The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-16
JAMESTOWN.
Tnsashss Inspired ~ = Wait " Jamestown
asla.A-Whss IL wss and What II Is-ssd
Aavagss - Ttne--Rsoantic scenes In
pestlc Prsse.



bound the Virginia peninsula has always
attracted the travellers attention, and In
deed nothine can be more different than
their appearance or the effect produced
upon the beholdsr. Blue and arrowy, the
breezy reach OF the York smacks Of the
bold and dashing freedom Of the salt sea
IL every aspect Is exhilarating; while the
James, its yellow waters winding away in
dreamy solitude, unsconseiously sleeps the
mind II saddening reyerie. II IL much to
be regretted that the Indian name was not
retained. Both are royal, but its majestic
volume would have more fittingly CON-
memorated the rude grandeur Of Powha-
tan, the menarch OF the American wilder
meas. than the petty absurdities Of the
English James. About thirty miles above
its mouth along the northern shore Is
JAMESTOWN ISLAND.
Eliptical In shape, it Is two and quarter
miles long and one mile wide, slashed by
the noxious marshes, whose miasma was
% deadly TO the unacclimated pioneers.
The storied isle Is spoken OF by historians
~ being q peninsula at the time OF the
settlement, but the separating creek Is now
continuous. The present owner Is a New
York marty, who acquired his title in pay
ment Of si6,000-a slight advance on the
offer OF those individuals who 27j years
ago stepped ashore and took unasked pos
session. But, then, how tempting must its
fertile extent, with Its pebbly beach and
well.wooded slopes, have appeared TO
the tempest-drlven adventures who
accidently struck the entrance to
the Chesapeake and finally anchored
opposite, May 13, A. d. 1907. 1t
would be supposed that the disastrous
attempts at Roanoke would have warned
the Colonies Of the consequences OF a
reckless use Of means and opportunities.
yet how near was Jamestown to sharing
Its fate. The hardy aud energetic Smith,
By the exercise Of abilities that few could
have displayed, alone saved this mustard
seed Of civilization from destruction. I'm
der his judicious management the colony
gained strength and confidence, and inmi-
grafton was encouraged.
TIE PIRsr FEMALES TO GRACE AMERICA.
In this connection 1t NAV interest the
general reader to know that Mrs. For
est and her maid, Annie Burras, were
the first European specimens OF femi-
nine humanity that ever graced Virgil
MAS shore. The marriage OF the lat
ter In 1905 inaugurated the matrimonial
operations carried on so successfully ever
since. Females had been taken along to
the Carolina settlement 10 1886, and ii Is
affecting to read that Virginia Dare, the
first white child ever born on the CONT
nent, closed her infant existence amid those
unknown horrors that left but one bleach
ing skeleton to tell the tale Of despair and
death. At this aye Of plenty and security
1t il difficult TO realize the hardships and
dangers through which the early settlers
passed. After Smiths departure In 1910
came the lOng-remembered "starving-
time" when the revolving necessity Of SUBJ
sisting on the dead was In some instances
resorfed to. The timely arrival Of aid,
however, and more prudent management.
regained prosperity, and thenceforward
Jamestown increased in size, wealth, and
importance until 1t became
THE LONDON OF THE COLONY.
In 1919 the first Assembly convened in the
city. The present system OF counties had
not been established, but each member
represented borough. The ploughshare
now turns up the scattered foundations OF
the first Angio-Saxon city built In the coun-
try, which, surviving the perils OF famine
and massacre, having developed into goodly
and fair proportions. was doomed to perish
by the flames Of civil war. TN the south
western extremity Of the island, about
fifty wards from the acknowledgements
ing river, stands In melancholy pictu-
resaueness the ruins OF the old church,
like some old tottering patriarch among
the graves OF his departed children.
Rank weeds choke the yard and
cover the tOmbs, from which, at
the intrusive step, the timid hare
bounds away and vines Chamber up the
walls OF the shattered tower, while the
passing gusts occasionally toss down the
ioosened bricks. The tombstones are all
badly broken apd clipped, and the inscrip-
tions scarcely legible. A natural curiosity
has been formed by the trunk Of large
tree tapping q slab, which, lifted by its
growth, Is held in u horizontal position.
tTis sad 10 see these relies of by-gOne Nir-
ginia thus crumbling away beneath the
wheel OF time, and 1t Is irritating TO wit
ness the callous indifference to their ne
elected condition, but tits shocking to see
their decay fastened by the depredation'
OF that modern vandal,
Tue RELIC-HUNTER.
At the Tinsley farm, on York river, liz
teen miles distant, can be seen an old ant
much-defaced tombstone, leaning agalns
a tree, " Sacred to the Memory Of Nathanie
Bacon and Wife," evidently OF the tamil.
Of the so-called rebel who destroyed
Jamestown. The plough and harrow
have long since obliterated the mound oil
which 1t rested and desecrated the dus
reposing beneath. But not all the as
sociations OF Jamestown are so depressing
Who has not heard Of Pocahontas, Vir
ginla's princess, or has ever regarded hel
but as his ideal OF noble heroism an(
womanly tenderness Elizabeth the rule
OF a mighty nation and the champion, Of
free religion, whose name conferred re
nown on the new discovered shores, out o
jealousy sent blood relation to the scat
fold and refused forgiveness to remorse
stricken and dying subject.
PocAH0NTAs,
the olive branch Of an unbroken wild, gro
ming through the storm and midnight Of
savage forest, succored the exterminator
OF her race and shielded from her father
vengeance his most formidable enemy. TIL
impressive ceremonies OF her marriage :
Rolf took place In 1913, and year later th
still more solemn rites Of baptism were pei
formed aud the Christian name OF Rebecc
given. The sere desolation OF winter no,
blights the celebrated spot and the oil
tower stands out in naked relief, while til
leafless trees stretch out their bare arms |
futile protection. When day has gone an
darkness mystifes the sight the scene
OF awe. An indistinct and shapelei
pass marks the position Of the ruined ten
le, the trees seem gigantic skeletons on
Jlned upon the shadows, and phosphore.
cent lights CLEAN among the tombs; at Ia
tervals on the silence breaks the hoars
honk Of the Wild goose, and the fitting b
OF q spectral owl lifts the eye In time {
catch the luminous wake Of some pale me
teor dlssolying In the night.
II thou would'st view fair Mslrose aright,
Go visit II by the pale moonlight"
But 10 see jamestown when eyerythin,