Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14


The Genesis Of the United States.
A Narrative OF the Movement in Eng
land 1605-1Gl6, which resulted in the
Plantation of North America by Eng
lshmen, Disclosing the Contest be-
tween England and Spain for the Pos
session of the Soil now occupied by
the United States of America, set
forth through Series Of Historical
MSS. now first printed, together with
a reissue Of rare contemporaneous
tracts, Accompanied by Photograph
cal Memoranda, Notes, and Brief Bio
graphies, collected, arranged, and
edited by ALEXANDER Brown, Mem
Der Of the Virginia Historical Society
and Of the American Historical Asso-
citation Fellow of the Royal Society
of England with 100 portraits, maps,
and plans, IN two volumes. Boston
and New York: HoUGHTOS, MWFLIN
& Co. The Riverside Press. Cam
bridge: 1890.
Mr.. Brown ID Virginian who resides
at Union Hill, Nelson county. From
time to time we have printed in these
columns many contributions from him
discussing historical and genealogical
questions. He is of Scotch descent, his
grandfather, General ALEXANDER BRowS,
having come to Virginia in 1911 and
married a sister Of the late Hon. WILLIAM
@. RIyEs.
The author devoted fourteen years Of
his life to the collection and editing OF
the papers that appear in these two large
volumes. His labor deserves the high
est recognition. II was patient. scho-
larly, and laborious research into the
musty documents of American and Euro
pean Libraries, and he has brought to
light some priceless treasures, and has
handled them with skill and affection.
70 Virginians at least, possibly to all
readers, the most valuable feature Of the
work is the Brief Biographies, in which
is given an account of every parsonage
of importance referred TO in the twoyol-
umes.
Mr.. Brown discredits a good deal Of
Captain JOHN SMITHS General Historic
OF Virginia. We fail to find under the
caption "PooAHoNrAs" or that Of
"PowHATAN" any reference to PocA-
HoYTAs saving the life of Captain SMITH.
The notes, comments, and obserya-
tons of the author, which run through
ont the book, are marked by great cru
dition aud no little originality. lie has
his own opinions about everything, but
generally gives the evidence which de-
cides him in his conclusions.
The Gverage man cannot possibly under
stand at what vast expenditure OF time and
with what great mental strain work Of
this character is produced. But it is
love otthe antique, the fascination of dis
covery, that carries the author through,
and We hope he may have the pleasure
Of knowing that his work is eagerly
sought for by all students OF American
history.
F0lrer ds Hundred. The Story OF a |
Virginia Plantation. BY Mrs. Burton 4
HARRISON, author OF "The Anglo /
maniacs, etc. etc., etc. New York /
Cassell Publishing Company
This choicely- named little volume in /
its tasteful garb of blue and gold, bear
ing on It's sides the laurel of the South, /
will be found one of the most acceptable
OF its popular authoress. Al
her predatory note " she states
. that while the main incidents OF the
story are based upon facts more or less
known in the southern country, she has
n no case fitted them to actual PERSONAL
les OF localities yet whilst this as a
generality Is true yet many local de-
personalities, and incidents
sill be found familiar to those "to the
manner born, as was the accomplished
'uthoress, familiarly known to our own
'eople before and during the late war
$ Miss CONSTANCE CARY. The scene is
aid on the banks OF the lower James
liver, and the story opens with a vivid
'icture OF plantation life OF the
eriod just preceding tho war, and is
ontinued with faithful portrayal Of
hs privations and sacrifices Of that
ventful period.
There Is enough OF plot to enlist the