The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-16

In the valuable address delivered hy 'ro-
Hampden Sidney G. llege on the subject o.
the history Of that venerable institution. this
address having been published in q recent
number o. the Louisville Christian Observer.
where we find it. there is an interesting
reference 10 the difference in character be-
tween the two streams of population that
first settled the Valley and Tidewater yir-
ginia respectively. the one represented for
over a century in William and Mary College
the other still represented in Hampden-
Sidney. which derived its name from that
indomitable love Of liberty and.that stern de-
votion to principle which animated the
spirits of the descendants of the Scotch Irish
at the time of the Revolution.
The tides of population from which the
Virginians Of today are sprung followed in
the early colonization the line of the streams.
The pure English stock planted itself on the
banks of the James and from thence spread
TO the fertile lands Of the Pamunkey. the
Rappahannoek and the otomac gradually
occupying every loot o. ground that was
adapted TO the culture of tobacco. The
SEQ .ch-irsh descended from ! ennsylvania
and. guided by tie Shenandoah took posses
sion OF the country situated ut the head
waters Of that liver.
These have been the two controlling social
forces in the general history of the State; on
tie one hand. the pure English strain. with
its traditions Of comfort, luxury and hospi-
tally, its keen sense of honor. lofty senti-
ment, reckless courage, brilliant intellect.
love of liberty AID hatred of tyranny; on the
other. the strain Of the Old Coyensnters.
modified by transplantaton to Ireland and
afterwards 20 America, but still retaining its
ancient bent. stern. serious, austere, exalt-
ing principle above the reach of tempta-
tions and seductions, nfexible in the sense Of
duty, immoyable in devotion TO freedom and
always prepared to sacrifice life itself upon
the altar of country.
Is it strange that Commonwealth in which
two such elements Of population met and
partly.bended. should have presented social
life that is unique in the history of mankind.
Far smaller in yo ume was the INFUSION of
HuguenOts who. to es ape persecution, immi-
grated to Virginia and were seated on the
upper James. The French strain thus intro
ducei has nevertheless left its mark upon the
social spirit Of the State
BY studying the lives of the celebrated
men of irginia in the course Of the last hun
dred years we can easily detect how deeply
the inherited traits Of the original English.
Scotch and French blood have entered into
the character of our people. The English
traits are the most conspicuous because
English blood predominates in our popula-
ton. Washington and Lee are pre-eminent
representatives of this strain, and are not TO
be distinguished in the general outlines of
their characters from that type which has
given TO England its chief claim to the re-
spect and gratitude of mankind, the type of
the Wellingtons, the type which subordinates
personal ambition to duty, and is satisfied
with serving the State.
Very many names of famous Virgiuians
might be mentioned which fifty represent the |
ScOtch-lrish character in its very highest de- |
yelopment Upon our Huguenot stock the |
name OF MaurY has cast lasting distinction.
In the gay and winning temper of that great |
man, the exquisite perspicacity of his style, |
the fertility and suggestiyeness Of his mind. |
the astonishing ease with which he made his |
scientific discoveries, all disclose his French |
origin. In modified form many of the same |
traits have been observable in the descendants |
Of the Huguenot blood who have played a
and useful part in the history of |
the tate.
Now that the barriers that have kept the
descent of the Virginia people pure have been
thrown down, it will be a curious study for
he iu,ure historian 10 examine the changes
n social habit and thought that must ineyi-
ably follow.