Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-22
VIRGINIA'S HISTORY.
SEVERAL ABLE PAPERS READ BEFORE
The PUBLIC MEETING LAST NIGHT.
A Large Audience and Much Iaterest
stanifested--Tho Subjects Discussed
by Men Of Great Eminence.

The general meeting Of the Virginia HIS
torical Society held in the hall OF tho House
of Delegates last night was well attended,
and noarly all the seats in the auditorium
were filled. Many ladies were present.
Hon. W. W. Henry called the meeting
20 order. He stated that the society had
not been so prosperous IN the past as IL
might have been, and that they had decided
10 attempt new Departure namely. that
OF having papers read at their annual meet
ings so that tho interest OF the public might
be excited
Mercer Garrett. A. NJ, LID, OF the UNI
ysrsity of Virginia. who read an exceed
inplv interesting paper on the Early Bevo-
lutionary History OF virginia
vIRGSTA's PART.
The Professor, in bis address. which was
exceedingly we'll and carefully prepared,
showed the part the Old Dominion took IN
the Revolution. and quoted many eminent
historians on the subject. In his INTRO
ductory remarks 10 said that Nirglnlans
were often reproached by neglecting their
own history. and he feared the TepToach
was a Iust one. although much more IN
terest is now taken in such matters than
formerly. Private ancestry has fire.
ouently been made the subject OF chesp
witticismiin this State,p said the TT otes-
sor, but perish the day when the son Tor
gets his father" =,
Professor John y. Hanneman. A. NJ. and
Phi. d., OF Hampden-Sidney College, was
next introduced By Mr.. Henry. lie read a
paper on the Historic Elements in Virginia
Education and Literary Effort. The Key
note TO Virginia's intellectual past. he sac
in beginning, lies in what science teaches
of individuals-namely the principles OF
hereditary environments
THE STATES DIVISIONS.
He then explained how the State was
divided into five geographical sections
and how IL had originally been settled 6y
four race elements-the English. the
Scotch Irish, the Germans, and the French
Hucuenots. The negro would constitute
a fifth element ut is most striking
thing" he SAID, how the topography. OF
8 land affects and how economical
conditions create history III was
for this reason that the African slave was
hronobt 10 America. The contrast of New
England was here complete The colonlsts
there dwelt closely together, while IN VIZ
cinia the mode of life was entirely differ
ent. In both sections local selt-govern-
ment and liberty were dear 10 the people.
The speaker then told how the dlherent
race elements IN the state had anecleI ING
education OF the early Virelnlans ana eG-
blamed the origin of the various colleges
in Virginia.
WORK IN SOUTHERN HISTORY.
"Notes ON Present Work in Southern
History" by Professor William 7. Trent,
A NJ. Ph.D. University Of the South,
Seyanee. Tenn. was the next paper read.
TO one at all acquainted with the
southern people the reason Tor ther lndit-
ference TO history is plain, said the
sneaker in his own remarks. The num-
r ,,sot.rfnai gtn1guts the OLD SOiltn
was very small. and it was owing to this
that the historical societies arose. The
reason for this is plain. The immaturlty
of The country and ITS scattered popula-
tion account for this neglect. We ought
70 consider IL "A matter oil congratulatloh
that history is thought OF at all. More
over, the evil effects OF the late war cannot
he exaggerated.
The speaker in the course OF ms REMARKS
stated that there was no reason why women
should not assist in writing histories ana
expressed the hope that the time would
come when they would do this.
Our Virginia women of the Society for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
are not a whit behind those OF Maryland
IN tho appreciation of these things, added
the speaker while speaking on the line
The Professor then skctohed the recent
PROCESS of history III the South Atlantic
States, referring TO the different societies
luulNluuhlll anu bOlhIilbANN'iNS '4' -
tnem for their good work.
The Professor. in concluding, said that
he regretted TO state that 1t was an ex-
ceedingly difficult matter TO educate Elr-
GINA To the proper appreciation OF MS
. torical research.
IPITAPHs on ToMBsToNEs.
Professor j. l.. Hall, of William and
Mary College, next read paper entitled
"Cataiogue of Epitaphs on Ancient
Tonbstones in ork.
The Professor apologized for the melan-
choly nature of his subject which, he said,
was of a ghostly character and especially
inappropriate at tins peculiar season. His
Introductory remarks were full of dry
humor and caused laughter among his
auditors. Changing his style, the speaker
then in beautiful language assumed q
more serious tone.
The hand Of yandals aud of time is fast
chipping away the stones that mark the
resting places of our early heroes said
ne The speaker read long list of
prominent family names whose fore
fathers were sleeping IN the counties OF
York and James City.
shall we do nothing TO save the graves
of our ancestors ~ asked he. The dawn
of Il better day is breaking. This is en-
tirely feasible Give us veritable West
minister Abbey of Virginia. Manuscripts
have been forged often, inscriptions rarely.
"A large number oil the tOmbS IN or
around Williamsburg have armorlul bear
iprs. which in those days were genuine
and not obtained by the investigation of
detectives. The casual reader can also see
the effects of literary environments ON
many of the tombs which show that the
early Nirglnians were not all toX-hunters
and tavern frequenters."
Professor Hall was literally applauded
when be resumed his seat. His paper was
an exceedingly interesting one and greatly
enjoyed.
To-NIGuT's PROGRAMME.
Mr.. Henry announced the following pro-
gramme for the society tonight. after
which the meeting adjourned;
The First Election of Washington to
the House of Burgesses," by Hon. X. T.
Barton, Winchester. Va. Tho Old Brick
Church, Smithfeld, Va, Built in 1882" by
Hon. Il. =. Thomas. Smithtield, Va. ;
Richniond's First Academy, Projected by
NJ. Quesnay de Beaurepalre IN 1885, by
MIR. Richard Hayward Gaines. Richmond,
Va; Agriculture in Virginia During the
First Twenty Years of the Colony" by
Mr.. Philip A. Bruce, Nj. A., Richmond.
Va. "Some Unpublished Facts Relating
to Bacon's Rebellion in Accomac county,
Va" by Mr.. +. 7. Brent, Virginia;
"Thomas Hausford, the First American
Martyr to Liberty" by Mrs Annie Tucker
Tyler.
SAFE FOR THE TREASUReR'S OFFICE.
EMPLOYEES on City Hall Must Live In