The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-12
ENGLISH OCCUPANCY.
PROF. THOM APPEARED BEFORE
THE "a. p. v. A." LAST NIGHT.
A Rsprsssntativs Audience Was Present.
The Lecture Was Delivered In the
Capitol Building.

Professor William Taylor Thorn deliv-
cred his lecture entitled, "Prelminaries
of English Occupancy aud Settlement OF
North Carolina" before the Association
for the Preservation OF Virginia Anti
duties. In the hall OF the House OF Dele
gates, last evening.
The lecture. which is the first of
series to be given this winter under the
ausplces OF the association, was prepared
by Professor Thorn especially for TINS
occasion. and was last evening delivered
for the first time.
The main body OF the hall was crowded
by the members of the association anu
their friends. and both galleries were aIso
0lled. The audience was one OF the most
cultured and refined ever gathered To-
gethcr in this city.
THE INTRODUCTION.
Ar $40 o'clock Mr.. Il. V. Valentine en-
tered the hall with PROFESSOR lhoin'
whom no conducted to the speaker 3
stand. Both gen tlemen were loudly APP
plauded Mr.. Valentine tnen arose, anu
in introducing Professor Thorn. spoke as
follows:
IL 70 with great pleasure that welcome
in the name OF the society, our guests
who have honored us by their presence
here this evening. 1t Is peculiarly nttins
that they should be with us on TINS &c
cason. Who, / may ask, should nave
livelier interest in the history OF the
discovery and colonization OF this land or
ours than the descendants OF those who
made Virginia?
This is an age of investigation in all
matters connected with history. Archae-
olcgists and historians have been eagerly
searching for material from which 10
construct a true history of the ancient
nations of the world. Hidden treasures
have been unearthed on the banks OF
the Euphrates. in the tombs or Egypt,
in classic Greece, in the Islands OF the
Mediterranean, and in what was once I'M
peral Rome.
Now, Virginia has a history-a glorious
history-not, as some suppose, based on
legends but on facts. These facts must
be established and taught.
THE OBJECT
This society is for the preservation. or
Virginia Notwithstanding everything
"a large field! and we have much work
before US. But who is TO search out these
facts connected with the history of Nir-
ginia, arrange them and honestly present
them?
With due regard to the modern writers
OF Colonial, Revolutionary and more re-
cent history, l think it would be good
precauton to have a proof-reader who
would not only correct typographical err
r)rs But errors of commission and omis-
sion-errors which some historrns are
likely TO fall into when confronting facts.
Now. from the programme announcing
tie series Of addresses which arc TO be
delivered before the society this season, |
feel justified in believing that We are TO
have not only instructive and interesting
talks about Virginia. but honest historical
material upon which we can rely.
VIRGINIA HISTORY.
Some very well-meaning people have an
idea that Virginia Is claiming more his
tory than she is entitled 10. TO all such
we simply say. BE kind enough TO put
yourselves to the trouble to read the
faithful copies of the records which have
been and are now being published by
the Virginia Historical Society. the VIII
liam and Mary College Magazine and
other publications OF a similar character"
Among those who have made contribu-
tons of Importance TO the history of Nlr-
ginia are some who have won distinction
In other fields OF usefulness. The gentle
man who Is to instruct and entertain us
tonight has spent many of his best years
In pathological studies. and to his con-
tribut.ons In this department of learning
will, ! trust, in the future be added much
of value connected with the history o,
his native State.
In addition to his classical learning and
literary attainments. he has made him
self familiar with the origin and history
OF that movement which gave to Virginia
a race of men whose influence on civli-
cation will be felt for ages to come.
Professor William Taylor Thorn needs
no Introduction to this audience. We
sincerely thank him for his presence here
tonight.
PROFESSOR THoN