The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21
Bruce's Economic History Of Virginia in
the Seventeenth Century

Professor James A. Doyle, one OF the
most distinguished OF modern English
historical scholars and incumbent or The
chair OF history In one Of the great En-
glish Universities In a recent review or
the Economic History OF virginia m
the Seventeenth Century" by Mr. Phlhp
A. Bruce. OF this city, FOR the English
Historical Review. the leading organ OF
historical work in England, thus writes
I'm part Of Mr.. Bruces recently publish
ed work
American historical literature has OF
late years been fertile In sound, carofuI,
unpretending monographs, and OF sucn
It would be difficult TO find better
specimen than tho present work. NO
thing can be more business-hke than
the manner in which Mr.. Bruce deals
with the authorities whom no has ran
sacked. There Is no paradng OF learn
iny. but every book. pamphlet, state
paper. or collection OF letters bearing
on the question IN hand has been stun
led and the references are so given
that the reader can see at q glance the
character and amount of the evidence
whercon each statement rests. More
over. despite certain dryness necessa-
rily attaching 70 his subject. Mr. Bruce
has made his book thoroughly interest
ing. and that By the most legitimate
means. In that respect he compare
favourable with a book closely SINH
lar IN subject and method which / no.
tice1 not very long ago. Mr. Weeden's
Economic History OF New England.
Mr.. Weeden was not content TO trust 90
the real merits which his book pos
sessed in its laborious and accurate char
acter. but must need enliven his pages
now and again with little bits Of smart
writing. sounding as II they had wandered
by some strange chance out OF the pages
OF a Society newspaper. Mr.. Bruce
sticks almost austerely 10 the business
like side Of his subject; Yet he wholly
saves himself from dulness by the DE-
rectness and force Of his style the re-
markable skill with which he has ar
ranged his heterogeneous material ami
above an the clearness with which he
sees and brings out the relations be-
tween the early economical condition or
Virginia and wider historical issues con-
nected Herewith. Thus Mr. Bruce shows
how the whole life OF Virginia. social
and economical was determined by the
fitness Of the soil for producing tobacco
and by the geographical popularity or
the country. which gave every planter
a wharf within easy reach n his own
door. and rendered tho establishment OK
towns superflous and even inconvenient.
The attempts of the Legislature 10 check
these tendencies by so-called cohabifa-
fion acts and by ging varied
forms Of productive industry and the
total failure which attended an such eff
forts. are among the most interesting
and instructive portions OF Mr.. Bruce
book.
ar. Bruce. too. IS strong whore
snecialist IS often weak. ithout ever
wandering beyond his subject be never
loses sight Of its bearing on the wider
issues of history. Ard wherever ana de-
r,,rd BE- made on the judicial faculties
of the historian DE clearly shows thar
be IA capable 81 something higher than
nero specialism No Engllshman need
nelx for a fairor and more temperate
statement OF the attitude which me
homo government took ND towards
colonial trade than IS given by MT.
Bruce (vol f. p. 2f e..