The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03
in the confederation.s


From the German of Dr. Johann
David Schoepf. Translated by Alfred
]. Morrison. OF Hampdcn- Sidney Col
lege. Published by William ]. Camp
bell OF Philadelphia $500.
This book Is a most important work
from historical point of view. az II
records observations made during the
years 17s3-17s4 by DIR. David Schoepf,
graduate of the University OF Erlan-
gen, who was appointed, in 17T7, chief
surgeon to the Ansbach troops In the
British army. After peace had been
declared between the American Col
onies and Great Britain, DR.. Schoepf
travelled through the Middle and
Southern States and the Bahamas.
Dr.. Schoepf was a man Of science,
the first formal student of American
geology. But besides being a man OF
specialized, minutely trained intelli-
gence. he was an observer OF great
good sense and good judgment. and
his American Notes" for the year after
the Revolution arc interesting through
out, a work which has been almost
entirely overlooked by the historians
and yet forming of Itself one of the
hest histories for that period. These
volumes are undoubtedly the most VAL
liable of their sort for that time-read
able, authoritative, comprehensive full
OF wit, In some respects altogether
unique.
or special value to the student of
Virginia history are the pages devoted
to DR.. Schocpfs travels through thIa
State, and DR.. Morrison's work OF
translation takes on an added value
because OF Its Importance In establish
ing facts through the recorded i'm
pressions of scholar who appears
to have been an excellent Judge of
conditions and people.
He notes that he entered the State
at Leesburg, and comments on the
proposed establishment there of
Latin school. as he considers n lack OF
suitable schools an American draw
back
He mentions the physical features Of
the county in Virginia. and says that
on the plantation next after tobacco,
the most important crop is maize. the
chief nourishment of the family. the
negroes, and the large and small stock:
for everything lives on corn Finally,
tobacco pays for what they need be-
sides. contingencies and luxuries; to-
bacco pays the taxes, gives the women
their indispensable silks and lnces,
procures other foreign wares, coffee,
tea. sugar, drugs, anC everything
which Is not produced at home. Not
withstanding tobacco Is the especial
source OF the prosperity these
planters, maize is OF no less import
ance to them"
Fredericksburg is referred to as n
town of middlng size and Of the
iron works near the falls Of the Rap
pahannock River, DIR. Schoepf| says
that they are the finest and most
considerable In North America" Crops,
insects. birds. flowers and trees along
his route are written of In a way
which exhibits the traveller in the light
of keen collector. He does not fail
to tell what he thinks Of the bad roads
in Virginia, rendering the way from
Fredericksburg to Richmond. by Han.
overtown, a tedious process.
Progressive thermometers of to-day
may be Interested to know Low their
city impressed a visitor to IL shortly
after the close of the American Revo-
luton. This Is DR.. schoepfs idea of
the Virginia capital of that day: Z.
2 ''Richmond stands on the hilly banks