| | 1 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | UVA-LIB-BoardOfVisitorsMinutes | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:25 a.m., on Friday, February 7, 1997,
in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present:
Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Mortimer M. Caplin, Charles M. Caravati, Jr.,
Champ Clark, Warner N. Dalhouse, William H. Goodwin, Jr., T.
Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons,
Evans B. Jessee, Arnold H. Leon, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Albert
H. Small, and Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy. John T. Casteen, III,
Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge,
Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms.
Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W.
Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also
present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 2 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | UVA-LIB-BoardOfVisitorsMinutes | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, April 11, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bales were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 3 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | UVA-LIB-BoardOfVisitorsMinutes | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, June 13, 1997, in
the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G.
Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., Mrs. Elsie Goodwin
Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III,
Terence P. Ross, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, and Henry L. Valentine,
II. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J.
Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W.
Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D.
Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and
Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 4 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | UVA-LIB-BoardOfVisitorsMinutes | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:00 a.m., on Friday, November 7, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 5 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) February 7, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:25 a.m., on Friday, February 7, 1997,
in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present:
Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Mortimer M. Caplin, Charles M. Caravati, Jr.,
Champ Clark, Warner N. Dalhouse, William H. Goodwin, Jr., T.
Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons,
Evans B. Jessee, Arnold H. Leon, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Albert
H. Small, and Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy. John T. Casteen, III,
Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge,
Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms.
Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W.
Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also
present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 6 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) April 11, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, April 11, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bales were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 7 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) June 13, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, June 13, 1997, in
the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G.
Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., Mrs. Elsie Goodwin
Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III,
Terence P. Ross, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, and Henry L. Valentine,
II. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J.
Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W.
Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D.
Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and
Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 8 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) November 7, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:00 a.m., on Friday, November 7, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 9 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) February 7, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:25 a.m., on Friday, February 7, 1997,
in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present:
Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Mortimer M. Caplin, Charles M. Caravati, Jr.,
Champ Clark, Warner N. Dalhouse, William H. Goodwin, Jr., T.
Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons,
Evans B. Jessee, Arnold H. Leon, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Albert
H. Small, and Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy. John T. Casteen, III,
Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge,
Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms.
Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W.
Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also
present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 10 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) April 11, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, April 11, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Charles F. Irons, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bales were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 11 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) June 13, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
met, in Open Session, at 8:30 a.m., on Friday, June 13, 1997, in
the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons
present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin
K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G.
Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., Mrs. Elsie Goodwin
Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III,
Terence P. Ross, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, and Henry L. Valentine,
II. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J.
Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W.
Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D.
Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and
Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 12 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes (1997) November 7, 1997 | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia::Board of Visitors | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-ModEngl | | | | Description: | The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met, in Open Session, at 8:00 a.m., on Friday, November 7, 1997, in the East Oval Room of the Rotunda with the following persons present: Hovey S. Dabney, Rector, John P. Ackerly, III, Franklin K. Birckhead, Charles M. Caravati, Jr., Champ Clark, William G. Crutchfield, Jr., William H. Goodwin, Jr., T. Keister Greer, Mrs. Elsie Goodwin Holland, Miss Kristine L. LaLonde, C. Wilson McNeely, III, Terence P. Ross, Albert H. Small, Ms. Elizabeth A. Twohy, Henry L. Valentine, II, Walter F. Walker, and James C. Wheat, III. John T. Casteen, III, Alexander G. Gilliam, Jr., Paul J. Forch, Leonard W. Sandridge, Jr., Peter W. Low, Robert W. Cantrell, Ms. Polley McClure, Ms. Colette Capone, Robert D. Sweeney, Ernest H. Ern, William W. Harmon, Don E. Detmer, and Ms. Jeanne Flippo Bailes were also present. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 13 | Author: | Bird
Robert Montgomery
1806-1854 | Add | | | Title: | The Hawks of Hawk-hollow | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | America is especially the land of change. From
the moment of discovery, its history has been a
record of convulsions, such as necessarily attend
a transition from barbarism to civilization; and to
the end of time, it will witness those revolutions in
society, which arise in a community unshackled
by the restraints of prerogative. As no law of
primogeniture can ever entail the distinctions meritoriously
won, or the wealth painfully amassed, by
a single individual, upon a line of descendants, the
mutations in the condition of families will be perpetual.
The Dives of to-day will be the Diogenes
of to-morrow; and the `man of the tub' will often
live to see his children change place with those of
the palace-builder. As it has been, so will it be,—
“Now up, now doun, as boket in a well;”
and the honoured and admired of one generation
will be forgotten among the moth-lived luminaries
of the next. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 16 | Author: | Brainard
John G. C.
(John Gardiner Calkins)
1796-1828 | Add | | | Title: | Letters Found in the Ruins of Fort Braddock, Including an Interesting American Tale | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | IT is now spring—the buds are bursting
through all the wilderness about me; but the cold
rains which are constantly descending, make my
condition so cheerless, that I write to you merely
to pass the time. Why I was doomed to spend my
winter here so solitary, or when I shall have the
good luck to shift my quarters, for any other spot,
is past my skill to divine. Any other spot—the
Arkansas, the Rio Colorada, the Council Bluffs,
the Yellow Stone, any place but this. Was I dangerous
to government, that they should have contrived
for one poor subaltern, this Siberian banishment,
where I am ingeniously confined, not by
a guard placed over me, but by having the command
of about five and twenty men, that the spring
discovers in a uniform of rags. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 17 | Author: | Briggs
Charles F.
(Charles Frederick)
1804-1877 | Add | | | Title: | The Adventures of Harry Franco | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | It is a generally received opinion in some parts
of the world, that a man must of necessity have
had ancestors; but, in our truly independent
country, we contrive to get along very well without
them. That strange race, called Aristocrats,
it is said, consider every body as nobody, unless
they can boast of at least a dozen ancestors. These
lofty people would have scorned an alliance with
a parvenu like Adam, of course. What a fortunate
circumstance for their high mightinesses, that
they were not born in the early ages. No antediluvian
family would have been entitled to the
slightest consideration from them. When the
world was only two thousand years old, it is
melancholy to reflect, its surface was covered with
nobodies; men of yesterday, without an ancestry
worth speaking of. It is not to be wondered at,
that such a set of upstarts should have caused the
flood; nothing less would have washed away their
vulgarity, to say nothing of their sins. Augustus de Satinett was a jobber; a choicer
spirit the region of Hanover square boasted not.
Pearl street and Maiden Lane may have known
his equal, his superior never. He had risen from
junior clerk to junior partner, in one of the oldest
firms. The best blood of the revolution flowed in
his veins; his mother was a Van Buster, his father
a de Satinett; a more remote ancestry, or a more
noble, it were vain to desire. Augustus had a noble
soul, it was a seven quarter full; his virtues
were all his own, and they were dyed in the wool;
his vices were those of his age—they were dyed
in the cloth. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 18 | Author: | Briggs
Charles F.
(Charles Frederick)
1804-1877 | Add | | | Title: | The Adventures of Harry Franco | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | It was a broiling hot day, and as I toiled along
through the dusty streets of Brooklyn towards
the ferry, I almost wished myself back again upon
the blue sea. Dear Sir—This is to inform you as I
have entered in Uncle Sam's service, and have
took three month's advance. I have kept money
enough to have a good drunk, and the rest I send
to you. Keep it and spend it for my sake. I wanted
to of given you more, but that young woman,
blast her—but never say die. So no more at present
till death, and don't forget your old shipmate, Is it true that my dear boy is alive and
well! O, Harry, I have read your letter over and
over; and your poor sister has read it, and cried
over it, and prayed over it. I put it under my
pillow when I lay down at night, that I may be
able to press it to my lips when I wake in the
morning. Your father tells me it is weak in me
to do so, but it is a weakness caused by the
strength of my love for you. O, Harry, my dear
boy, I have had such dreams about you! but
they were only dreams, and I will not distress you
by relating them. Let us give thanks to our
heavenly Father for all his mercies. When we
received your letter, it was my wish to return
thanks publicly through Doctor Slospoken; but
your father would not give his consent. What
the neighbors all thought, I cannot say. But my
dear Harry, why did you not come home? to
your own home? Do not think, my dear child,
that you will be more welcome to your home and
your mother's heart, if you bring the wealth of
the Indies with you. If you be covered with
jewels your mother will not see them, and if you
be clothed in rags, she will only see her child. Your letter has made us all happy; how
happy I cannot express; for we had mourned for
you as one that was dead. I cannot, in a letter,
relate to you all that has been said and done since
we heard from you; but may be assured we
have been almost beside ourselves with joy, and
all our talk has been, Harry, Harry, Harry. “My conscience upbraids me with having
broken the golden rule, in my intercourse with
you, and I cannot allow you to leave me, under a
false impression of my feelings. I am afraid I
have not been sufficiently plain, when you have
spoken to me on the subject, in giving you to understand
that my mind is unalterably fixed, never
to unite myself to one, whose heart has not been
bowed under the conscious burden of his sins;
for my promise has been passed, mentally only,
I own, but I cannot break it. It is registered
above. Had I known you before the vow was
made, perhaps it never would have been; but it
is, and I am bound by it. Our hands, dear Harry,
may never be united, but our hearts may be.
I cannot dissimulate, I do love you; how well I
love you, let this confession witness. If it be sinful
in me, I trust that He, in whom is all my trust,
will pardon me, and deliver me from my bondage.
And my constant prayer to Him is, that he will
bring you to the foot of that Cross, where alone I
can meet you. “Immediately on the receipt of this, you
will destroy all the blank acceptances of Marisett
and Co., which may remain in your hands.
Make no farther contracts of any description,
for account of our house, but hold yourself in
readiness to return to New York. “Since our last, of the 28th ult., we have
come to the determination of stopping payment.
It may be necessary for us to make an assignment;
if so, we will advise you farther, and remain, “We are without any of your valued favors
since we acknowledged yours of the 14th.
You have already been informed of the stoppage
of our house; and I have now to inform you, that
in consequence of our Mr. Garvey having used
the name of the firm to a very great extent, in
his private land operations, our liabilities are
found greatly to exceed our assets. Our senior
partner, I am concerned to add, is completely
prostrated by this event, and unable to afford me
the aid which I require in adjusting the affairs of
the concern. All the circumstances considered, I
think it will be advisable for you to return to
New York as soon as you can bring matters to a
close at New Orleans. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 19 | Author: | Child
Lydia Maria Francis
1802-1880 | Add | | | Title: | Hobomok | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | I NEVER view the thriving villages of New England,
which speak so forcibly to the heart, of happiness
and prosperity, without feeling a glow of national
pride, as I say, “this is my own, my native
land.” A long train of associations are connected
with her picturesque rivers, as they repose in their
peaceful loveliness, the broad and sparkling mirror of
the heavens,—and with the cultivated environs of her
busy cities, which seem every where blushing into a
perfect Eden of fruit and flowers. The remembrance
of what we have been, comes rushing on the heart in
powerful and happy contrast. In most nations the
path of antiquity is shrouded in darkness, rendered
more visible by the wild, fantastic light of fable;
but with us, the vista of time is luminous to its remotest
point. Each succeeding year has left its footsteps
distinct upon the soil, and the cold dew of our chilling
dawn is still visible beneath the mid-day sun. Two
centuries only have elapsed, since our most beautiful
villages reposed in the undisturbed grandeur of nature;—when
the scenes now rendered classic by literary
associations, or resounding with the din of commerce,
echoed nought but the song of the hunter, or
the fleet tread of the wild deer. God was here in his
holy temple, and the whole earth kept silence before
him! But the voice of prayer was soon to be heard in
the desert. The sun, which for ages beyond the memory
of man had gazed on the strange, fearful worship
of the Great Spirit of the wilderness, was soon to
shed its splendor upon the altars of the living God.
That light, which had arisen amid the darkness of
Europe, stretched its long, luminous track across the
Atlantic, till the summits of the western world became
tinged with its brightness. During many long,
long ages of gloom and corruption, it seemed as if the
pure flame of religion was every where quenched in
blood;—but the watchful vestal had kept the sacred
flame still burning deeply and fervently. Men, stern
and unyielding, brought it hither in their own bosom,
and amid desolation and poverty they kindled it on the
shrine of Jevovah. In this enlightened and liberal
age, it is perhaps too fashionable to look back upon
those early sufferers in the cause of the Reformation,
as a band of dark, discontented bigots. Without
doubt, there were many broad, deep shadows in their
characters, but there was likewise bold and powerful
light. The peculiarities of their situation occasioned
most of their faults, and atoned for them. They were
struck off from a learned, opulent, and powerful nation,
under circumstances which goaded and lacerated
them almost to ferocity;—and it is no wonder that
men who fled from oppression in their own country, to
all the hardships of a remote and dreary province,
should have exhibited a deep mixture of exclusive,
bitter, and morose passions. To us indeed, most of
the points for which they so strenuously contended,
must appear exceedingly absurd and trifling; and we
cannot forbear a smile that vigorous and cultivated
minds should have looked upon the signing of the
cross with so much horror and detestation. But the
heart pays involuntary tribute to conscientious, persevering
fortitude, in what cause soever it may be displayed.
At this impartial period we view the sound
policy and unwearied zeal with which the Jesuits endeavored
to rebuild their decaying church, with almost
as much admiration as we do the noble spirit of
reaction which it produced. Whatever merit may be
attached to the cause of our forefathers, the mighty
effort which they made for its support is truly wonderful;
and whatever might have been their defects,
they certainly possessed excellencies, which peculiarly
fitted them for a van-guard in the proud and rapid
march of freedom. The bold outlines of their character
alone remain to us. The varying tints of domestic
detail are already concealed by the ivy which
clusters around the tablets of our recent history.
Some of these have lately been unfolded in an old,
worn-out manuscript, which accidentally came in my
way. It was written by one of my ancestors who fled
with the persecuted nonconformists from the Isle of
Wight, and about the middle of June, 1629, arrived at
Naumkeak on the eastern shore of Massachusetts.
Every one acquainted with our early history remembers
the wretched state in which they found the
scanty remnant of their brethren at that place. I
shall, therefore, pass over the young man's dreary account
of sickness and distress, and shall likewise take
the liberty of substituting my own expressions for his
antiquated and almost unintelligible style. “This comes to reminde you of one you sometime
knew at Plimouth. One to whome the remembrance
of your comely face and gratious behaviour, hath
proved a very sweete savour. Many times I have
thought to write to you, and straightnesse of time only
hath prevented. There is much to doe at this seasone,
and wee have reason to rejoyce, though with fier
and trembling, that we have wherewithal to worke. “Wheras Mr. Collier hathe beene supposed to
blame concerning some businesse he hath of late endeavoured
to transacte for Mr. Hopkins, this cometh
to certifie that he did faithfully performe his dutie,
and moreover that his great modestie did prevente his
understanding many hints, until I spoke even as he
hath represented. Wherefore, if there be oughte unseemly
in this, it lieth on my shoulders. “I againe take up my penn to write upon the same
paper you gave me when I left you, and tolde me
thereupon to write my thoughts in the deserte. Alas,
what few I have, are sad ones. I remember you once
saide that Shakspeare would have beene the same
greate poet if he had been nurtured in a Puritan wildernesse.
But indeed it is harde for incense to rise
in a colde, heavy atmosphere, or for the buds of fancie
to put forth, where the heartes of men are as harde
and sterile as their unploughed soile. You will wonder
to hear me complain, who have heretofore beene
so proud of my cheerfulnesse. Alas, howe often is
pride the cause of things whereunto we give a better
name. Perhaps I have trusted too muche to my owne
strengthe in this matter, and Heaven is nowe pleased
to send a more bitter dispensation, wherewithal to
convince me of my weakness. I woulde tell you
more, venerable parente, but Mr. Brown will conveye
this to your hande, and he will saye much, that I cannot
finde hearte or roome for. The settlement of this
Western Worlde seemeth to goe on fast now that soe
many men of greate wisdome and antient blood are
employed therein. They saye much concerning our
holie church being the Babylone of olde, and that
vials of fierce wrath are readie to be poured out upon
her. If the prophecies of these mistaken men are to
be fulfilled, God grante I be not on earthe to witnesse
it. My dear mother is wasting awaye, though I hope
she will long live to comforte me. She hath often
spoken of you lately. A fewe dayes agone, she said
she shoulde die happier if her grey-haired father
coulde shed a tear upon her grave. I well know that
when that daye does come, we shall both shed many
bitter tears. I must leave some space in this paper
for her feeble hande to fill. The Lord have you in
His holie keeping till your dutifull grandchilde is
againe blessed with the sighte of your countenance. “I knowe nott wherewithal to address you, for my
hearte is full, and my hande trembleth with weaknesse.
My kinde Mary is mistaken in thinking I shall
long sojourne upon Earthe. I see the grave opening
before me, but I feel that I cannot descend thereunto
till I have humbly on my knees asked the forgiveness
of my offended father. He who hath made man's
hearte to suffer, alone knoweth the wretchedness of
mine when I have thought of your solitary old age.
Pardon, I beseech you, my youthfull follie and disobedience,
and doe not take offence if I write that the
husbande for whose sake I have suffered much, hath
been through life a kinde and tender helpe-meete; for
I knowe it will comforte you to think upon this, when
I am dead and gone. I would saye much more, but
though my soule is strong in affection for you, my
body is weake. God Almighty bless you, is the
prayer of “Manie thoughts crowde into my hearte, when I
take upp my pen to write to you. Straightwaye my
deare wife, long in her grave, cometh before me, and
bringeth the remembrance of your owne babie face,
as you sometime lay suckling in her arms. The
bloode of anciente men floweth slow, and the edge of
feeling groweth blunte: but heavie thoughts will rise
on the surface of the colde streame, and memorie will
probe the wounded hearte with her sharpe lancett.
There hath been much wronge betweene us, my deare
childe, and I feel that I trode too harshlie on your
young hearte: but it maye nott be mended. I have
had many kinde thoughts of you, though I have locked
them up with the keye of pride. The visit of Mr.
Brown was very grievious unto me, inasmuch as he
tolde me more certainly than I had known before.
that you were going downe to the grave. Well, my
childe, `it is a bourne from whence no traveller returns.'
My hande trembleth while I write this, and I
feel that I too am hastening thither. Maye we meete
in eternitie. The tears dropp on the paper when I
think we shall meete no more in time. Give my fervente
love to Mary. She is too sweete a blossom to
bloome in the deserte. Mr. Brown tolde me much
that grieved me to hear. He is a man of porte and
parts, and peradventure she maye see the time when
her dutie and inclination will meete together. The
greye hairs of her olde Grandefather maye be laide
in the duste before that time; but she will finde he
hath nott forgotten her sweete countenance and gratious
behaviour. I am gladd you have founde a kinde
helpe-meete in Mr. Conant. May God prosper him
according as he hath dealte affectionately with my
childe. Forgive your olde father as freelie as he forgiveth
you. And nowe, God in his mercie bless you,
dere childe of my youthe. Farewell. “This doth certifie that the witche hazel sticks,
which were givene to the witnesses of my marriage
are all burnte by my requeste: therefore by Indian
laws, Hobomok and Mary Conant are divorced. And
this I doe, that Mary may be happie. The same will
be testified by my kinsmen Powexis, Mawhalissis, and
Mackawalaw. The deere and foxes are for my goode
Mary, and my boy. Maye the Englishmen's God
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