Old Virginia and her neighbours

SOCIETY IN THE OLD DOMINION. 255quality than other kinds of writing ; and Virginia])roduced three historical writers of decided merit.AVith Robert Beverley the reader has al-Virginia'sready made some acquaintance through RobertT"^'the extracts cited in these pages. His ^®^®'^^®y-" History of Virginia," published in London in1705, is a little book full of interesting detailsconcerning the country and the life of its red andwhite inhabitants. The author's love of natureis charming, and his style so simple, direct, andsprightly that there is not a dull page in the book.It was written during a visit to London, whereBeverley happened to see the proof-sheets of Oldmixon'sforthcoming " British Empire in America,"and was disgusted with the silly blunders thatswarmed on every page. He wrote his little bookas an antidote, and did itso well that many cominggenerations will read it with pleasure.A book of more pretension and of decided meritis the " History of Virginia " by Eev. WilliamStith, who was president of William and -^iuiamMary College from 1752 to his death in ^"*^-1755. The book, which was published at Williamsburgin 1747, was but the first volume of a workwhich, had itbeen completed on a similar scale,would have filled six or eight. It covers only theearliest period, ending with the downfall of the VirginiaCompany in 1624 ; and among its merits isthe good use to which the author put the minutes ofthe Company's proceedings made at the instanceof Nicholas Ferrar.^ Stith's work is accurate andscholarly, and hisnarrative is dignified and often^ See above, vol. i. p. 221.