Lincoln Delivering His Memorable Address on the Field of

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THE STORY OF OUR LITERATURE

CHAPTER I

IN DAYS OF OLD

Writers of Virginia-A Southern Gentleman-The Puritan Pioneers— Taunts and Intolerance-Nobler Men-A Proud Puritan Line-A Genial Justice-Jonathan Edwards-Life in the Middle ColoniesJohn Woolman-Benjamin Franklin-The Useful Citizen-The Rewards of Ambition-The Character of Franklin.

1. An Unusual Beginning.-In most of the countries of Europe the development of the national literature is a story of gradual progress. From primitive ballads and popular romances relating the brave adventures of legendary heroes, such a literature grows in scope and importance until it reaches its climax in the highest imaginative works of the best writers of later days. Thus a great national literature becomes an expression of the intellectual and spiritual life of an age or of a people.

American literature, however, did not have such a natural development from primitive beginnings. The first writings produced in this country came at a time when English literature was at its greatest glory. Sidney and Spenser were but recently dead; Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and Bacon were still living and in their prime; Milton and Dryden were soon to write their notable poetry. Yet, in spite of the splendid literary achievement of the mother country, hardly a book

STORY

of outstanding literary quality was produced in America during the colonial period. Our first writings, therefore, have more historical than literary interest and need not long engage our attention.

2. Writers of Virginia.-The "Old Dominion," as Virginia was called, was settled mainly by royalists in search of fortune or adventure. Most of them expected to return to England when they had accomplished their purpose. They did not find the gold or precious stones for which they sought, but they did find an agreeable climate, a fertile soil, and navigable rivers. Among the first settlers was Captain John Smith (1580?-1631), who had run away from his Lincolnshire home at fifteen, had fought against Mediterranean pirates, and while in the East had entertained a group of Oriental ladies by engaging in successive combat with three Turkish champions, whose heads he cut off in the approved fashion of the day. Tiring of his exploits against Turk and Tartar, he turned his face westward at twenty-seven, and became the most noted of the founders of Jamestown. Although accused of a plot to kill the other leaders and make himself "King of Virginia," he rendered valuable service as a member of the council, and was active in concluding negotiations with the Indians. The romantic story of his rescue by the lovely Indian princess Pocahontas when his head was already on the block has never been verified, but rests upon the doubtful authority of his own statement. This is the more regrettable, because Captain Smith in the various pamphlets describing his remarkable adventures did not establish a reputation for veracity. Whatever we may think of his real or imagined exploits, he really has the honor of

having written the first book produced in Virginia. It was a mere pamphlet, usually known as A True Relation of Virginia, which was printed in London in 1608. This publication was followed by similar works from his and from other hands setting forth in glowing terms the marvellous attractions of the New World. Such golden reports attracted from the social dregs of England many vagabonds and other undesirables, who soon became a nuisance in the colony and had to be deported.

The manner of living in Virginia discouraged the production of literature. The first settlers took little interest in education. They established large tobacco plantations and shipped their valuable crops to England. As they grew in wealth they added to their acres and developed a leisurely manorial life, with numerous servants and negro slaves. They took pride in their stables and kennels, engaged in such sports as horse-racing and fox-hunting, and dispensed bounteous hospitality to their guests. Those who cared to read deemed it more sensible to import good books from England than to write poor books of their own. Instead of maintaining schools or colleges, the rich planters either employed tutors or sent their children to England to be educated. Sir William Berkeley, for thirty-six years their royal governor, said as late as 1670: "I thank God there are no free schools, nor printing, and I hope we shall not have them these hundred years."

3. A Southern Gentleman.-The most interesting of the Virginia writers of the colonial period was Colonel William Byrd (1674-1744), who, after receiving his education abroad, returned to America and made his home on the large family