Queen Elizabeth bestowed upon it the name of Virginia, in celebration of her reign, and in allusion to her being unmarried.

Sec. 5. In 1602, Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold, from Falmouth, England, discovered and gave name to Cape Cod.

§ Gosnold, being bound to Virginia, his discovery was accidental. He named Cape Cod, in reference to the abundance of Cod fish about it. Coasting south, he discovered Nantucket, Buzzard's Bay, Martha's Vineyard, and one of the Elizabeth Islands.

Other expeditions were fitted out and came to America for discovery; we have however noticed above the leading adventurers and their discoveries during this period.

RFFLECTIONS.

We shall find it pleasant and profitable, occasionally to pause in our history, and consider what instruction may be drawn from the portion of it that has been perused.

In the story of Columbus, we are introduced to a man of genius, energy, and enterprise. We see him forming a new, and in that age, a mighty project; and having matured his plan, we see him set himself vigorously about its execution. For a time, he is either treated as a visionary, or baffled by opposition. But, neither discouraged, nor dejected, he steadily pursues his purpose, surmounts every obstacle, and at length spreads his sails upon the unknown waters of the Atlantick. A kind Providence auspiciously guides his way, and crowns his enterprise with the unexpected discovery of a new world.

While we admire the lofty qualities of Columbus, and glance with wonder at the consequences which have resulted from his discovery, let us emulate his decision, energy and perseverance. Many are the occasions in the present worìd, on which it will be important to summon these to our aid; and by means of these, many useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, would be unattained.

But, while we thus press forward in the career of usefulness-while we aim to accomplish for our fellow men all the amount of good in our power, let us moderate our expectations of reward here, by the consideration that Columbus died the victim of ingratitude and disappointment.

Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested by the story of Columbus. In his first voyage, he contemplated chiefly the discovery of a passage to India. We who live to mark the wonderful events which have fowed from his discovery, within the short space of three centuries, cannot but advert with awe to HIM, who attaches to the actions of a single individnal, a train of consequences so stupendous and unexpected. How lightly soever, then, we may think of our conduct, let us remember that the invisible hand of Providence may be connecting with our smallest actions the most momentous results, to ourselves and others.

With respect to Americus Vespucius, it may be observed, that although he deprived Columbus of the merited honour of giving his name to the new world, and gained this distinction for himself-still, if he is renowned by his success, he is more disgraced by having appropriated that to himself, which fairly belonged to another.

UNITED STATES.

PERIOD II,

DISTINGUISHED FOR SETTLEMENTS,

Extending from the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, to the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689.

Sec. 1. Prior to the year 1607, a period of one hundred and fifteen years from the discovery of San Salvador, by Columbus, attempts had been made to effect settlements in various parts of North America ; but no one proved successful, until the settlement at Jamestown.

In 1606, King James I. of England, granted letters patent, an exclusive right, or privilege,--to two companies, called the London and Plymouth Companies; by which they were authorized to possess the lands, in America, lying between the 34th and 45th degrees of north latitude; the southern part, called South Virginia, to the London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the Plymouth Company.

Under this patent, the London Company sent Capt. Christopher Newport to Virginia, Dec. 20th, 1606, with a colony of one hundred and five persons, to commence a settlement on the island Roanoke,—now in North Carolina.-After a tedious voyage of four months, by the circuitous route of the West Indies, he entered Chesapeake Bay, having been driven north of the place of his destination.

Here it was concluded to land; and, proceeding up a river, called by the Indians, Powhatan, but, by the colony, James River, in honour of King James, on a beautiful peninsula, in May, 1607, they began the first permanent settlement in North America, and called it Jamestown.