consider them under three groups—namely, those in the Southern Colonies, in the New England Colonies, and in the Middle Colonies. We must constantly bear in mind the significant fact that during this period there was not one central government in any of the geographical divisions, but many and diverse governments in each of them. Hence we need not look for a national or American spirit in our literature until the colonies shall have become united in the struggle against foreign domination. The early literature was quite as largely English as American, but we may call it American because it deals with American scene and history, and because it was written by English settlers on American soil, and partially, particularly in the last half of the Colonial period, by writers who were born and educated in America.

LITERATURE IN THE SOUTHERN COLONIES

Captain John Smith: "A True Relation." To the Southern Colonies belongs the primary place in date, though not in importance, in our early literature. The first writer of note whose work may be called American in color and subject-matter was Captain John Smith (1579-1631), a native of Lincolnshire, England. Moved by the typical Elizabethan spirit of adventure and daring, he ran away from home when he was fifteen years old and became a soldier of fortune. After passing through numerous perilous and romantic adventures in Europe, Asia, and Africa during the first ten years of his travels, he returned to England in time to join the Virginia Expedition in 1607. The next year he sent back to England a long letter, which was published under the title, A True Relation of Some Occurrences and Accidents of Noate as Hath Hapned Since the First Planting of the Colony. This pamphlet is now usually regarded as the first book in American literature. It contains an

account of the first year in the life of the Virginia Colony, with much information about the new country, its inhabitants, its geography, and the hardships and dangers suffered by the colonists, particularly in their contact with the savage Indians. Naturally, Captain Smith is the hero of many of the incidents recorded. The account is written in a vivacious, picturesque, and forceful style, and the book is on the whole, perhaps, the most trustworthy of all the writings of this remarkable man.

Smith's other works. Among Captain Smith's numerous later publications may be mentioned A Map of Virginia (1612), A Description of New England (1616), New England's Trials (1620-1622), and The General Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624). It is interesting to note that Smith wrote his Description of New England before the first permanent settlement had been established in that part of America. The title of "Admiral of New England" was conferred upon him by the English government, and he proudly bore this designation during the remainder of his life, even though it amounted to nothing more than an empty honor. Only one of Smith's later works needs to be discussed in more detail.

In

"The General Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles." This is an enlarged and more highly colored account than A True Relation, and was written long after Captain Smith had returned to England. this later volume the account of Captain Smith's rescue by the intercession of the Indian princess Pocahontas is given. The romantic nature of this incident, no mention of which is made in Smith's earlier work, A True Relation, nor in any other early narrative, has caused some critics to question the authenticity of the Pocahontas story and even the historical value of all Captain Smith's writings. In fact, The General Historie is so unreliable that nothing in it can be accepted unless supported by other evidence. We should not hesitate,

V/HLIWS NHOI INAVL

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH

From the margin of his map of New England in "A Description of New England," London, 1616, which now hangs in the rooms of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.

however, to give John Smith credit for the exceedingly interesting and informing nature of his material and for the vivid and dramatic style in which he has presented it. While he cannot in any sense be classed as a great writer, he unquestionably will be remembered as the first Englishman who successfully made literary capital of American scene and life. The Pocahontas story. The following passage taken from The General Historie will illustrate Smith's style and also give the central portion of the Pocahontas story:

At last they brought him to Meronocomoco, where was Powhatan, their Emperor. Here more than two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had beene a monster; till Powhatan and his trayne had put themselues in their greatest braveries. Before a fire vpon a seat like a bedsted, he sat covered with a great robe, made of Rarowcun skinnes, and all the tayles hanging by. On either hand did sit a young wench of 16 or 18 yeares, and along on each side the house, two rowes of men, and behind them as many women, with all their heads and shoulders painted red: many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of Birds; but every one with something: and a great chayne of white beads about their necks.

At his entrance before the King, all the people gaue a great shout. The Queene of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, in stead of a Towell to dry them: having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan: then as many as could layd hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beate out his braines, Pocahontas the Kings dearest daughter, when no intreaty could prevaile, got his head in her armes, and laid her owne vpon his to saue him from death: whereat the Emperour was contented he should liue to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads, and copper; for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselues. For the King himselfe will make his owne robes, shooes, bowes, arrowes, pots; plant, hunt, or doe any thing so well as the rest.

William Strachey. Another early work remarkable for its vivid and powerful prose description is a True Reportory fo the Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates, Knight,