I remember having read, some time ago, a statement in the public prints,
to the effect that the popular belief, as to Sir Walter Raleigh having
visited Virginia, was unfounded: the fact being, that he had projected
such a voyage, and that the vessels equipped by him for that purpose had
actually reached that country; but that the illustrious voyager himself
was prevented by some circumstance from conducting the expedition. This
statement seemed to have been elicited by one of the subjects proposed
for the decorations of the new Houses of Parliament, namely, "Sir Walter
Raleigh landing in Virginia," and the idea was exploded with so much
assurance that I had ceased to give it any credence. I find, however, in
Hallam's _Literature of Europe_, 2nd edition, vol. iii. p. 179., that
the fact of Sir Walter's having been in Virginia is relied upon by that
historian, in the following passage:
"Harriott, the companion of Sir Walter Raleigh in Virginia, and
the friend of the Earl of Northumberland, in whose house he spent
the latter part of his life, was destined to make the last great
discovery in the pure science of algebra."
Are there any data to support Mr. Hallam's opinion? Such is his general
accuracy, that few would be disposed to question any statement
deliberately put forward by him. In this instance, however, he may have
adopted, without inquiry, the tradition which has been current for the
last two hundred and fifty years.