LITERATURE AND AUTHORS.
A. D. 1880.
1880.
It would seem natural that the connection of Sir Walter Raleigh
with the history of North Carolina should have added to the
literary tendencies of a people blessed with such a godfather.
He was so full of genius and devotion to letters that a special
impetus ought thereby to have been given to the cultivation of a
similar spirit among those who were to inhabit the land of his
love. But, though Hariot, Lawson, and quaint Dr. Brickell were
moved by such a spirit, the muses have not made the Old North
State very remarkable in this respect.
2. North Carolina has always been, since its settlement, the home
of some highly cultivated people, but all the while the mass of
the population has possessed but little knowledge of books. This
fact has been a great discouragement to the production of
authors. Professions are not eagerly sought when not encouraged
by the sympathy and support of the public.
3. In the period just preceding the revolt from British rule,
Edward Moseley and Samuel Swann had been succeeded by men who
possessed better literary opportunities and were more devoted to
general culture than had been these two able and accomplished
lawyers. Moseley, with every requirement, could never bring to
any of his many controversies with Governor Pollok and others
such flowers of rhetoric as Judge Maurice Moore lavished upon his
famous "Atticus Letter."
4. That production was just such an attack upon Governor Tryon,
for his conduct toward the Regulators, as, a few years later,
immortalized the English writer who is to this day only known by
his signature, "Junius." When Judge Moore and his compeer,
Cornelius Harnett, were growing old, William Hooper, Archibald
Maclaine and the first James Iredell were young lawyers, who
travelled to all the Superior Courts in the State and mingled
belles-lettres largely with their inspections of Coke and the
new lectures of Dr. Blackstone.
5. No man or woman then in North Carolina wrote books, as a
profession, but the copious correspondence of that day, which yet
survives, and upon which fifty cents were paid as postage for
each letter, proves that, what was called "polite literature"
engaged much of their attention. They made fine speeches, and
Judge Iredell wrote a law book and frequent dissertation for the
newspapers; but, beyond this and an occasional pamphlet, no
literary tasks were undertaken.
6. Dr. Hugh Williamson was a man of similar habits. He was not
only a skillful physician, but served with credit as a college
professor and a member of the Convention at Philadelphia which
formed the Federal Constitution, and he was also a member of the
United States Congress. After ceasing to be a citizen of this
State, he undertook to write its history, but achieved very
moderate success as an author.
7. In the lapse of years, this task was again undertaken by judge
Francois Xavier Martin. He came from France when a boy, and
practiced law for seventeen years at New Bern. His compilation
of the statutes and history of North Carolina were invaluable
labors, and will ever render him memorable in our annals. His
dry statement of facts was generally correct, and he fell into
very few errors, considering that he was the first to attempt
anything like a full record of the State's history; and this was
accomplished in his new home in Louisiana.
8. Joseph Seawell Jones was a remarkable man in many respects.
He was brilliant in social life, and became well known to the
literary and fashionable circles of New York and Washington. His
love for North Carolina was intense, and the "Defence of the
Revolutionary History of the State of North Carolina" that he
wrote exhibits both talent and research. His infirmities of
temper impaired his judgment, but his memory should ever be
cherished in his native State for the services he rendered.
After the gay scenes of his early manhood he spent many years on
a Mississippi plantation. His last book was entitled "My Log
Cabin in the Prairie."
9. Early in the present century the literary aspects of the State were
brightened by men who had attended as students on Dr.
Joseph, Caldwell's ministrations at Chapel Hill. His tendencies
were all so practical that scientific and mechanical development
was more encouraged than lighter subjects, but Hardy B. Croom,
Joseph A. Hill, Judge A. D. Murphey and Rev. Drs. William Hooper
and Francis L. Hawks were early distinguished for the elegance of
their literary acquirements.
10. Judge William Gaston left just enough literary memorials to
cause us to regret that he did not attempt more things of the
kind. His ode to Carolina, and certain orations, will never be
forgotten. Judge Robert Strange was also possessed of similar
gifts. Philo Henderson, Walker Anderson and Abraham F. Morehead
were largely gifted in poetic power. Each of them, at rare
intervals, indulged in compositions that show what might have
been accomplished had they been authors by profession and not
mere literary amateurs. The State, while possessing a number of
excellent musicians, has not produced many musical compositions
of special merit; but the two songs, the "Old North State," by
Hon. William Gaston, and "Ho! for Carolina," by Rev. William
B. Harrell, will ever remain favorites with our people.
11. Colonel John H. Wheeler and Rev. Dr. Calvin H. Wiley have
both executed tasks that will render their names household words
for ages to come. The historical contributions of the former are
of the greatest possible value and are highly prized in every
portion of the State. Rev. Drs. Hubbard, Foote, Hawks and
Caruthers, and ex-Governors Graham and Swain have each been large
contributors to the same cause. Rev. Dr. Charles F. Deems, Theo.
H. Hill and the lamented Edwin W. Fuller added much to the fame
of our writers. Professors Richard Sterling, William Bingham and
Brantley York have contributed excellent educational textbooks,
which do great credit to the talented authors. The recent
"History of Rowan County," by Rev. Jethro Rumple, is both
pleasing and valuable as a tribute to our local traditions.
12. In addition to the authors mentioned, there have been members
of the Bar of North Carolina who have produced legal works of
very great importance and value, not only to our own
practitioners, but also to lawyers of other States. The most
prominent writers of this class of literature were James Iredell,
Edward Cantwell, Benjamin Swam, William Eaton, Jr., B. F. Moore,
S. P. Olds, William H. Battle and Quentin Busbee, of former
years; followed, in later times, by William H. Bailey and Fabius
H. Busbee. These law books have been chiefly digests, revisals
and manuals of practice.
13. Gifted women have not been wanting amid these literary
people. Mrs. Cornelia Phillips Spencer, Mrs. Cicero W. Harris,
Mrs. Mary Mason and Mrs. Mary Bayard Clarke have made valuable
contributions to the literature of their era. In the case of
Miss Frances Fisher, under the assumed name of "Christian Reid,"
a most signal success is to be chronicled. She has given to the
press many excellent stories and established a national fame as a
novelist.
14. North Carolina has produced many able newspaper editors.
Joseph Gales and his two sons, Edward J. Hale, ex-Governor W. W.
Holden, Joseph A. Engelhard, William J. Yates, P. M. Hale,
William L. Saunders, S. A. Ashe, T. B. Kingsbury, R. B. Creecy,
Dossey Battle, C. W. Harris and other gifted men have wielded a
wide influence on the people of this State.
QUESTIONS.
Of what does this lesson treat?
1. Who is the first literary man known to North Carolina? What
is said of him? What others are mentioned in this connection?
2. What has been the general condition of literary matters in the
State? Why have so few professional authors been seen?
3. What is said of Samuel Swan and Edward Moseley? Who was
author of the "Atticus Letter? "
4. What mention is made of the "Atticus Letter? " Who were the
literary men of that period?
5. What is said of the correspondence of that day? What was the
extent of Judge Iredell's literary efforts?
6. What is said of the attainments of Dr. Hugh Williamson?
7. What other historians are mentioned, and what is said of them?
8. Tell something of the labors of Joseph Seawell Jones.
9. What produced an improvement in literary affairs early in the
present century?
10. What is said of the ode to Carolina and its author? What
writers of similar gifts are named? What is said of musical
compositions?
11. What is said of the literary efforts of Colonel Wheeler and
Dr Wiley? What other historical writers are mentioned who have
contributed to the State valuable series of school books?
12. What members of the Bar have produced legal works of great value?
13. Can you tell something of the gifted women of the State?
14. What prominent editors has the State furnished?