Robert Beverley, the historian, found a delight in the observation of nature, and devoted a good part of his history to a description of Virginia and its inhabitants, especially the Indians. His estate, Beverley Park, was already developed when he settled on it, so he could devote his efforts to adding to the natural beauty of it. While we do not have a detailed description of his gardens, he was almost lyrical in his praise of Virginia gardens, and the "merry birds" that make up a "rural consort", especially the mocking birds, "Who love society so well, that whenever they see mankind, they will perch upon a twig very near them, and sing the sweetest wild airs in the world."
"Have you pleasure in a garden?" Beverley asks, and then answers by describing the perfection of Virginia gardens, which any man must love.
"You can't walk by a bed of flowers but besides the entertainment of their beauty, your eyes will be saluted with the charming colors of the humming bird which revels among the flowers, and licks off the dew and honey from their tender leaves on which it only feeds."
Beverley was aware that he lacked botanical or zoological training, and he wished that he had more scientific training. As a consequence of what he felt were his shortcomings, his treatment of the natural of Virginia was briefer that he wanted. He only hoped that his writings would give others a handle to a more complete undertaking. His curiosity led him to examine the world around him. His willingness to experiment led him to eat a rattlesnake on one occasion, "Which was dainty food," he assured us. He thought the beaver was a particularly shrewd creature, with a form of government something like a monarchy.
During his last years, which came in his forties, he busied himself with the pleasures of his own realm, and with a revision of his history. Experience had mellowed him, and he set out to remove those remarks from his first edition, which had given so much offense. He avoided comments on the personal life styles of the participants. This second edition was published in the year of his death, 1722, when he was 49 years old. Perhaps it is not as entertaining as the first edition, but all agree that it shows a commendable sense of fair play.
Another project of Beverley's last years was a compilation of the Laws of Virginia. This, too, was published in the year of his death, by the publisher of his history. This little book (it was an abridgement) was dedicated to Alexander Spotswood, in words that praised him in the highest terms for protecting the laws and liberties of the country, suppressing the pirate Teach ("Blackbeard"), reviving the College of William and Mary, encouraging teachers to instruct the Indians in religion and letters, and extending the frontier settlements. (I do not know if Beverley went into the details of his partnership with Spotswood in extending the frontier settlements; probably he did not.)
(23 Oct 00)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.