"There, in the midst of its farms reposed the Acadian village, Strongly built were the houses with frames of oak and of hemlock; There, in the tranquil evenings when sunset had faded to twilight, Softly the church-bell sounded calling the people to worship. Thus dwelt in love these simple Acadian farmers, Dwelt in the love of God and of man. Alike they were free from Fear that reigns with the tyrant, and envy the vice of republics, Neither locks had they to their doors nor bars to their windows, But their dwellings were open as day and the hearts of the owners; There the richest was poor, and the poorest lived in abundance." Meanwhile attempts at colonizing were going on farther south. The settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, was founded in 1607. The adventures of Captain John Smith, the virtual founder of the colony, are well known to most readers, as well as the romantic story of Pocahontas, the Indian princess. Its early history is a narrative of strife and human suffering. Many of its early inhabitants were scions of nobility, men unused to toil; in some cases they were mere adventurers, actuated by a lust for gold or love of plunder. However, it teaches one important lesson, that noble birth and high-sounding titles are of little account when compared with the plain virtues of industry, honesty, and trust in God--that it is not men of wealth, but men of noble character that are of most importance in founding a commonwealth. {128} CHAPTER XIII. COLONIZATION OF NEW ENGLAND. CHARACTER OF THE COLONISTS--THEY LEAVE ENGLAND--SOJOURN IN HOLLAND--BREWSTER'S PRINTING PRESS--PURITANS EMBARK FOR AMERICA--THEIR TRUST IN GOD--ROBINSON'S PROPHECY--PLYMOUTH FOUNDED--SUFFERINGS OF THE COLONISTS--CONFLICT IN ENGLAND--PECULIARITIES OF THE PURITANS--HARVARD COLLEGE FOUNDED--EXTENT OF SETTLEMENTS--FIRST CONFEDERATION. "What constitutes a state? Not high-raised battlements or labored mound, Thick wall or moated gate; Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned, Not bays and broad armed ports Where, laughing at the storm, proud navies ride; Not starred and spangled courts Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride; No! Men, high-minded men, With powers as far above dull brutes endued, In forest, brake or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude; Men, who their duties know, But know their rights; and knowing dare maintain." The mind instinctively turns to the colonizing of New England as one of the great landmarks of human history. A little more than two centuries ago this land was covered with forests in which roamed various tribes of Indians; and the rivers, which now give life to so much cheerful industry, flowed uselessly to the sea. To-day this same land is covered with cities, towns and villages, gardens, vineyards and orchards, schools and palaces--a civilization surpassing, in some respects, that of any other country on the face of the globe.