orsrf 01onp in Jfltosachtrsrfts, 



By T. B. GROVES. 



HE formation of the settlement of New Plymouth 

 might be taken as the starting point of a history 

 of the Dorset Colony in Massachusetts were it 

 not for the fact that a remarkable man, whom we 

 regard as a Dorset worthy, attempted some years 

 y ' ' previously the settlement of the north-eastern part 



of the continent of America. 



Sir Walter Raleigh, whose name and achievements shed lustre 

 on his age, and are still the glory of the West of England, especially 

 of Devon, which gave him birth, and Dorset, where he lived, 

 started for America in 1579 in company with his half brother and 

 a number of intending settlers on a private venture in colonisa- 

 tion, which, owing to the opposition of the Spaniards, proved 

 unsuccessful. 



In 1584 he again started on the like errand, and actually 

 commenced the settlement of a large tract of country, which, in 

 honour of his beloved Queen, under whose protection and patent 

 he was acting, he named Virginia. The limits of this territory, 

 however, corresponded by no means with those of the modem State 

 of that name, but were far more extensive. However, Raleigh's 

 success was but partial, and, after a few years of struggle, his 

 connection with the colony ceased. 



