mainly drawn from the works of Montanus and Denton, without the slightest indication of the sources of his information,

The reader will not fail to observe, how large a portion of the volume is devoted to Long Island, and the city of New York. The reason for this, is to be found in the fact, that at that early period more than two-thirds of the population of the Colony was located on those two islands. Schenectady was then, and for a considerable period subsequently, the frontier town, and most western settlement of the white inhabitants; as its name then most properly indicated, meaning the first place seen after coming out of the woods. It was surrounded by a double stockade, forming a large square fortification, with a blockhouse at each corner. The largest one, on the northwesterly corner of the town, was also used as a church, the only one then in that place.

So much exposed was Schenectady, from its frontier position, that twenty years after the original publication of this work, in 1690, it was sacked and burnt by the French and Indians, under M. de Herville; who entered it at night, broke open every dwelling, and murdered all they met, without distinction of age, sex or condition, and during the havoc set the town in flames. The greater portion of the population fell beneath the tomahawk, or were made prisoners and carried into Canada. Some few escaped to Albany, and the nearest villages of the Five Nations of Indians; and others perished miserably in the forest, the ground being covered with snow, and those who escaped, being obliged to do so half naked and bare foot.

The defenceless state of the country, from its sparse population, may be inferred from the fact, that when the news of this horrible massacre reached Albany the next day, the inhabitants of that city were many of them so greatly alarmed, that they resolved to seek refuge in New York. And probably they would have done so but for the Mohawk

Indians, who then lived between Albany and Cattskill, and also west of that city, who persuaded them to remain. These Indians not only afforded their advice in this emergency, but they also sent information to their Onondaga confederates, who despatched a body of their warriors in pursuit of the enemy, overtook them, and killed twenty-five of their number.

Between Schenectady and Albany there were no settlements, all was in a wild forest state. Albany itself was a fortification, surrounded by a line of stockade, with seven blockhouses and bastions. On the hill where now stands the capitol, was a large stone fort overlooking the city and the surrounding country; on which were mounted twentyone heavy cannon; and in it was the residence of the Governor of the city, with officers' lodgings, and soldiers' barracks. This fort was so extensive, that about this period there were two large gardens constructed in the ditch, south and west of the city.

Albany had then its centre at State street, with one street, (Beaver street,) south of it, and another street north. Market street, then called Handler's street, Green street and Pearl street, crossing State street, composed the whole city. The "Colonie," as it was then, and is by many still called, was a small settlement immediately north of Albany, and in continuation of Handler's street. The city had at that time but two churches; the Dutch Calvanist, standing in State street at its junction with Handler's street, (the foundation of this ancient church was uncovered about two years since, in making some repairs in the street ;) and the Dutch Lutheran Church in Pearl, near Beaver street.

The country at that early period was but little better settled between Albany and New York, on the Hudson river. The only town of any note then, was Kingston, or Esopus; and that also was fortified with blockhouses and stockades; and a portion of it specially strengthened as a citadel, within which was the only church in that region.

This place also, strange as it may now seem to us, was so far frontier in its character, as to be regarded far from being secure from attack. Only twenty-seven years before the destruction of Schenectady, Kingston was also burnt by the Indians, and many of its inhabitants killed and taken prisoners. This event occurred on the 7th of June, 1663, only seven years previous to the first publication of this work. Governor Stuyvesant communicated this destruction of Kingston to the churches in New York, and on Long Island, and recommended to them, "To observe and keep the ensuing Wednesday as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer to the Almighty, hoping that he may avert further calamity from the New Netherlands, and extend his fatherly protection and care to the country." The Governor a few days after, directed that Wednesday, the 4th day of July, 1663, should be observed as a day of thanksgiving, on account of a treaty of peace having been made with the Indians who sacked Kingston, and for the release of the inhabitants who had been taken prisoners.

The foregoing circumstances will show the reason why, in a description of the Colony of New York as it existed in 1670, so large a space should bave been appropriated to Long Island and the city of New York; they in reality then constituted the force and efficiency of the Colony. The other places were regarded as mere appendages, necessary to be sustained for the purposes of their fur trade with the Indians; and as fortified outposts to keep the savages from the cultivated and thickly settled portions of the country.

The character of this work for accuracy in describing the manners and customs of the Colonists, and also of the Aborigines, is admitted by all; and in the eastern part of Long Island, we had very recently the opportunity of testing the truth of some of its statements made in 1670.

Denton speaks particularly of the fishery on Long Island for whales, and for fish generally. This whale fishery is

still continued on the Island, and whales were taken off Southampton as late as 1842. When the writer of this notice travelled through Long Island, on the south side, from Brooklyn to Montauk point, during the month of August, about fourteen years since, he remained several days at Saggharbor. During his stay at that place, on a beautiful summer afternoon, he crossed the Island to the south beach, near Amagansett. Along this beach, which stretched in view for many miles, was a line of white sand hillocks crowned with scrubby bushes; and occasionally, at long intervals, small thatched huts, or wigwams, with a long pole rising from the tops, were to be seen on the highest of these sand elevations. These huts were occupied at certain seasons by men on the watch for whales; and when they discovered them spouting or playing on the ocean, a signal was hoisted on the pole, and directly the inhabitants came down with their whaling boats on wheels, launched them from the beach, and were off in pursuit of the prize. Near the houses these whaling boats were to be seen turned upside down, lying upon a frame under some trees, to shade them from the sun. Throughout the whole eastern part of the Island three or four families clubbed together and owned such a boat; they were easily transported to the beach on the wheels of a wagon, drawn by two horses or oxen; and as they have no harbors on that portion of the south side, it was the only way they could safely keep them, for they would be dashed in pieces by the surf if left upon the open shore, or even if kept covered on the beach; the storms sometimes being so heavy as to throw the surf over the sand hills, and even to beat them down.

This journey was then one of the most interesting tours in the State, both for variety of scenery and incident. The whole south side of the Island is replete with legends and stories of pirates, shipwrecks, and strange out of the way matters. The only mode of conveyance at that late period through the Island, was by the mail stage, which made one

trip a week, and was two days in going from Brooklyn to Saggharbor. The writer performed this journey in company with a friend, and believes they walked about one quarter of the distance, frequently getting far a head of the stage whilst it stopped at some country post office, or to throw out two or three newspapers to be carried over the fields to some small village which lay a mile or two off the post route. One of these primitive post offices was a small box on an old tree in the forest, at the intersection of two roads; not a soul was near it, yet the packages left to be delivered, or placed there to be taken further on, always found their destination without accident. These walks were enlivened by tales and reminiscences, of which the people met along the route were full, and pleased with the opportunity of telling to those who were willing to lend a listening ear.

This jaunt will always be looked back upon with satisfaction, but with regret that it can never be taken again under the same circumstances. The old mail route is broken up--and now by means of the rail road, and other facilities, we rather fly than stroll through the delightful scenery of this beautiful region. It was then something of an undertaking to get to Montauk Point; now we will meet with a hundred tourists for pleasure where we then would see one. Then there were but few taverns throughout the whole distance, and in some places none. The inhabitants were delighted to see strangers,-were primitive in their manners and customs, so much so, that it was a great pleasure to visit them. Now there are taverns everywhere, and in the summer they are filled with visiters. The people have ceased to offer their hospitalities, except to those with whom they are personally acquainted, otherwise from the great influx of strangers they might be imposed upon. In place of the kind open-hearted reception then to be met with from all classes and both sexes, you will at present discover little, or no difference between their manners and those of the inhabitants of our larger towns; and in order