proof that they were not afraid to meet the enemy, as well as that they had never been made captives in war, since the practice of scalping was general among them. Others think it must have been a chain of ornaments suspended from the hair, down the back.

THE distance by the Hudson River from New York to Albany or Fort Orange, as it was formerly called by the Dutch, is 145 miles. This river is one of the most interesting water courses on the face of the globe; and as a navigable outlet, to the vast and fertile regions of the west, has high claims to attention. It is formed of two principal branches, the Hudson proper and the Mohawk.

Below the head of the tide, the mean breadth of the river does not reach a a mile. In all its length, above New York island, it is bordered by a steep acclivity, in many places mountainous. It affords rapidly varying landscapes. The channel appears an interminable vista, bounded, on the western shore by walls of primitive rock, and on the east, by a highly cultivated country, rising boldly from the brink. This contrast continues to the Highlands; where enormous mountain peaks rise suddenly on both sides, to twelve hundred or fifteen hundred feet, through which the channel seems to have been rifted by some almost inconceivable force. It presents the only known instance, except that of the St. Lawrence, in which the ocean tiles pass the primitive mountain chain, carrying depth for the largest vessels. This depth is found for one hundred and twenty miles-five miles above the city of Hudson. North of this point, sloops pass to Troy, and thence through the lock of the dam to Waterford. Above the Highlands, the banks continue bold, rocky, and often precipitous, though not mountainous. The farms and villages hang upon the cliffs, or rise by stages from the waters' edge. In a few places, bottoms occur; but they are rare and of limited extent.-Gordon's New-York.

Note 14, page 20.

CONNECTED With the fish and fishing in the harbor of New-York, we have a curious fact in Natural History, narrated by at least two officers of the British government, who were here during the early part of the Revolutionary War, and which is also still existing in the memory of some of our oldest inhabitants. At the commencement of the revolution the harbor of New-York abounded in fish, among which were lobsters of a large size, which all at once disappeared, immediately after the cannonading in the battle of Long Island, and the taking possession of New-York by the British army. William Eddis, Esq., in his highly interesting "Letters from America, historical and descriptive; comprising occurrences from 1769 to 1777, inclusive," (8vo., London, 1792, page 426,) in describing his residence in the city of New-York, shortly before embarking for

England, after having been obliged to leave his post as Surveyor of the Customs at Annapolis, in Maryland, by reason of his adherence to the Crown, mentions this fact in the following manner: Lobsters of a prodigious size, were, till of late, caught in vast numbers, but it is a fact, surprising as it may appear, that, since the late incessant cannonading, they have entirely forsaken the coast, not one having been taken, or seen, since the commencement of hostilities."

Lieut. Aubury, who was captured with Burgoyne's army, and came to the city of New-York, after his exchange, in 1781, in his Travels through the interior parts of America," (2 vols., 8vo., London, 1791, vol. 2, page 471,) states the same fact in equally explicit language. This is no matter of the imagination, the writer has also received the same as fact, from some old people who knew this vicinity in the early part of the revolution. They say, that forty-five years ago no lobsters were to be found south of Hellgate, notwithstanding their previous great abundance throughout the East River. Since that period these fish have gradually been regaining their old haunts; about twenty-five years ago they were taken in the neighborhood of Kipp's Bay, and within the last four or five years were found to have reached the harbor of New-York. During the last three years large numbers of them have been taken on a spit of sand which extends in a circular direction from near the Brooklyn shore towards New-York, a short distance south of the Fulton ferry, which appears to be their favorite locality; and during this latter period, at the proper times, it was not unusual to see ten or a dozen boats engaged in taking that favorite shellfish, which six years before was not to be found in our waters.

What we have gained in respect to lobsters we have lost in another and favorite fish, the shad. From a manuscript account of the shad fishery at the Narrows on Long Island, kept by the owner of the most extensive fishery at that place, showing the number of fish caught during each season, from 1789 to a recent date, and also the largest number taken in one day during each season, it appears that the whole number now caught, during the whole season, is scarcely equal to the largest number taken in some one single day fifty years ago.

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At the time when Lieut. Aubury wrote his account of New-York, and its neighborhood, in October, 1781, Brooklyn, now a city of near fifty thousand inhabitants, was then only noted for its "excellent tavern, where parties are made to go and eat fish ;"-it was in our author's language, a scattered village, consisting of a few houses,"-which was strictly true, for there were not then more than fifty houses in the bounds of the present city. Aubury states that, "at a small distance from the town are considerable heights, commanding the city of NewYork; on these is erected a strong regular fort, with four bastions." This strong fort, then at a small distance from the town, was on a site now in the midst of the thick settled portion of the city, with its centre on Pierrepont-street and Henry-street. What a change has occurred here in sixty-four years, a period during which many of the cities of the Old World have scarcely experienced any alteration.

Note 15, page 21.

THE following extract is corroborative of the truth of the foregoing remark: "On my return passage from Europe to America, in May, 1840, on board the packet-ship Philadelphia, commanded by the good Captain Morgan. During the whole of the day on the evening of which we made land, we were most anxiously expecting a sight of terra-firma once more. To our no small joy, some time after dark, we espied the revolving light that is placed upon the highlands of Neversink. And strange to relate, our olfactory organs were the second sense, that intimated to us our near approach to land. The fragrance of blooming flowers, green meadows, and budding vegetation of every kind, was truly delicious, and brought to our recollections the odoriferous sensation experienced on entering a hot-house in winter. An Italian gentleman, one of the passengers, who had heard much of America, and was now for the first time about visiting it, on experiencing this sensation, exclaimed in the soft poetical language of his country, Bellissimo, bellissimo, tre bellissimo Italia nuovo!'

"This was no doubt, in a considerable degree, caused by the great change in the temperature of the atmosphere. The thermometer during the whole voyage having never reached a higher point than 60, but often fell much lower; whereas now it had risen to 88 with the breeze coming from land, which made us more sensible to impressions, particularly of this kind."-W. Gowans' Western Memorabilia

Note 16, page 22.

THAT this genuine, open hearted hospitality, is still practiced among the pioneers of the Far West, can be fully attested by every one who has been among them.

The following extract may be taken as an instance, which is only one out of many that could be produced.

When, on a pedestrian journey through the new states and territories of the west I got into a dreary and comparatively unsettled part of the country. I travelled one day about fifty miles; my route lay through a thickly wooded district, and I was compelled to ford a creek or small river twelve or fourteen times, which traversed nearly the whole of the path in a serpentine manner.

"During this day I passed only two or three log-cabins, situated in little openings in this vast wilderness. Night came on after I had passed the last about ten miles, and I knew not how far I should have to travel before falling in with another. This was an uncomfortable situation however. Either to return or to remain stationary I knew would not do, so I proceeded onward through the gloomy, thick solitary woods. The moon was clear and her light inspired me with some confidence, but the further I advanced the more alarmed I became lest I should fall in with some of the lords of the forest, such as Indians, bears, wolves, &c. In this state of mind I jogged on for some time, till near the hour of ten, when I beheld a light shining through among the trees. I descried this

pleasing spectacle I am sure with as much heartfelt delight as ever did shipwrecked mariner on beholding land. I made up to this light as fast as my wearied limbs and swollen feet would carry me, (for my feet had swollen greatly on account of being wet during the whole of the day.) This light proceeded from one of those small log-cabins situated in a little open spot surrounded with tall heavy timber-I knocked at the door and was answered by a young womanI asked for admission, which was cherfully granted-I stated to her my condition, where from, &c., and requested permission to remain all night under her roof. She said it was particularly unfortunate as it might be improper for her to harbour me through the night, as she was all alone with the exception of her two little children, her husband having gone back many miles to look out for a new settlement on the borders of some prairie.

"I asked her what distance it was to the next opening, that is to say, cabin or house; she replied about eight miles. On hearing this I again renewed my supplications to be permitted to remain all night. At this second request the true nature of woman prevailed; she remarked it would be hard indeed to refuse shelter (situated even as she was) to one apparently so much fatigued and worn out. She immediately prepared supper for me, which consisted of mush, milk, fried bacon, and bread made from Indian corn. Being excessively fatigued I had scarcely tasted of her bounty when sleep overtaking me I fell into a deep slumber. I know not how long I had been in this state when she awoke me and requested me to go to bed, the only one in the cabin. I learned afterwards, that she had betaken herself to one less soft, and more humble, the floor. In the morning I awoke quite refreshed and breakfasted on the humble fare she had prepared. On my departure she would accept of no compensation whatever, either for the entertainment I had received or the inconvenience that I had put her to.

"Good and kind hearted woman; for this act of Samaritan hospitality, I am, and I hope ever will continue grateful, and 1 take especial pleasure in recording an act so purely benevolent, and I fear of but rare occurrence amongst those who esteem themselves much more polished members of society.

"I related this incident to an American poet,-next time I saw him he had the whole story turned into verse, entitled, The Beauty of Benevolence.'”W. Gowans Western Memorabilia.

Note 17, page 22.

THE war between the English and Dutch breaking out about this time, (1664,) King Charles resolved to dispossess the Dutch of their settlements upon Hudson's River. This part of the country was first discovered by Captain Hudson, an Englishman, who sold it to the Dutch about the year 1608; but doing it without the king's license it was reckoned invalid; the English who sailed from Holland to the West Indies, and settled at Plymouth, designed to have taken possession of those parts, but the commander of the ship being a Dutchman, and bribed by

some of his countrymen, landed them further to the north. The Dutch took possession of the country soon after, and began a plantation in the year 1623, but were driven thence by Sir Samuel Argall, Governor of Virginia; they then applied to King James, who being a slothful prince, gave them leave to build some cottages for the convenience of their ships touching there for fresh water, in their passage to and from Brazil: under this pretence they built the city of NewAmsterdam, in an island called Manhanatoes at the mouth of Hudson's River, and a fort about eighty miles up the river, which they called Orange Fort; from whence they traded with the Indians overland as far as Quebec. Whether the English or the Dutch had the best title to this part of the country is of no great importance now, since it was taken from them in time of war, and yielded up by the peace. "Tis plain however, that King Charles the Second looked upon them as intruders, because on the 12th of March, this year, he made a grant of the whole country called Nova Belgia to his brother the Duke of York, who gave it the name of New-York, and sent a squadron of men-of-war, with some land forces, under the command of Sir Robert Carr, to reduce it. Sir Robert arrived there in the latter end of the year 1664, landed 3,000 men upon Mahanatoes Island, and marched directly to New-Amsterdam; the governor of the town was an old soldier that had lost his leg in the service of the states, but being surprised at the unexpected attack of a formidable enemy he was prevailed upon by the inhabitants to surrender. Thus this place fell into the hands of the English. 'Twas handsomely built by the Dutch, of brick and stone covered with red and black tile, and the land being high it affords an agreeable prospect at a distance. Above half the Dutch inhabitants remained, and took the oath of allegiance to the king, the rest had liberty to remove with their effects.

Thirteen days after the surrender of New Amsterdam a detachment was sent under Colonel Nichols to reduce Orange Fort, which he easily accomplished, and called it New-Albany, the Duke of York's Scotch title, and so the whole country fell into the hands of the English.-Oldmixon's British Empire in America, quoted by Neal in his History of New-England.

THE END.