CHAP. I. Of the renowed Wouter Van Twiller, his un- paralleled virtues-as likewise his unutterable wisdom in the law case of Wandle Schoonhoven and Barent CHAP. II.-Containing some account of the grand coun- cil of New-Amsterdam, as also divers especial good philosophical reasons why an alderman should be fat- with other particulars touching the state of the pro- CHAP. III.-How the town of New-Amsterdam arose out of mud, and came to be marvellously polished and CHAP. IV.-Containing farther particulars of the Golden Age, and what constituted a fine Lady and Gentleman in the days of Walter the Doubter CHAP. V.-In which the reader is beguiled into a delect- CHAP. VI.-Faithfully describing the ingenious people of Connecticut and thereabouts-Showing, moreover, the true meaning of liberty of conscience, and a curious de- vice among these sturdy barbarians, to keep up a har- mony of intercourse, and promote population. 206 CHAP. VII.-How these singular barbarians turned out to be notorious squatters. How they built air castles, and CHAP. I. Showing the nature of history in gen taining furthermore the universal acquiremer liam the Testy, and how a man may learn so to render himself good for nothing CHAP. II.-In which are recorded the sage proj ruler of universal genius. The art of fightin clamation, and how that the valiant Jaco CHAP. III.-Containing the fearful wrath of W Testy, and the great dolour of the New-Am mers; because of the affair of fort Goed Hoo moreover, how William the Testy did strong the city. Together with the exploits of Stoff kerhoff CHAP. IV. Philosophical reflections on the being happy in times of prosperity.-Sundry on the southern frontiers.-How William th had well nigh ruined! the province through a c word. As also the secret expedition of Jan Alpendam, and his astonishing reward . . . CHAP. V.-How William the Testy enriched the by a multitude of laws, and came to be the p lawyers and bum-bailiffs. And how the people exceedingly enlightened and unhappy under structions CHAP. VI. Of the great pipe plot-and of the d perplexities into which William the Testy was by reason of his having enlightened the multitud CHAP. VII.-Containing divers fearful accounts der wars, and the flagrant outrages of the troopers of Connecticut-with the rise of the ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR. Ir was some time, if I recollect right, in the early part of the autumn of 1808, that a stranger applied for lodgings at the Independent Columbian Hotel in Mulberry street, of which I am landlord. He was a small, brisk looking old gentleman, dressed in a rusty black coat, a pair of olive velvet breeches, and a small cocked hat. He had a few gray hairs plaited and clubbed behind, and his beard seemed to be of some eight-and-forty hours growth. The only piece of finery which he bore about him, was a bright pair of square silver shoe buckles, and all his baggage was contained in a pair of saddle bags, which he carried under his arm. His whole appearance was something out of the common run; and my wife, who is a very shrewd body, at once set him down for some eminent country schoolmaster. As the Independent Columbian Hotel is a very small house, I was a little puzzled at first where to put him; but my wife, who seemed taken with his looks, would needs put him in her best cham ber, which is genteelly set off with the profiles of the whole family, done in black, by those two great painters, Jarvis and Wood; and commands a very pleasant view of the new grounds on the Collect, together with the rear of the Poor House and Bridewell, and a full front of the Hospital; so that it is the cheerfullest room in the whole house. During the whole time that he stayed with us, we found him a very worthy good sort of an old gentleman, though a little queer in his ways. He would keep in his room for days together, and if any of the children cried, or made a noise about his door, he would bounce out in a great passion, with his hands full of papers, and say something about "deranging his ideas;" which made my wife believe sometimes that he was not altogether compos. Indeed, there was more than one reason to make her think so, for his room was always covered with scraps of paper and old mouldy books, laying about at sixes and sevens, which he would never let any body touch; for he said he had laid them all away in their proper places, so that he might know where to find them; though for that matter, he was half his time worrying about the house in search of some book or writing which he had carefully put out of the way. I shall never forget what a pother he once made, because my wife cleaned out his room when his back was tarned, and put every thing to rights; for he Ja 289 the old gentleman soon became restless and discontented. His history being published, he had no longer any business to occupy his thoughts, or any scheme to excite his hopes and anticipations. This, to a busy mind like his, was a truly deplorable situation; and, had he not been a man of inflexible morals and regular habits, there would have been great danger of his taking to politics, or drinking-both which pernicious vices we daily see men driven to, by mere spleen and idleness. It is true, he sometimes employed himself in preparing a second edition of his history, wherein he endeavoured to correct and improve many passages with which he was dissatisfied, and to rectify some mistakes that had crept into it; for he was particularly anxious that his work should be noted for its authenticity; which, indeed, is the very life and soul of history.-But the glow of composition had departed-he had to leave many places untouched, which he would fain have altered; and even where he did make alterations, he seemed always in doubt whether they were for the better or the worse. After a residence of some time at Scaghtikoke, he began to feel a strong desire to return to NewYork, which he ever regarded with the warmest affection; not merely because it was his native city, but because he really considered it the very best city in the whole world. On his return, he |