-- a melancholy proof of the instability of all sublunary things,
and the vanity of all our hopes of lasting fame! For who can
expect his name will live to posterity, when even the names of
mighty islands are thus soon lost in contradiction and uncer-
tainty?

The name most current at the present day, and which is
likewise countenanced by the great historian Vander Donck,
is MANHATTAN; which is said to have originated in a custom
among the squaws, in the early settlement, of wearing men's
hats, as is still done among many tribes. "Hence," as we are
told by an old governor who was somewhat of a wag, and
flourished almost a century since, and had paid a visit to the
wits of Philadelphia, "hence arose the appellation of man-hat-
on, first given to the Indians, and afterwards to the island" -- a
stupid joke! -- but well enough for a governor.

Among the more venerable sources of information on this
subject, is that valuable history or the American possessions,
written by Master Richard Blome in 1687, wherein it is called
Manhadaes and Manahanent; nor must I forget the excellent
little book, full of precious matter, of that authentic historian,
John Josselyn, Gent., who expressly calls it Manadaes.

Another etymology still more ancient, and sanctioned by
the countenance of our ever-to-be-lamented Dutch ancestors, is
that found in certain letters still extant; ^* which passed be-
tween the early governors and their neighbouring powers,
wherein it is called indifferently Monhattoes -- Munhatos, and
Manhattoes, which are evidently unimportant variations of
the same name; for our wise forefathers set little store by
those niceties either in orthography or orthoepy which form
the sole study and ambition of many learned men and women
of this hypercritical. This last name is said to be derived
from the great Indian spirit Manetho, who was supposed to
make this island his favourite abode, on account of its uncom-
mon delights. For the Indian traditions affirm that the bay
was once a translucid lake, filled with silver and golden fish,
in the midst of which lay this beautiful island, covered with
every variety of fruits and flowers; but that the sudden irrup-
tion of the Hudson laid waste these blissful scenes, and
Manetho took his flight beyond the great waters of Ontario.

These, however, are fabulous legends to which very cau-
tious credence must be given; and although I am willing to

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