heavens; and were fashioned, if traditions may be believed, in times
long past, by the mighty spirit Manetho, to protect his favorite abodes
from the unhallowed eyes of mortals. Now did they career it gayly
across the vast expanse of Tappan Bay, whose wide extended shores
present a vast variety of delectable scenery--here the bold promon-
tory, crowned with embowering trees, advancing into the bay--there
the long woodland slope, sweeping up from the shore in rich luxuri-
ance, and terminating in the upland precipice--while at a distance a
long waving line of rocky heights threw their gigantic shades across
the water. Now would they pass where some modest little interval,
opening among these stupendous scenes, yet retreating as it were for
protection into the embraces of the neighboring mountains, displayed
a rural paradise, fraught with sweet and pastoral beauties; the velvet-
tufted lawn--the bushy copse--the tinkling rivulet, stealing through
the fresh and vivid verdure--on whose banks was situated some little
Indian village, or, peradventure, the rude cabin of some solitary
hunter.

The different periods of the revolving day seemed each, with cun-
ning magic, to diffuse a different charm Over the scene. Now would
the jovial sun break gloriously from the east, blazing from the sum-
mits of the hills, and sparkling the landscape with a thousand dewy
gems; while along the borders of the river were seen heavy masses of
mist, which, like midnight caitiffs, disturbed at his approach, made a
sluggish retreat, rolling in sullen reluctance up the mountains. At
such times, all was brightness and life and gayety--the atmosphere
seemed of an indescribable pureness and transparency--the birds
broke forth in wanton madrigals, and the freshening breezes wafted
the vessel merrily on her course. But when the sun sunk amid a
flood of glory in the west, mantling the heavens and the earth with a
thousand gorgeous dyes--then all was calm, and silent, and magnifi-
cent. The late swelling sail hung lifelessly against the mast--the
seamen with folded arms leaned against the shrouds, lost in that in-
voluntary musing which the sober grandeur of nature commands in
the rudest of her children. The vast bosom of the Hudson was like
an unruffled mirror, reflecting the golden splendor of the heavens, ex-
cepting that now and then a dark canoe would steal across its surface,
filled with painted savages, whose gay feathers glared brightly, as
perchance a lingering ray of the setting sun gleamed upon them front
the western mountains.

But when the hour of twilight spread its magic mists around, then
did the face of nature assume a thousand fugitive charms, which, to
the worthy heart that seeks enjoyment in the glorious works of its
Maker, are inexpressibly captivating. The mellow dubious light that
prevailed, just served to tinge with illusive colors the softened fea-
tures of the scenery. The deceived but delighted eye sought vainly
to discern, in the broad masses of shade, the separating line between
the land and water; or to distinguish the fading objects that seemed

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