wall to a later period, but they are wholly incorrect; for a
memorandum. in the Stuyvesant manuscript, dated towards
the middle of the governor's reign, mentions this wall particu-
larly, as a very strong and curious piece of workmanship, and
the admiration of all the savages in the neighbourhood. And
it mentions, moreover, the alarming circumstance of a drove
of stray cows breaking through the grand wall of a dark night;
by which the whole community of New Amsterdam was
thrown into a terrible panic.

In addition to this great wall, he cast up several outworks to
Fort Amsterdam, to protect the sea-board, at the point of the
island. These consisted of formidable mud batteries, solidly
faced, after the manner of the Dutch ovens, common in those
days, with clam-shells.

These frowning bulwarks, in process of time, came to be
pleasantly overrun by a verdant carpet of grass and clover,
and their high embankments overshadowed by wide-spreading
sycamores, among whose foliage the little birds sported about,
rejoicing the ear with their melodious notes. The old burghers
would repair of an afternoon to smoke their pipes under the
shade of their branches, contemplating the golden sun as he
gradually sunk into the west, an emblem of that tranquil end
towards which themselves were hastening -- while the young
men and the damsels of the town would take many a moon-
light stroll among these favourite haunts, watching the silver
beams of chaste Cynthia tremble along the calm bosom of the
bay, or light up the white sail of some gliding bark, and inter-
changing the honest vows of constant affection. Such was the
origin of that renowned walk, THE BATTERY, which, though
ostensibly devoted to the purpose of war, has ever been conse-
crated to the sweet delights of peace. The favourite walk of
declining age -- the healthful resort of the feeble invalid -- the
Sunday refreshment of the dusty tradesman -- the scene of
many a boyish gambol -- the rendezvous of many a tender as-
signation -- the comfort of the citizen -- the ornament of New-
York, and the pride of the lovely island of Manna-hata.

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