The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas

s speech be spok

e on witho

and

trade and internal intercourse. To this fortunate disposition of land and water, with a temperate climate, a central position, and an immense interior, that is now penetrated, in every direction, either by artificial or by natural streams, the city of New-York is indebted for its extraordinary prosperity. Though not wanting in beauty, there are many bays that surpass this in the charms of scenery; but it may be questioned if the world possesses another site that unites so many n

rdinary and fortunate country, has already raised the insignificant provincial town of the last century to the level of the second-rate cities of the other hemisphere. The New-Amsterdam of

s receding from its crumbling walls, like the human form shrinking into "the lean and slipper'd pantaloon," the Queen of the Adriatic sleeping on her muddy isles, and Rome it

aily increase and the general movement of his native town, the picture we are about to sketch will scarcely be recognized. He who shall come a generation later will probably smile, that subject of

xplosion was followed by the appearance of a flag, which, as it rose to the summit of its staff and unfolded itself heavily in the light current of air, showed the blue field and red cross of the English ensign. At the distance of several miles, the dark masts of a

ill-arranged entrances of the buildings of the place are still termed. He was seemingly prepared for some expedition that was likely to consume the day. A black of middle age followed the burgher to

-ahem-Euclid. I leave thee in charge with goods and chattels, house and stable, with my character in the neighborhood. I am going to the Lust in Rust, for a mouthful of better air. Plague and fevers! I believe the people will continue to come into this crowded town, until it gets to be as pestilent as Rotterdam in the dog-days. You have now come to years when a man obtains his reflection, boy, and I expect suitable care and discretion about the premises, while my back is turned. Now, harkee, sirrah: I am not entirely pleased with the character of thy company. It is not altogether as respectable as becomes the confidential servant of a man of a certain station in the world. There are thy two cousins, Brom and Kobus, who are no better than a couple of blackguards; and as for the

ell Masser dat time;" returned the ne

e so often looking into, especially on Sundays; and, if either of the tire-legs I have named dares to enter my grounds, let him expect to pay a visit to the city Provost. What do the wild-cats mean? D

do him! He do a mischief, and he do all a work, too

e neighbors' horses, at night. His fate should be a warning to every negro in the colony. The imps of darkness! The English have no such sca

of a spoiled Dutch negro, singularly blended with affection for him in whose service he had been bo

r, and with the others thou canst lighten thy heart in the Paus merrymakings-if I hear that either of thy rascally cousins, or the English Diomede, has put a leg across beast of mine,

ong as the latter continued in sight, the black watched his form in doubt; and when it had turned a corner, he stood at gaze, for a moment, with a negro on a neighboring stoop; then both shook their heads significantly, laughed aloud, and retired. That night, the confidential servant attended to the interests of his absent master, with a fidelity and care which proved he felt his o

r was a little turned of fifty: and an English wag, who had imported from the mother country a love for the humor of his nation, had once, in a conflict of wits before the city council, described him to be a man of alliterations. When called upon to explain away this breach of parliamentary decorum, the punster had gotten rid of the matter, by describing his opponent to be "short, solid and sturdy, in stature; full, flushed and funny, in face; and proud, ponderous

me facetious observation adapted to the habits and capacity of the slave. From this, it would seem, that, while he had so exaggerated notions of domestic discipline, the worthy burgher was far from being one who indulged, by inclination, in the menaces he has been heard to utter. He had just dismissed one of these loitering neg

claimed the individual encountered. "Such is the order of events,

ed to answer to this free and somewhat facetious salutation. Uncovering his head, he bowed

on. That we of business habits stir betimes, is quite in reason; but there are those i

ell-employed man. He that dealeth in the produce of the beaver must have the animal's perseverance and forethought! Now, were I a king-at-arms, there should be a

elish the pleasantry of his companion, "of a spotless shield for a clear consc

search a herald's office for honors. I remember, now I bethink me, on some occasion to have seen their bearings; a windmill, courant; dyke, c

tisfy a creditor, my Lord,

, like the ghost in Hamlet, to flee into the narrow house with the crowing of the cock. The ear of my royal cousin hath been po

o those who have turned the key, as will e

twithstanding there was the evidence of a reckless disposition in his features, dress and carriage, his tall and not ungraceful form, as he walked slowly onward, by the si

ony; but these are facts that might be reversed, were I once in a position to approach my kinswoman. I do not disclaim certain indiscretions, Sir; it would ill become me to deny them, in presence of one whose virtue is as severe as that of Alderman Van Beverout. I have my failings

your friendship, I shall not b

ny rather Dutch than English, and yet, you see, how few names are found in the list of the Council, that have been known in the province half a century! Here are your Alexanders and Heathcotes, your Morris's and Kennedies, de Lanceys and Livingstons, filling the Council and the legislative halls; but we find few of the Van Rensselaers, Van Courtlandts, Van Schuylers, Stu

en the case. I cannot remem

istration can be stigmatized with the same apparent prejudice, it proves the clearer how strong is misrepresentation at home. Time was want

y condition in which you are now pla

but opportunity. It touches me to the heart, to think that this disgrace should befall one so near the royal blood! 'Tis a spot on the escutcheon of the crown

turned the other, observing

ian settlement?-Shall a German

en worn by

n in that reply. How have I failed in wisdom, in not seeking earlier the aid of thy advice, excell

ious to earn, and

call it, interferes nefariously, at times, with a gentleman's prosperity. I am an adorer of constancy in friendship, S

rd Cor

at not having sooner ascertained the merits of its original owners, and your own in particular, I

creditors will relent, or has the Earl

d turn the key. I am pained when I think of the displeasure of the Queen, which, sooner or later, will surely visit my luckless persecutors. On the other hand, I find relief in thinking of the favor she will extend t

Lo

the Flemish

a little rest for the innocents, since business calls me to the Lust in Rust. The

sin, there would quickly be an end to this delusion, and the colony should be once more restored to a healthful state. The men of a generation should cease to lord it over the men of a century. But we

ood L

the colony, in which I have taken a nearer interest, than in that desirable connexion. The wooing of

ellent estat

ity beyond

two-thirds of his income goes to increase t

a man to l

noble assets," continued the Alderman,

is no p

achusetts. A hundred thousand acres of hill and

We owe it to his station to admit him to a share of this, our project to undeceive the Queen. H

ery good and an i

hey are fomenters of discord, disturbers of the public mind, and captious disputants about prerogatives and vested rights. But there is a repose in the Dutch character which lends it dignity! The descendants of the Hollanders are men to be co

he Alderman, glancing a look behind him, and lowering his voice. "There wa

essity there should be one at court to undeceive the Queen. Innovators sh

worse for Her M

w actually marry your niece, the family would altogether change i

woman was a

Alida to the quality of a half-blood. The Ludlow connexion woul

e the credit of my worst enemy; but, though wealthy, he is f

be sent into the

Lo

act from your friendship, in his favor; the necessary sum may be divided, in moieties, between you; a common bond shall render the affair compact; and

and pounds

aats requires that you let him into the affair. Were it not for the suit with your

he high prices of furs the past season, and delay

ium would

the face of a Carolus is almost as gre

turns c

ditors meet him,

would be alto

to reserve our gold, for some extraordi

n Myndert Va

Viscount

ell the secrets of my prison-house. There is one, in yonder cage, who whispers that the 'Skimmer of the Seas' is o

and ceremonious bow. "Enterprises that are said to have occupied the Earl of Bellamont,

elt the sting the other had applied, since common report implicated not only him, but his two official predecessors, in several of the lawles

in an effort, that nothing but his desperate condition, and nearly desperate character, could have induced him to attempt, the degenerate descendant of the virtuous Clarendon walked towards his place of c