Read Ebook: Other Fools and Their Doings or Life among the Freedmen by Goff H N K Harriet Newell Kneeland

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From Boston to Albany.--Worcester and Pittsfield.--The Empire State and its Capital.--Old Associations.--State Street.-- Sketch of Early History.--Killian Van Rensselaer.--Dutch Emigration.--Old Fort Orange.--City Heights.--The Lumber District.--Van Rensselaer Homestead.--The New Capitol.-- Military Bureau.--War Relics.--Letter of General Dix.-- Ellsworth and Lincoln Memorials.--Geological Rooms.--The Cathedral.--Dudley Observatory.--Street Marketing.--Troy and Cohoes.--Stove Works.--Paper Boats.--Grand Army Rooms.--Down the Hudson. 25-37

Geographical Location of Boston.--Ancient Names.--Etymology of the Word Massachusetts.--Changes in the Peninsula.--Noted Points of Interest.--Boston Common.--Old Elm.--Duel Under its Branches.--Soldiers' Monument.--Fragmentary History.-- Courtship on the Common.--Faneuil Hall and Market.--Old State House.--King's Chapel.--Brattle Square Church.--New State House.--New Post Office.--Old South Church.--Birthplace of Franklin.--"News Letter."--City Hall.--Custom House.-- Providence Railroad Station.--Places of General Interest. 38-56

The Niagara Frontier.--Unfortunate Fate of the Eries.--The Battle of Doom.--Times of 1812.--Burning of Buffalo.--Early Names.--Origin of Present Name.--Growth and Population.-- Railway Lines.--Queen of the Great Lakes.--Fort Porter and Fort Erie.--International Bridge.--Iron Manufacture.--Danger of the Niagara.--Forest Lawn Cemetery.--Decoration Day.-- The Spaulding Monument.--Parks and Boulevard.--Delaware Avenue.--On the Terrace.--Elevator District.--Church and Schools.--Grosvenor Library.--Historical Rooms.--Journalism.-- Public Buildings.--City Hall.--Dog-carts and their Attendants. 57-71

Brooklyn a Suburb of New York.--A City of Homes.--Public Buildings.--Churches.--Henry Ward Beecher.--Thomas De Witt Talmage.--Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D.--Justin D. Fulton, D.D.--R. S. Storrs, D.D.--Navy Yard.--Atlantic Dock.-- Washington Park.--Prospect Park.--Greenwood Cemetery.-- Evergreen and Cyprus Hills Cemeteries.--Coney Island.-- Rockaway.--Staten Island.--Glen Island.--Future of Brooklyn. 72-84

Position of Baltimore.--Streets.--Cathedral and Churches.-- Public Buildings.--Educational Institutions.--Art Collections.--Charitable Institutions.--Monuments.--Railway Tunnels.--Parks and Cemeteries.--Druid Hill Park.--Commerce and Manufactures.--Foundation of the City.--Early History.-- Bonaparte-Patterson Marriage.--Storming of Baltimore in 1814.--Maryland at the Breaking-out of the Rebellion.--Assault on Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, in April, 1861.--Subsequent Events during the War.--Baltimore Proves Herself Loyal.-- Re-union of Grand Army of the Republic in Baltimore, September, 1882.--Old Differences Forgotten and Fraternal Relations Established. 85-106

First Visit to Charleston.--Jail Yard.--Bombardment of the City.--Roper Hospital.--Charleston During the War.--Secession of South Carolina.--Attack and Surrender of Fort Sumter.-- Blockade of the Harbor.--Great Fire of 1861.--Capitulation in 1865.--First Settlement of the City.--Battles of the Revolution.--Nullification Act.--John C. Calhoun.--Population of the City.--Commerce and Manufactures.--Charleston Harbor.-- "American Venice."--Battery.--Streets, Public Buildings and Churches.--Scenery about Charleston.--Railways and Steamship Lines.--An Ancient Church.--Magnolia Cemetery.--Drives near the City.--Charleston Purified by Fire. 107-120

Founding of Cincinnati.--Rapid Increase of Population.-- Character of its Early Settlers.--Pro-slavery Sympathies.-- During the Rebellion.--Description of the City.--Smoke and Soot--Suburbs.--"Fifth Avenue" of Cincinnati.--Streets, Public Buildings, Private Art Galleries, Hotels, Churches and Educational Institutions.--"Over the Rhine."--Hebrew Population.--Liberal Religious Sentiment.--Commerce and Manufacturing Interests.--Stock Yards and Pork-packing Establishments.--Wine Making.--Covington and Newport Suspension Bridge.--High Water.--Spring Grove Cemetery. 121-139

The "Western Reserve."--Character of Early Settlers.-- Fairport.--Richmond.--Early History of Cleveland.--Indians.-- Opening of Ohio and Portsmouth Canal.--Commerce in 1845.-- Cleveland in 1850.--First Railroad.--Manufacturing Interests.--Cuyahoga "Flats" at Night.--The "Forest City."-- Streets and Avenues.--Monumental Park.--Public Buildings and Churches.--Union Depot.--Water Rents.--Educational Institutions.--Rocky River.--Approach to the City.--Freshet of 1883.--Funeral of President Garfield.--Lake Side Cemetery.-- Site of the Garfield Monument. 140-156

Topographical Situation of Chicago.--Meaning of the Name.-- Early History.--Massacre at Fort Dearborn.--Last of the Red Men.--The Great Land Bubble.--Rapid Increase in Population and Business.--The Canal.--First Railroad.--Status of the City in 1871.--The Great Fire.--Its Origin, Progress and Extent.--Heartrending Scenes.--Estimated Total Loss.--Help from all Quarters.--Work of Reconstruction.--Second Fire.-- Its Public Buildings, Educational and Charitable Institutions, Streets and Parks.--Its Waterworks.--Its Stock Yards.--Its Suburbs.--Future of the City. 157-175

Location of Cheyenne.--Founding of the City.--Lawlessness.-- Vigilance Committee.--Woman Suffrage.--Rapid Increase of Population and Business.--A Reaction.--Stock Raising.-- Irrigation.--Mineral Resources.--Present Prospects. 176-181

Detroit and Her Avenues of Approach.--Competing Lines.-- London in Canada.--The Strait and the Ferry.--Music on the Waters.--The Home of the Algonquins.--Teusha-grondie.-- Wa-we-aw-to-nong.--Fort Ponchartrain and the Early French Settlers.--The Red Cross of St. George.--Conspiracy of Pontiac.--Battle of Bloody Run.--The Long Siege.--Detroit's First American Flag.--Old Landmarks.--The Pontiac Tree.-- Devastation by Fire.--Site of the Modern City.--New City Hall.--Public Library.--Mexican Antiquities. 182-193

Decoration Day in Pennsylvania.--Lake Erie.--Natural Advantages of Erie.--Her Harbor, Commerce and Manufactures.-- Streets and Public Buildings.--Soldiers' Monument.--Erie Cemetery.--East and West Parks.--Perry's Victory. 194-198

A Historic Tree.--John Harris' Wild Adventure with the Indians.--Harris Park.--History of Harrisburg.--Situation and Surroundings.--State House.--State Library.--A Historic Flag.--View from State House Dome.--Capitol Park.--Monument to Soldiers of Mexican War.--Monument to Soldiers of Late War.--Public Buildings.--Front Street.--Bridges over the Susquehanna.--Mt. Kalmia Cemetery.--Present Advantages and Future Prospects of Harrisburg. 199-206

First Visit to Lancaster.--Eastern Pennsylvania.--Conestoga River.--Early History of Lancaster.--Early Dutch Settlers.-- Manufactures.--Public Buildings.--Whit-Monday.--Home of three Noted Persons.--James Buchanan, his Life and Death.-- Thaddeus Stevens and his Burial Place.--General Reynolds and his Death.--"Cemetery City." 216-221

Rapid Development of the Northwest.--The "West" Forty Years Ago.--Milwaukee and its Commerce and Manufactures.-- Grain Elevators.--Harbor.--Divisions of the City.--Public Buildings.--Northwestern National Asylum for Disabled Soldiers.--German Population.--Influence and Results of German Immigration.--Bank Riot in 1862.--Ancient Tumuli.--Mound Builders.--Mounds Near Milwaukee.--Significance of Same.-- Early Traders.--Foundation of the City in 1835.--Excelling Chicago in 1870.--Population and Commerce in 1880. 222-235

Thousand Islands.--Long Sault Rapids.--Lachine Rapids.-- Victoria Bridge--Mont R?al.--Early History of Montreal.-- Its Shipping Interests.--Quays.--Manufactures.--Population.-- Roman Catholic Supremacy.--Churches.--Nunneries.--Hospitals, Colleges.--Streets.--Public Buildings.--Victoria Skating Rink.--Sleighing.--Early Disasters.--Points of Interest.-- The "Canucks." 236-247

From New York to Newark.--Two Hundred Years Ago.--The Pioneers.--Public Parks.--City of Churches.--The Canal.-- Sailing Up-Hill.--An Old Graveyard.--New Amsterdam and New Netherlands.--The Dutch and English.--Adventurers from New England.--The Indians.--Rate of Population.--Manufactures.-- Rank as a City. 248-255

The City of Elms.--First Impressions.--A New England Sunday.-- A Sail on the Harbor.--Oyster Beds.--East Rock.--The Lonely Denizen of the Bluff.--Romance of John Turner.--West Rock.-- The Judges' Cave.--Its Historical Association.--Escape of the Judges.--Monument on the City Green.--Yale College.--Its Stormy Infancy.--Battle on the Weathersfield Road.--Harvard, the Fruit of the Struggle. 256-263

Locality of New Orleans.--The Mississippi.--The Old and the New.--Ceded to Spain.--Creole Part in the American Revolution. Retransferred to France.--Purchased by the United States.-- Creole Discontent.--Battle of New Orleans.--Increase of Population.--The Levee.--Shipping.--Public Buildings, Churches, Hospitals, Hotels and Places of Amusement.-- Streets.--Suburbs.--Public Squares and Parks.--Places of Historic Interest.--Cemeteries.--French Market.-- Mardi-gras.--Climate and Productions.--New Orleans during the Rebellion.--Chief Cotton Mart of the World.--Exports.-- Imports.--Future Prosperity of the City. 264-280

Early History of New York.--During the Revolution.--Evacuation Day.--Bowling Green.--Wall Street.--Stock Exchange.-- Jacob Little.--Daniel Drew.--Jay Cooke.--Rufus Hatch.-- The Vanderbilts.--Jay Gould.--Trinity Church.--John Jacob Astor.--Post-Office.--City Hall and Court House.--James Gordon Bennett.--Printing House Square.--Horace Greeley.--Broadway.-- Union Square.--Washington Square.--Fifth Avenue.--Madison Square.--Cathedral.--Murray Hill.--Second Avenue.--Booth's Theatre and Grand Opera House.--The Bowery.--Peter Cooper.-- Fourth Avenue.--Park Avenue.--Five Points and its Vicinity.-- Chinese Quarter.--Tombs.--Central Park.--Water Front.-- Blackwell's Island.--Hell Gate.--Suspension Bridge.--Opening Day.--Tragedy of Decoration Day.--New York of the Present and Future. 281-318

Arrival in Omaha.--The Missouri River.--Position and Appearance of the City.--Public Buildings.--History.--Land Speculation.--Panic of 1857.--Discovery of Gold in Colorado.-- "Pike's Peak or Bust."--Sudden Revival of Business.--First Railroad.--Union Pacific Railroad.--Population.--Commercial and Manufacturing Interests.--Bridge over the Missouri.-- Union Pacific Depot--Prospects for the Future. 319-325

Ottawa, the Seat of the Canadian Government.--History.-- Population.--Geographical Position.--Scenery.--Chaudi?re Falls.--Rideau Falls.--Ottawa River.--Lumber Business.-- Manufactures.--Steamboat and Railway Communications.--Moore's Canadian Boat Song.--Description of the City.--Churches, Nunneries, and Charitable Institutions.--Government Buildings.--Rideau Hall.--Princess Louise and Marquis of Lorne.--Ottawa's Proud Boast. 326-331

Pittsburg at Night.--A Pittsburg Fog.--Smoke.--Description of the City.--The Oil Business.--Ohio River.--Public Buildings, Educational and Charitable Institutions.--Glass Industry.-- Iron Foundries.--Fort Pitt Works--Casting a Monster Gun.-- American Iron Works.--Nail Works.--A City of Workers.-- A True Democracy.--Wages.--Character of Workmen.--Value of Organization.--Knights of Labor.--Opposed to Strikes.--True Relations of Capital and Labor.--Railroad Strike of 1877.-- Allegheny City.--Population of Pittsburg.--Early History.-- Braddock's Defeat.--Old Battle Ground.--Historic Relics.-- The Past and the Present. 332-347

The Coast of Maine.--Early Settlements in Portland.--Troubles with the Indians.--Destruction of the Town in 1690.--Destroyed Again in 1703.--Subsequent Settlement and Growth.--During the Revolution.--First Newspaper.--Portland Harbor.--Commercial Facilities and Progress.--During the Rebellion.--Great Fire of 1866.--Reconstruction.--Position of the City.--Streets.-- Munjoy Hill.--Maine General Hospital.--Eastern and Western Promenades.--Longfellow's House.--Birthplace of the Poet.-- Market Square and Hall.--First Unitarian Church.--Lincoln Park.--Eastern Cemetery.--Deering's Woods.--Commercial Street.--Old-time Mansion.--Case's Bay and Islands.-- Cushing's Island.--Peak's Island.--Ling Island.--Little Chebague Island.--Harpswell. 348-365

Early History.--William Penn.--The Revolution.--Declaration of Independence.--First Railroad.--Riots.--Streets and Houses.--Relics of the Past.--Independence Hall.--Carpenters' Hall.--Blue Anchor.--Letitia Court.--Christ Church.--Old Swedes' Church.--Benjamin Franklin.--Libraries.--Old Quaker Almshouse.--Old Houses in Germantown.--Manufactures.-- Theatres.--Churches--Scientific Institutions.--Newspapers.-- Medical Colleges.--Schools.--Public Buildings.-- Penitentiary.--River Front.--Fairmount Park.--Zo?logical Gardens.--Cemeteries.--Centennial Exhibition.-- Bi-Centennial.--Past, Present and Future of the City. 366-398

Origin of the City.--Roger Williams.--Geographical Location and Importance.--Topography of Providence.--The Cove.-- Railroad Connections.--Brown University.--Patriotism of Rhode Island.--Soldiers' Monument.--The Roger Williams Park.-- Narragansett Bay.--Suburban Villages.--Points of Interest.-- Butter Exchange.--Lamplighting on a New Plan.--Jewelry Manufactories. 399-404

Appearance of Quebec.--Gibraltar of America.--Fortifications and Walls.--The Walled City.--Churches, Nunneries and Hospitals.--Views from the Cliff.--Upper Town.--Lower Town.-- Manufactures.--Public Buildings.--Plains of Abraham.--Falls of Montmorenci.--Sledding on the "Cone."--History of Quebec.-- Capture of the City by the British.--Death of Generals Wolfe and Montcalm.--Disaster under General Murray.--Ceding of Canada, by France, to England.--Attack by American Forces under Montgomery and Arnold.--Death of Montgomery.--Capital of Lower Canada and of the Province of Quebec. 405-414

Geographical Position and History of Reading.--Manufacturing Interests.--Population, Streets, Churches and Public Buildings.--Boating on the Schuylkill.--White Spot and the View from its Summit.--Other Pleasure Resorts.--Decoration Day.--Wealth Created by Industry. 415-420

Arrival in Richmond.--Libby Prison.--Situation of the City.-- Historical Associations.--Early Settlement.--Attacked by British Forces in the Revolution.--Monumental Church.-- St. John's Church.--State Capital.--Passage of the Ordinance of Secession.--Richmond the Capital of the Confederate States.--Military Expeditions against the City.--Evacuation of Petersburg.--Surrender of the City.--Visit of President Lincoln.--Historical Places.--Statues.--Rapid Recuperation After the War.--Manufacturing and Commercial Interests.-- Streets and Public Buildings.--Population and Future Prospects. 421-432

Early History of Saint Paul.--Founding of the City.--Public Buildings.--Roman Catholics.--Places of Resort.--Falls of Minnehaha.--Carver's Cave.--Fountain Cave.--Commercial Interests.--Present and Future Prospects. 433-487

The Mormons.--Pilgrimage Across the Continent.--Site of Salt Lake City.--A People of Workers.--Spread of Mormons through other Territories.--City of the Saints.--Streets.--Fruit and Shade Trees.--Irrigation.--The Tabernacle.--Residences of the late Brigham Young.--Museum.--Public Buildings.--Warm and Hot Springs.--Number and Character of Population.-- Barter System before Completion of Railroad.--Mormons and Gentiles.--Present Advantages and Future Prospects of Salt Lake City. 438-447

San Francisco.--The Golden State.--San Francisco Bay.--Golden Gate.--Conquest of California by Fremont, 1848.--Discovery of Gold.--Rush to the Mines, 1849.--"Forty-niners."--Great Rise in Provisions and Wages.--Miners Homeward Bound.--Dissipation and Vice in the City.--Vigilance Committee.--Great Influx of Miners in 1850.--Immense Gold Yield.--Climate.--Earthquakes.-- Productions.--Irrigation.--Streets and Buildings.--Churches.-- Lone Mountain Cemetery.--Cliff House.--Seal Rock.--Theatres.-- Chinese Quarter.--Chinese Theatres.--Joss Houses.--Emigration Companies.--The Chinese Question.--Cheap Labor.--"The Chinese Must Go."--Present Population and Commerce of San Francisco.-- Exports.--Manufactures.--Cosmopolitan Nature of Inhabitants. 448-472

First Visit to Savannah.--Camp Davidson.--The City During the War.--An Escaped Prisoner.--Recapture and Final Escape.--A "City of Refuge."--Savannah by Night.--Position of the City.--Streets and Public Squares.--Forsyth Park.-- Monuments.--Commerce.--View from the Wharves.--Railroads.-- Founding of the City.--Revolutionary History.--Death of Pulaski.--Secession.--Approach of Sherman.--Investment of the City by Union Troops.--Recuperation After the War.-- Climate.--Colored Population.--Bonaventure, Thunderbolt, and Other Suburban Resorts. 473-486

Valley of the Connecticut.--Location of Springfield.-- The United States Armory.--Springfield Library.--Origin of the Present Library System.--The Wayland Celebration.-- Settlement of Springfield.--Indian Hostilities.--Days of Witchcraft.--Trial of Hugh Parsons.--Hope Daggett.-- Springfield "Republican." 487-491

Approach to St. Louis.--Bridge Over the Mississippi.--View of the City.--Material Resources of Missouri.--Early History of St. Louis.--Increase of Population.--Manufacturing and Commercial Interests.--Locality.--Description of St. Louis in 1842.--Resemblance to Philadelphia.--Public Buildings.-- Streets.--Parks.--Fair Week.--Educational and Charitable Institutions.--Hotels.--Mississippi River.--St. Louis During the Rebellion.--Peculiar Characteristics.--The Future of the City. 492-510

Glimpses on the Rail.--Schenectady.--Valley of the Mohawk.-- "Lover's Leap."--Rome and its Doctor.--Oneida Stone.--The Lo Race.--Oneida Community.--The City of Salt.--The Six Nations.--The Onondagas.--Traditions of Red Americans.-- Hiawatha.--Sacrifice of White Dogs.--Ceremonies.--The Lost Tribes of Israel.--Witches and Wizards.--A Jules Verne Story.--The Salt Wells of Salina.--Lake Onondaga.--Indian Knowledge of Salt Wells.--"Over the Hills and Far Away."-- A Castle.--Steam Canal Boats.--Adieux.--Westward Ho! 511-521

Situation of Toronto.--The Bay.--History.--Rebellion of 1837.--Fenian Invasion of 1866.--Population.--General Appearance.--Sleighing.--Streets.--Railways.--Commerce.-- Manufactures.--Schools and Colleges.--Queen Park.-- Churches.--Benevolent Institutions.--Halls and Other Public Buildings.--Hotels.--Newspapers.--General Characteristics and Progress. 522-527

Situation of the National Capital.--Site Selected by Washington.--Statues of General Andrew Jackson, Scott, McPherson, Rawlins.--Lincoln Emancipation Group.--Navy Yard Bridge.--Capitol Building.--The White House.--Department of State, War and Navy.--The Treasury Department.--Patent Office.--Post Office Department.--Agricultural Building.-- Army Medical Museum.--Government Printing Office.--United States Barracks.--Smithsonian Institute.--National Museum.-- The Washington Monument.--Corcoran Art Gallery.--National Medical College.--Deaf and Dumb Asylum.--Increase of Population.--Washington's Future Greatness. 528-558

ALBANY.

From Boston to Albany.--Worcester and Pittsfield.--The Empire State and its Capital.--Old Associations.--State Street.--Sketch of Early History.--Killian Van Rensselaer.--Dutch Emigration.-- Old Fort Orange.--City Heights.--The Lumber District.--Van Rensselaer Homestead.--The New Capitol.--Military Bureau.-- War Relics.--Letter of General Dix.--Ellsworth and Lincoln Memorials.--Geological Rooms.--The Cathedral.--Dudley Observatory.--Street Marketing.--Troy and Cohoes.--Stove Works.--Paper Boats.--Grand Army Rooms.--Down the Hudson.

An exceedingly cold day was February fourth, 1875, the day which marked our journey from Boston to Albany. My inclination to step outside our car and tip my hat to the various familiar places along the route was suddenly checked by a gust of cutting, freezing, zero-stinging air. A ride of between one and two hours brought us to Worcester, a stirring town of about forty thousand inhabitants. Worcester is noted principally for its cotton factories, and as a political center in Eastern Massachusetts.

Leaving Pittsfield we soon reached the State line between New York and Massachusetts. I sometimes think that after a residence in almost every State of the Union, I ought to feel no greater attraction for my native State than any other, yet I cannot repress a sentiment of stronger affection for good, grand old New York than any other in the united sisterhood. The Empire State has indeed a charm for me, and a congenial breeze, I imagine, always awaits me at its boundary.

A ride of another hour brings to view the church spires of Albany, and with them a long line of thrilling memories come rushing, like many waters, to my mind. Here, in 1859, I entered the State Normal School; here I resolved to enter the army; and here the first edition of my first book was published, in the autumn of 1865. The work, therefore, of presenting this chapter upon the peculiar features of the Capital City of New York, may be regarded as one of the most agreeable duties I have to perform in the preparation of these pages.

The traveler now entering Albany from the east crosses the Hudson on a beautiful iron railroad bridge, which, in the steady march of improvements, has succeeded the old-time ferry boat. He is landed at the commodious stone building of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, which is conveniently sandwiched between the Delavan House and Stanwix Hall, two large, well known and well conducted hotels.

My first night in a city and a hotel was spent here, at the old Adams House, located at that time on Broadway just opposite the Delavan. I was awakened in the morning by the roll and rattle of vehicles, and the usual din and confusion of a city street. The contrast to my quiet home in the Valley of the St. Lawrence was so marked, I can never forget the impression I then received, and as I walked up State street toward the old Capitol, I almost fancied that such a street might be a fit road to Paradise. Albany was the gate through which I entered the world, and to my boyish vision the view it disclosed was very wide, and the grand possibilities that lay in the dim distance seemed manifold. It is the oldest city, save Jamestown, Va., in the Union, having been settled in the very babyhood of the seventeenth century, somewhere about 1612 or 1614. It was originally, until the year 1661, only a trading post on the frontier, the entire region of country to the westward being unexplored and unknown, except as the "far west." The red warriors of the Mohegans, Senecas, Mohawks and the remaining bands of the "Six Nations" held undisputed possession of the soil, and kindled their council fires and danced their "corn dances" in peace, unmolested as yet by the aggressive pale-faces.

The baptismal name of the embryo city of Albany was Scho-negh-ta-da, an Indian word meaning "over the plains." The name was afterwards transferred to the outlying suburban town now known as Schenectady. An immense tract of land bordering the Hudson for twenty-four miles, and reaching back from the river three times that distance, included Albany within its jurisdiction, and was originally owned by a rich Dutch merchant, one Killian Van Rensselaer, from Amsterdam. The land was purchased from the Indians for the merest trifle, after the usual fashion of white cupidity when dealing with Indian generosity and ignorance. Emigrants were sent over from the old country to people this wide domain, and thus the first white colony was established, which subsequently grew into sufficient importance to become the Capital city of the Empire State.

Before the purchase of Killian Van Rensselaer, a fort was built somewhere on what is now known as Broadway, and was named Fort Orange, in honor of the Prince of Orange, who was at that time patroon of New Netherlands, as New York was at first called. Old Fort Orange afterwards went by various names, among which were Rensselaerwyck, Beaverwyck and Williamstadt. In 1664 the sovereignty of the tract passed into the hands of the English, and was named Albany, in compliment to the Duke of Albany. In 1686 the young city aspired to a city charter, and its first mayor, Peter Schuyler, was then elected. In 1807 it became the Capital of the State. As an item of interest, it may be mentioned that the first vessel which ascended the river as far as Albany was the yacht Half Moon, Captain Hendrick Hudson commanding.

Albany, like ancient Rome, sits upon her many hills, and the views obtained from the city heights are beautiful in the extreme. The Helderbergs and the Catskill ranges loom blue and beautiful towards the south, Troy and the Green Mountains of Vermont can be seen from the north, while beyond the river, Bath-on-the-Hudson and the misty hill tops further away, rim the horizon's distant verge. The city has a large trade in lumber, and that portion of it which is known as the "lumber district" is devoted almost exclusively to this branch. One may walk, of a summer's day, along the smooth and winding road between the river and the canal, for two miles or more, and encounter nothing save the tasteful cottage-like offices, done in Gothic architecture, of the merchant princes in this trade, sandwiched between huge piles of lumber, rising white and high in the sun, and giving out resinous, piney odors. Not far from this vicinity stands the old Van Rensselaer homestead, guarded by a few primeval forest trees that have survived the wreck of time and still keep their ancient watch and ward. The old house, I have been told, is now deserted of all save an elderly lady, one of the last of the descendants of the long and ancient line of Van Rensselaer. Numerous points of interest dot the city in all directions, from limit to limit, and claim the attention of the stranger. Among the most prominent of these is, of course, the new Capitol building now in process of construction at the head of State street. A very pretty model of the structure is on exhibition in a small wooden building standing at the entrance to the grounds, which gives, I should judge, a clever idea of what the future monumental pile is to be like. Its height is very imposing, and the tall towers and minarets which rise from its roof will give it an appearance of still greater grandeur. It is built of granite quarried from Maine and New Hampshire, and is in the form of a parallelogram, enclosing an open court. Had I a sufficient knowledge of architecture to enable me to talk of orders, of pilasters, columns, entablatures and fa?ades, I might perhaps give my readers a clearer idea of the magnificence of this new structure, which will stand without a rival, in this country at least, and may even dare to compete with some of the marvellous splendors of the old world.

The Old Capitol and the State Library stand just in front of the new building, and obscure the view from the foot of State street. The Senate and Assembly chambers in the old building have an antiquated air, with their straight-backed chairs upholstered in green and red, and the rough stairways leading to the cupola, through an unfurnished attic, are suggestive of accident. In this cupola, once upon a time, in the year 1832, a certain Mr. Weaver, tired of life and its turmoil, swung himself out of it on a rope. So the cupola has its bit of romance. In this neighborhood, on State street, above the Library, is located the Bureau of Military Statistics, which is well worth a visit from every New Yorker who takes a pride in the military glory of his native State. One is greeted at the entrance with a host of mementos of our recent civil war, which bring back a flood of patriotic memories. Here is a collection of nine hundred battle flags, all belonging to the State, most of them torn and tattered in hard service, and inscribed with the names of historic fields into which they went fresh and bright, and out of which they came smoked and begrimed, and torn with the conflict of battle. Here are old canteens which have furnished solace to true comrades on many occasions of mutual hardship. Here, too, is the Lincoln collection, with its sad reminders of the nation's loved and murdered President; and in a corner of the same room the Ellsworth collection is displayed from a glass case. His gun and the Zouave suit worn by him at the time of his death hang side by side, and there, too, is the flag which, with impetuous bravery, he tore down from the top of the Marshall House at Alexandria, Virginia. In the same case hangs the picture of his avenger, Captain Brownell, and the rifle with which he shot Jackson. In another part of the room may be seen the original letter of Governor, then Secretary, Dix, which afterwards became so famous, and which created, in a great measure, the wave of popularity that carried him into the gubernatorial chair.

The letter reads as follows:--

"TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January, 29th, 1861.

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