3. But when he learned that these rejoicings were in honor of a great victory obtained by the combined English and French fleets over the brave De Ruyter and the younger Von Tromp, it went so much to his heart that he took to his bed, and in less than three days was brought to death's door by a violent cholera morbus! But, even in this extremity, he still displayed the unconquerable spirit of Peter the Headstrong; holding out to the last gasp with the most inflexible obstinacy against a whole army of old women, who were bent upon driving the enemy out of his bowels, after a true Dutch mode of defence, by inundating the seat of war with catnip and pennyroyal. 4. While he thus lay, lingering on the verge of dissolution, news was brought him that the brave De Ruyter had suffered but little loss-had made good his retreat-and meant once more to meet the enemy in battle. The closing eye of the old warrior kindled at the words-he partly raised himself in bed —a flash of martial fire beamed across his visage—he clenched his withered hand, as if he felt within his gripe that sword which waved in triumph before the walls of Fort Christina, and, giving a grim smile of exultation, sank back upon his pillow and expired. 5. Thus died Peter Stuyvesant, a valiant soldier-a loyal subject an upright Governor, and an honest Dutchman-who wanted only a few empires to desolate to have been immortal. ized as a hero! 6. His funeral obsequies were celebrated with the utmost grandeur and solemnity. The town was perfectly emptied of its inhabitants, who crowded in throngs to pay the last sad honors to their good old Governor. All his sterling qualities rushed in full tide upon their recollections, while the memory of his foibles and his faults had expired with him. The ancient burghers contended who should have the privilege of bearing the pall; the populace strove who should walk nearest to the bier-and the melancholy procession was closed by a number of gray-headed negroes, who had wintered and summered in the household of their departed master for the greater part of a century. 7. With sad and gloomy countenances the multitude gathered around the grave. They dwelt with mournful hearts on the sturdy virtues, the signal services, and the rallant exploits of the brave old worthy. They recalled with secret upbraidings their own factious opposition to his government; and many an ancient burgher, whose phlegmatic features had never been known to relax, nor his eyes to moisten, was now observed to puff a pensive pipe, and the big drop to steal down his cheek, while he muttered, with affectionate accent and melancholy shake of the head, "Well den!-Hardkoppig Peter ben gone at last!" IRVING. 101. STEAM. VER the billows and over the brine, Am I awake, or do I dream? Over the Ocean to Syria by steam! A steamer brave Is on the wave, Bound, positively, for the Holy Land! Richard, lion-hearted king, Candidly inform us, now, Did you ever? No, you never Could have fancied such a thing. 2. Never such vociferations Eutered your imaginations "Ease her, stop her !" "Any gentleman for Joppa?" "'Mascus, 'Mascus ?" "Ticket, please, Sir." "Tyre or Sidon ?” "Stop her, ease her !" "Jerusalem, 'lem ! 'lem !"-" Shur ! Shur!" Or Pyramids ?" "Thebes! Thebes! Sir !" THE 102. ORIGIN OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. HE sage Oloffe dreamed a dream-and lo, the good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children, and he came and descended hard by where the heroes of Communipaw had made their late repast. 2. And the shrewd Van Kortlandt knew him by his broad hat, his long pipe, and the resemblance which he bore to the figure on the bow of the Goede Vrouw. And he lit his pipe by the fire and sat himself down and smoked; and as he smoked, the smoke from his pipe ascended into the air, and spread like a cloud overhead. 3. And Oloffe bethought him, and he hastened and climbed up to the top of one of the tallest trees, and saw that the smoke spread over a great extent of country-and as he considered it more attentively, be fancied that the great volume of smoke assumed a variety of marvellous forms, where in dim obscurity he saw shadowed out. palaces, and domes, and lofty spires, all of which lasted but a moment, and then faded away, until the whole rolled off, and nothing but the green woods were left. 4. And when St. Nicholas had smoked his pipe, he twisted it in his hat-band, and laying his finger beside his nose, gave the astonished Van Kortlandt a very significant wink, then mounting his wagon, he returned over the tree-tops and disappeared. And Van Kortlandt awoke from his sleep greatly instructed, and he aroused his companions and related to them his dream, and he interpreted it that it wan the will of St. Nicholas that they should settle down and build the city here. 5. And that the smoke of the pipe was a type how vast should be the extent of the city; inasmuch as the volumes of its smoke should spread over a wide extent of country. And they all with one voice assented to this interpretation excepting Mynheer Ten Broeck, who declared the meaning to be that it should be a city wherein a little fire should occasion a great smoke, or, in other words, a very vaporing little city-bot. which interpretations have come strangely to pass ! IRVING. 103. THE DISMISSAL OF GENERAL VON POFFENBURGH, THE vigilant Peter the Headstrong was not to be deceived. Sending privately for the commander-in-chief of all the armies, and having heard all his story, garnished with the customary pious oaths, protestations, and ejaculations"Harkee, comrade," cried he, "though by your own account you are the most brave, upright, and honorable man in the whole province, yet do you lie under the misfortune of being damnably traduced and immeasurably despised. 2. "Now, though it is certainly hard to punish a man for his misfortunes, and though it is very possible you are totally innocent of the crimes laid to your charge, yet as Heaven, at present, doubtless for some wise purpose, sees fit to withhold all proofs of your innocence, far be it from me to counteract its sovereign will. Besides, I cannot consent to venture my armies with a commander whom they despise, or to trust the welfare of my people to a champion whom they distrust. 3. "Retire, therefore, my friend, from the irksome toils and cares of public life with this comforting reflection-that if guilty, you are but enjoying your just reward-and if innocent, you are not the first great and good man who has most wrongfully been slandered and maltreated in this wicked worlddoubtless to be better treated in a better world, where there shall be neither error, calumny, nor persecution. In the mean time, let me never see your face again, for I have a horrible antipathy to the countenances of unfortunate great men like yourself." IRVING. I 104. THE HEIGHT OF RIDICULOUS. WROTE some lines, once on a time, And thought, as usual, men would say 2. They were so queer, so very queer, Albeit in the general way 3. I call'd my servant, and he came; |