Opposite Hoboken, saw the old State Prison-now turned into a doctor's shop. Country remarkable for revolutions-every thing changing, excepting political

creeds.

Wee-hawk-first called so by the Scotch, who settled there some years since, and all had their pigeons, poultry, and singing birds, destroyed by a very small species of hawk, which they could never kill-old settlers not good shots, I suppose.

On the top of the hill saw a splendid palace. Captain said it belonged to a barber, felt wonder-struck, till informed that shaving is the most flourishing business in the country--Mem. to write Anderson on the subject, just suit him, soon out of his time.

Now pass Bull's Ferry. Singular history of it by Captain. North River once fordable at this place; bulls used to cross from Jersey to Bloomingdale, about kneedeep; and pass over the country to Cow-Bay. At that period no cows kept in Jersey, no bulls on Long Island, all swam the Sound; must have been a very round about way to make veal-Fulton market supplied altogether from Cow-Bay at the present time.

Saw an immense raft of timber floating down with the tide called an ark--wondered why-tall thin man dressed like a quaker explained-people live on it in little wooden huts--made fast to three or four logs in the centre,―saw several men and women walking about-told they collect timber up the river-make it fast to their foundation logs-float it to New York-leave it along shore-then return in their arks:--many large families raised on them :-strange mode of living-sup

pose the land is overstocked with people, and they are obliged to take to the water :-enquire into this.

On the right hand a partial view of Manhattanville— a small, dirty village in a hollow :-the name merely a corruption of men, hats on? Quaker-looking friend explained the origin of it. Many years ago remnant of a tribe of Indians inhabited this spot ;-white people unable to purchase the land of them, because first rate hunting ground;-formed a conspiracy-went to the encampment under the pretence of holding a talk-stood up while the savages were all seated on the grass —had hats in their hands-conversed in a friendly manner-lulled their victims into fancied security-when, at the preconcerted signal of their leader, "Men, hats on !" instantly covered their heads, rushed upon the poor unsuspecting sons of the forest, and slew every one of them, men, women and children! Horrible cruelty and injustice! N. B. owing to the density of a civilized population!

On the Jersey shore saw Fort Lee-no fort in sight, probably none there. On the eastern side observed the entrance of Spike-in-devil creek—singular tradition connected with the name-wizard raised the devil to tell him where a large sum of money was buried during the revolution-devil refused-wizard became furious-ran a spike through the fiend's body, drove it into a hole in the ground, when the point stuck into the lid of a chest, which contained the identical treasure he wanted to find-took it home and bought all Kingsbridge-first throwing the devil, with the spike in his body, into the creek!-expressed some doubts-captain swore it was

all true that he was acquainted with the wizard's great grand son-don't believe it for all that-can't swallow every thing.

Now arrived off Yonkers-can see nothing but the dock, a tavern, (as they call all public houses here,) and the spire of a church,-enquired the origin of the name of this town,-explanation natural and satisfactoryplace where all the boys in the state of New York are educated-town swarms with them,—no adults allowed to live there but teachers-therefore called first Youngster's town, now Yonkers :-odd circumstance, but undoubtedly true.

Swiss child fell overboard-loud screaming of the women, quite terrific;-engine stopped-boat lowered, two Irishmen jumped into the river, and saved the little fellow from a watery grave.-Noble act--great applause, but no gratitude expressed by the parents;-used to such things, perhaps. Strange pronunciation of the word engine--Americans make the i long:--had a dispute with the captain about it-wagered me a dollar it was right-got a copy of Walker's dictionary from a bookpedlar on board-showed him his error-won the bet, and got passage free!

Just congratulating myself on making a dollar, the captain out or humour, swears the book is not correctly printed--is nothing but a catch-penny, and he don't believe in it:-could not help smiling at the subterfuge - however, let him off for a treat-and set him down as no gentleman. The pedlar and captain quarrel, because he latter undervalues the former's wares. N. B. setd with a pint of cider.

Just saw a large fish spring out of the water, enquired what it was, Captain said it was Albany beef-wanted to insult me--but pocketed it, understood afterwards it was a sturgeon:-strange thing no cattle eaten at Albany:--must be the Hudson river hippopotamus-no legs though-very singular.

Tide turned-beautiful sight-sloops, schooners, pettiaugers and fishing smacks, all under way at oncequite a fleet-sun shining on their white sails-all mixed up together-apparent confusion-all stear clear of one another; delightful scene; American sailors better than American charioteers; beat, tack and traverse, with great dexterity; really wonderful; good lesson for English yatch club.”

Considering the above sufficient as a specimen of my young friend's industry, and talent for observation, I shall reserve the remainder of his notes till another time. On the occasion mentioned above, we returned to town in the evening, and parted in Broadway, since when I have not had the pleasure of seeing him; but presume that he is still actively engaged in collecting facts for a volume of travels in America.

To

THE OTTER HUNT.*

"A lie-a damned lie!"

Pull devil now, pull baker, then ;
And now, good devil, pull again.
Now baker, now the devil assail,
Catch at his horns, or try his tail.

SHAKSPEARE.

I have been accused of a very extraordinary offence, viz. of stating too much truth in my trifling communications to your paper. This, I consider is a very serious charge, and calculated to injure me in the estimation of "many well-meaning people about town." And as I feel anxious to remove all the unfavourable impressions it may have created, I am now about to convince my accusers that I can tell a lie with as much facility as the best of them; although I shall not make a regular practice of so doing—even to gain their approbation. You must know, then, that one day last week, I was spending an afternoon at that delightful place on the Third Avenue, called the "Red House Pleasure Grounds." A select party, among whom I had the honour to be included,) was engaged in shooting pigeons, smoking cigars, sipping grog, and cracking jokes: in that spirit of sociability which the fineness of the day, and the beauty of the surrounding scenery, were well calculated to inspire. On a sudden an exclamation burst from two or three of the party whose faces were turned towards that part of Harlem river which runs between Great Barn Island and the point they were stand

* The animal seen was a Mink-it escaped, after being shot at once.