THE EMIGRANT YOUTH, ETC. 143

the waves for ages past. But, above this rocky girdle,
the land slopes with a gentle curve, and is covered with
the richest verdure. Just beyond this natural lawn,
the remains ofthe forest overshadow the green, and
give retirement to many a strolling fisherman and
fowler ; as in former days the mightier groves protected
the Indian, before these waters were ever entered by
Hendrick Hudson and his crews. |

From some points, the steeples of the great city, not
many miles distant, may be clearly seen, and, at most
times, a heavy cloud from the smoke of chimneys and
furnaces overhangs the spot. The wide river, or arm
of the sea, is frequented by craft of every description,
from the enormous steamboat, winding through those
difficult rocks and whirlpools towards the Sound and
the Atlantic, to the pretty skiff, in which city-boys too
often venture their lives. This makes the view from
Sunnyside a perpetual panorama; and it went to the
heart of Carl with a thrill of delight, when he first sat
and viewed it from the door of his humble school-
house.

Humble, indeed, it was; but it was on a site which
~ made up for all defects. The little edifice was of stone,
and had been cast, by the whim of the builder, into
the shape of an octagon, The door and chimney
occupied two sides, and there was a window in each of
_ the remaining six. One room took up all the space;
and it was well that the school was small, for you