Part 7 (1/2)
Wherever in the civilized world there has been disaster by fire or flood, or from earthquake or pestilence, she has been among the foremost in the field of givers and has remained there when others have departed. It is a shame to speak of her as parsimonious or as failing in any benevolent duty. Those who charge her with being dilatory should remember that haste is not always speed. It took more than a quarter of a century to erect Bunker Hill Monument; the ladies of Boston completed it. It took nearly half a century to erect a monument to George Was.h.i.+ngton in the City founded by him, named for him, and by his act made the Capital of the Nation; the Government completed it. New York has already shown that she will do far better than this.”
His glory as the centuries wide, His honor bright as sunlit seas, His lullaby the Hudson tide, His requiem the whispering breeze.
_Wallace Bruce._
=The Thirteen Elm Trees=, about ten or fifteen minutes' walk from General Grant's Tomb, were planted by Alexander Hamilton in his door-yard, a century ago, to commemorate the thirteen original States.
This property was purchased by the late Hon. Orlando Potter, of New York, with the following touch of patriotic sentiment: ”These famous trees are located in the northeast corner of One Hundred and Forty-third street and Convent Avenue; or, on lots fourteen and fifteen,” said the auctioneer to the crowd that gathered at the sale.
”In order that the old property with the trees may be kept unbroken, should the purchaser desire, we will sell lots 8 to 21 inclusive in one batch! How much am I offered?” ”One hundred thousand dollars,”
quietly responded Mr. Potter. A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd, and the bid was quickly run up to $120,000 by speculators. ”One hundred and twenty-five thousand,” said Mr. Potter. Then there were several thousand dollar bids, and the auctioneer said: ”Do I hear one hundred and thirty?” Mr. Potter nodded. He nodded again at the ”thirty-five” and ”forty” and then some one raised him $250. ”Five hundred,” remarked Mr. Potter, and the bidding was done. ”Sold for $140,500!” cried the auctioneer. Mr. Potter smiled and drew his check for the amount. ”I can't say what I will do with the property,” said Mr. Potter. ”You can rest a.s.sured, however, that the trees will not be cut down.”
Rest in peace by stately rivers martyred soldiers of the free, Rest brave captain, at our threshold, where the Hudson meets the sea.
_Wallace Bruce._
=Edgewater=, opposite Grant's Tomb on the west bank, lies between Undercliff on the north and Shadyside on the south. The latter place was made historic by Anthony Wayne's capture of supplies for the American army in the summer of 1780 which formed the basis of a satirical poem by Major Andre, ent.i.tled =”The Cow Chase.”=
The steamer is now approaching 129th street, and we turn again with pride to the beautiful tomb of General Grant which fittingly marks one point of a great triangle of fame--the heroic struggle of the American soldiers in 1776, the home of Alexander Hamilton, and the burial place of the greatest soldier of the Civil War.
Woodman, spare that tree!
Touch not a single bough!
In youth it sheltered me, And I will protect it now.
_George P. Morris._
=One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Street to Yonkers.=
This upper landing of the Hudson River Day Line has a beautiful location and is a great convenience to the dwellers of northern Manhattan. On leaving the pier the steel-arched structure of Riverside Drive is seen on the right. The valley here spanned, in the neighborhood of 127th Street, was once known as ”Marritje Davids'
Fly,” and the local name for this part of New York above Claremont Heights is still known as ”Manhattanville.” The Convent of the Sacred Heart is visible among the trees, and
=Trinity Cemetery's Monuments= soon gleam along the wooded bank. Among her distinguished dead is the grave of General John A. Dix whose words rang across the land sixty days before the attack on Fort Sumter: ”If any man attempts to pull down the American flag shoot him on the spot.” The John A. Dix Post of New York comes. .h.i.ther each Decoration Day and garlands with imposing ceremonies his grave and the graves of their comrades.
Near Carmansville was the home of Audubon, the ornithologist, and the residences above the cemetery are grouped together as Audubon Park.
Near at hand is the New York Inst.i.tute for the Deaf and Dumb, and pleasantly located near the sh.o.r.e the River House once known as West-End Hotel.
=Was.h.i.+ngton Heights= rise in a bold bluff above Jeffrey's Hook. After the withdrawal of the American army from Long Island, it became apparent to General Was.h.i.+ngton and Hamilton that New York would have to be abandoned. General Greene and Congress believed in maintaining the fort, but future developments showed that Was.h.i.+ngton was right.