the opening of the majestic Highlands. But my pen affords an altogether inadequate description of the scene.

Peekskill is certainlj^ well situated for purposes of education, furnishing as it does facilities for communicating daily, nay, almost hourly, with the great city; and from my own personal inference, as well as the testimony of others, I doubt whether there is a place in the whole range of the Hudson, where health can be more conveniently soi^oht, or more surely gained.

The academy was built with a capital stock of $7000, divided into shares of five dollars each, and taken up principally by the inhabitants of the village. The principal, Mr. Albert Wells, is a very worthy, intelligent teacher. The present number of pupils is about sixty. Board is furnished in the same building to scholars whose parents do not reside in the vilhige.a

Near the entrance of the village stands the Westchester Bank. This institution was first established in Peekskill in 1833, with a capital of $200,000, and General Pierre van Cortlandt elected President. It is at present in a flourishing condition, and like the hills of Westchester, has so far stood firm and unmoved amid troublesome times. The stock has sold at almost as orreat an advance as ever the United States Bank stock did. The Westchester Bank declared its first dividend six months after its establishment. The bills contain a beautiful vignette representing the capture of Andre by the three farmers of Westchester County ; besides a neat engraving of the Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt. There is also a bust of this individual in the bank, presented by his son, Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt.