The quaint old weathercocks and finials, the crowstepped gables and the hall paved with Dutch tiles, are among the ancient and venerable ornaments of the houses of the original settlers of Manhattan, now almost extinct among us. There is also a quaint keeping in the cottage, and grounds around it, that assists in making up the chain of the whole ; the gently swelling slope reaching down to the water's edge, bordered by prettily wooded ravines, through which a brook meanders pleasantly, and threaded by foot paths, ingeniously contrived, so as sometimes to afford secluded walks, and at others to allow fine vistas of the broad expanse of river scenery.''^.

Over tlie porch, is the following inscription : .. ' ... ■

M,nm 1650. ^ ^. ,;. . .- •• .': .^

Unno 1835.

' Geo. Harvey, ' , Architect.

» Downing's Rural Architecture, 335.

Above the peaked turret of the portal, pttters a horse in full gallop, once the weathercock of the great Van der Hydeii palace at Albany ; the other upon the eastern gable formerly surmounted the Stadt House of New Amsterdam.

The interior is in perfect harmony with the exterior design of this quaint and venerable edifice. In the. library are preserved the elbow chair and writing desk of Diedrich Knickerbocker.

?unny Side, the residence of the Eon. Washington Irving.

" Van Tassel House" occupies the site of " Wolfert's Roost," which was built by Wolfert Ecker, an ancient Dutch burgher of this town.

In 1697, we find recorded the name of Jan Ecker, first accepted deacon of the Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow, which office he appears to have held for several years. By his wife, Magdalentje Jan Ecker, left issue Wolfert, Cornelis and others.