For two generatioi]s the Huguenots of New Rochelle, preserved in its purity the French language, thus testifying their attachment to their native land, the sepulchre of their forefathers, and» to which perhaps, they cherished the hope of a return at souie falure period.

The first dwelling houses were erected on each side of the hiah street. b in the vicinity of the old stone church. At a very early date of the settlement, this appears to have been a flourishing place; for Madame Knight who travelled through the village in 1704 thus describes it.

** On the 22d of December, we set out for New Rochelle, where being come, we had good entertainment, and recruited ourselves very well. This is a very pretty place, well compact, and good handsome houses, clean good and passable roads, and situated on a navigable river, abundance of land well fenced and cleared all along as we passed, which caused in me a love to the place, which I could have been content to live in it. Here we rid over a bridge made of one entire stone, of such a breadth that a cart might pass with safety; and to spare. It lay over a passage cut through a rock to convey water to a mill not far off.<^ Here are three fine taverns withiu call of each other, and very good provision for travellers. ''d

The advantages presented by the proximity of the sound are of great importance to New Rochelle.

Besides the ordinary water transportation by sloops there is the