They render the convicts more orderly and sober-minded, and divert their attention from less profitable subjects."

Zion Hill in the vicinity of the prison, the properly of Mr. Peter Weatherby, is famous as being the scene of Matthias' impositions.

A few Revolutionary incidents connected with Sing Sing deserve to be recorded here.

In the year 1774, a regiment under the command of Colonel James, (director of the silver mines in this place,) was stationed at Sing Sing. Upon the breaking out of hostilities it was ordered to Boston.

Some days previous and subsequent to the memorable battle of White Plains, the British vessels of war, consisting of the Tartar, Roebuck and Phoenix, lay off Sing Sing.

" On the 28th October, 1779," observes General Heath, "Captain Hopkins of the dragoons took the captain of the Bellona transport, a Serjeant and corporal of the 64th British regiment and two seamen who had ventured too far on the shore near Sing Sing."a - '

There is still preserved in the village a small cannon, well known by the cognomen of "Old White," which is said to have been the identical piece fired at the Vulture sloop of war, as she lay off Teller's point, on the morning of September 22, 1780.

"No sooner (remarks the biographer of Arnold,) had the parties (Arnold and Andre) arrived at Smith's house than a cannonade was heard down the river. It was discovered to be against the Vulture, which although distant several miles was in full view and for some time seemed to be on fire.