What a century and a half have wrought of change and growth may best be appreciated by reading the description he wrote when Domine Ritzemer dispensed unadulterated Calvinism to his flock, when the Dutch farmers " in the small village of Harlem, pleasanth^ situated" on the north-western part of New York Island, cultivated ]iroduce for the cit}^ markets, and the oyster beds within view of the Battery afforded one of the principal sources of food for the poorer people. At that date, almost midway in its history (if we reckon history by years), New York is described as a city of about two thousand five hundred buildings. It is a mile in length, and not above half that in breadth. Such is its figure, its centre of business and the situation of the houses, that the mean cartage from one point to another does not exceed above

Two Cities on One Site 25

one quarter oj a mile, than leliicli Jiothiiig can be more advaiitai^eons to a tradiiii:, city. It is thought to Ije as healthy a spot as any in the world. The east and south parts, in general, are low, but the rest is situated on a dry, elevated soil. The streets are irregular, but being paved with round ])ebbles, are clean and lined with well built brick houses, many of which are covered with tiled roofs. Upon the southwest point stands the fort, which is a square with four bastions. Within the walls is the house in which our governors usually reside; and opposite to it brick barracks, built, formerly, for the independent companies. The Governor's house is in height three stories and fronts to the west; having from the second story a fine prospect of the bay and the Jersey shore. There was formerly a chapel, but this was burned down in the negro conspiracy of the spring of 1741- According to Governor Burnet's observations this fort stands in the latitude of 40° 43' N.