Over the yawning cellars of the late mansion a broad wooden bridge was built, furnished with seats like a portico. "This," says Mrs. Grant, "with the high walls of the ancient house, which were a kind of screen before the new one, gave the whole the appearance of an ancient ruin." '•'- Aunt Schuyler removed to her house in Albany, and leased the homestead ; and, a few years later, the present house was built. In it a part of the old walls may be seen. It was owned when I visited it by Stephen E. Schuyler, Esq., a descendant of the mayor. His brother, John C. Schuyler, living upon the gentle hills near by, possessed a finely-executed portrait of that earliest chief magistrate of the city of Albany.

As we approach Albany from the Flats, and reach the boundaries of "the Colonie,"! the river shores are seen covered with huge piles of lumber, and lined with vessels of almost every kind. The ear catches the distant hum of a large town and the jangle of steamboat bells, while

* "Mfiiuiirs of an Americ-an Lady," b^ t So named because it was the seat of

lie aneier

f, of La:;gan.

colony of Eensselaerwyck.

THE HUDSON.

11!

the city itself, built upon hills and slopes, is more than half concealed by the lofty trees which surround the manor house of the Van Rensselaer family in the northern part of the city. This is one of the most attractive town residences in the State. The mansion, erected in 1765, and recently somewhat modified in external appearance, stands within a park of many acres, beautified by the hand of taste. It is adorned with tiowers and shrubbery, and its pleasant walks are shaded by grand old trees, some of which were, doubtless, planted or were forest saplings, two