gallery, and the huge stove used in heating the building was placed upon a platform so high, that the sexton went upon it from the gallery to kindle the fire, implying a belief in those days that heated air descended, instead of ascending, as we are now taught by the philosophers. The pulpit was made of carved oak, octagonal in form, and in front of it was a bracket, on which the minister placed his hour-glass, when he commenced preaching. From the pulpit shone in succession those lights of the Eeformed Dutch Church in America, Dominies Schaats, Delius, the land speculator, Lydius, Vandriesscn, Yan Schie, Frelinghuysen, Wcsterlo,

OLD DUTCH CHURCH IN ALBAKi

and Johnson. And from it the Gospel is still preached in Albany. With its bracket, it occupies a place in the North Dutch Church, in that city.

The bell-rope of the old church hung down in the centre of the building, and upon that cord tradition has suspended many a tale of trouble for Mynheer Brower, one of its sextons, who lived in JSTorth Pearl Street. He went to the church every night at eight o'clock, pursuant to orders, to ring the " suppawn bell," This was the signal for the inhabitants to eat their " suppawn," or hasty-pudding, and prepare for bed. It was

THE HUDSON. 123

equivalent in its office to the old English curfew bell. On these occasions the -wicked boys would sometimes tease the old bell-ringer. They would slip stealthily into the church while he was there with his dim lantern, unlock the side door, hide in some dark corner, and when the old man was fairly seated at home, and had his pipe lighted for a last smoke, they would ring the bell furiously. Down to the old church the sexton would hasten, the boys would slip out at the side door before his arrival, and the old man would return home thoughtfully, musing upon the probability of invisible hands pulling at his bell-rope -- those