Toward the left loomed up the lofty Mount Taurus, vulgarly called Bull Hill, at whose base, in the shadow of a towering wall of rock, and in the

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midst of grand old trees, nestles Under Cliff, then the home of Morris, whose songs have delighted thousands in hoth hemispheres. On the extreme left arose old Cro' Nest ; and over its right shoulder lay the rugged range of Break Neck, dipping to the river sufBciently to reveal the beautiful country beyond, on the borders of Newburgh Bay. This is one of the most attractive points of view on the Hudson.

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Fort Putnam was erected by the Americans in 1778, for the purpose of defending Fort Clinton, on West Point below, and to more . thoroughly secure the river against the passage of hostile fleets. It was built under the direction of Colonel Rufus Putnam, and chiefly by the men of his Massachusett's regiment. It commanded the river above and below the Point, and was almost impregnable, owing to its position. In front, the

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mountain is quite steep for many yards, and then slopes gently to the plain ; while on its western side, a perpendicular wall of rock, fifty feet in height, would have been presented to the enemy. Eedoubts were also built upon other eminences in the vicinity. These 'being chiefly earth works, have been almost obliterated by the action of storms ; and Fort Putnam was speedily disappearing under the hands of industrious neighbours, who were carrying off the stone for building purposes, when