cannon were housed, and no gunners were near, yet the works appeared formidable. They were composed of gabions, covered with turf, soft and even as fine velvet. The battery commands one of the most pleasing views from the Point, comprising Constitution Island, Mount Taurus, and Break Neck on the right ; Cro' Nest and the Storm King on the left ; and ten miles of the river, with PoUopell's Island and the shores above Newburgh in the centre. A similar view is obtained from the piazza of Roe's Hotel, on the brow of the hill just above.

A little westward of the Siege Battery are the buildings of the

VIEW FROM THE SIEGE BATTERV.

Laboratory of the institution, in which are deposited some interesting relics of the old war for independence. One of the most attractive groups among these relics was composed of several links of the great ii'on chain, already mentioned, that spanned the river, enclosing a large brass mortar, taken from the British at Stoney Point, by Wayne, and two smaller ones, that were among the spoils of victory at Saratoga. There were a dozen links of the chain, and two huge clevises. The links were made of iron bars, 2J inches square. Their average length was a little over 2 feet, and their weight about 140 pounds each. The chain was stretched across

THE HUDSON.

the river at the narrowest place, just above Gee's Point (the extreme rocky end of West Point) and Constitution Island. It was laid across a boom of heavy logs, that floated near together. These were 1 6 feet long, and pointed at each end, so as to offer little resistance to the tidal currents. The chain was fastened to these logs by staples, and at each shore by huge blocks of wood and stone.