It was a Dutch-built house, that had
probably been a country seat of some opulent burgher in the early
time of the settlement. It stood near a point of land called
Corlear's Hook,[1] which stretches out into the Sound, and against
which the tide, at its flux and reflux, sets with extraordinary
rapidity. The venerable and somewhat crazy mansion was
distinguished from afar by a grove of elms and sycamores that
seemed to wave a hospitable invitation, while a few weeping
willows, with their dank, drooping foliage, resembling falling
waters, gave an idea of coolness that rendered it an attractive
spot during the heats of summer.
[1] A point of land at the bend of the East River below Grand
Street, New York City.
Here, therefore, as I said, resorted many of the old inhabitants of
the Manhattoes, where, while some played at shuffleboard[1] and
quoits,[2] and ninepins, others smoked a deliberate pipe, and
talked over public affairs.
[1] A game played by pushing or shaking pieces of money or metal so
as to make them reach certain marks on a board.
[2] A game played by pitching a flattened, ring-shaped piece of
iron, called a quoit, at a fixed object.
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