n rolls along the blue depths of ether, tinting with
silver lines the half dun, half fleecy clouds; they who are in the
parlors make 'considerable' noise; there is an individual at the
end of the portico discussing his quadruple julep, and another
devotedly sucking the end of a cane, as if it were full of
mother's milk; he hummeth also an air from _Il Pirata_, and
wonders, in the simplicity of his heart, 'why the devil that there
steam-boat from Albany doesn't begin to show its lights down on
the Hudson.' His companion of the glass, however, is intent on the
renewal thereof. Calling to him the chief 'help' of the place, he
says: 'Is that other antifogmatic ready?'

'No, Sir.'

'Well, now, person, what's the reason? What was my last
observation? Says I to you, says I, 'Make me a fourth of them
beverages;' and moreover, I added, 'Just you keep doing so; be
_constantly_ making them, till the order is countermanded.' Give
us another; go! vanish!--'disappear and appear!''

'The obsequious servant went; and returning with the desired
draught, observed, probably for the thousandth time: 'There!
that's what I call the true currency; them's the _ginooyne_
mint-drops; HA--_ha_--ha!'--these separate divisions of his
laughter coming out of his mouth at intervals of about half a
minute each.

* * * * *

'There is a bench near the verge of the Platform, where, when you
sit at evening, the hollow-sounding air comes up from the vast
vale below, like the restless murmurs of the ocean. Anchor
yourself here for a while, reader, with me. It being the evening
of the national anniversary, a few patriotic individuals are
extremely busy in piling up a huge pyramid of dried pine branches,
barrels covered with tar, and kegs of spirits, to a height of some
fifteen or twenty feet--perhaps higher. A bonfire is premeditated.
You shall see anon, how the flames will rise. The preparations are
completed; the fire is applied. Hear how it crackles and hisses!
Slowly but spitefully it mounts from limb to limb, and from one
combustible to another, until the whole welkin is a-blaze, and
shaking as with thunder! It is a beautiful sight. The gush of
unwonted radiance rolls in effulgent surges adown the vale. How
the owl hoots with surprise at the interrupting light! Bird of