d render the capture of New York by an enemy's fleet a
hazardous, if not impracticable, undertaking.

Passing through _The Narrows_, we enter the Inner Bay. New York,
Brooklyn and Jersey City are in full sight to the northward, with the
Hudson stretching away in the distance. The bay is crowded with shipping
of all kinds, from the fussy little tug-boat to the large, grim-looking
man-of-war. As we sail on, the scene becomes more animated. On the left
are the picturesque heights of Staten Island, dotted thickly with
country-seats, cottages, and pretty towns, and on the left the
heavily-wooded shores of Long Island abound with handsome villas.

Soon Staten Island is passed, and we see the white lighthouse standing
out in the water, which marks the entrance to the Kill Van Kull, or
Staten Island Sound; and, far to the westward, we can faintly discern the
shipping at Elizabethport. We are now fairly in the harbor of New York,
with the great city directly in front of us, Brooklyn on our right, and
Jersey City on our left. To the northward, the line of the Hudson melts
away in the distant blue sky, and to the right the East River is lost in
the shipping and houses of the two cities it separates. The scene is gay
and brilliant. The breeze is fresh and delightful; the sky as clear and
blue as that of Italy, and the bay as bright and beautiful as that of
Naples, and even more majestic. As far as the eye can reach on either
side of the Hudson extend the long lines of shipping, while the East
River is a perfect forest of masts. Here are steamboats and steamships,
sailing vessels, barges, and canal boats--every sort of craft known to
navigation. The harbor is gay with the flags of all nations. Dozens of
ferry boats are crossing and recrossing from New York to the opposite
shores. Ships are constantly entering and leaving port, and the whole
scene bears the impress of the energy and activity that have made New
York the metropolis of America.

At night the scene is indescribably beautiful. The myriad stars in the
sky above are reflected in the dark bosom of the harbor. The dim
outlines of the shores are made more distinct by the countless rows of
lights that line them, and the many colored lamps of the ferry-boats, as
they dart back and forth over the waters, give to the scene a sort of
gala appearance.

There are several islands in the harbor, which have been entirely given
up to the United States Government for mil