the ground claimed it, and
government were obliged to restore it. The government afterwards
acquired the ground on which West Point stands, as well as the adjoining
heights.

A very fine view one may have from Fort Putnam of the plains of West
Point and of the Hudson river. The view to the north is particularly
handsome, in which direction Newburgh, lying on the river, is seen in
the back ground.

A band of music, paid by the government, belongs exclusively to the
cadets, and is said to afford the best military music in the United
States.

The party generally regretted leaving this agreeable place, where they
had been highly gratified during their short stay. They took passage on
board the steamboat Constitution, bound to New-York, sixty miles
distant.

They were now again on their way to one of the most flourishing cities
in the United States, which attracts a great part of the commerce of the
American nation. They came into the vicinity about sunset, and at eight
o'clock in the evening they landed in New-York. Leaving their friends in
the city, Albert and his sister took passage in a stage coach next
morning, and journeyed in a short time as far as the village of ----,
and from thence proceeded on to the residence of their father.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Ah! now again all my sensations move to see a parent, and I sigh
once more to meet the kind caresses of a father--and weeks seem ages
in this separation.

The feelings of Alida were those of boundless joy to meet again her
parents, after an absence from them which appeared long to her.

She was grieved to find her father had suffered much from indisposition
during her absence. She endeavoured in vain, by every soothing
attention, to recall him again to health and happiness. His malady
increased daily, and he became a prey to infirmities, which at length
confined him to his room.

The gladsome sensations of Albert were changed soon to those of
melancholy, when he saw that his father was affected with a serious
illness, and dejection supplied the place of more happy and animated
feelings.

Alida, for several weeks, scarce left the apartment. One morning she
perceived that he had altered very materially for the worse. It was only
at intervals he could converse with her, and then his conversation was
calculated to give her fortitude and resignation, and prepare her mind
for an approaching melancholy event, which, whenever she received the
least hin