benefit of the country. That the
burgomasters should look well to the public interest--not oppressing the
poor nor indulging the rich--not tasking their ingenuity to devise new
laws, but faithfully enforcing those which were already made--rather
bending their attention to prevent evil than to punish it; ever
recollecting that civil magistrates should consider themselves more as
guardians of public morals than ratcatchers, employed to entrap public
delinquents. Finally, he exhorted them, one and all, high and low, rich
and poor, to conduct themselves as well as they could, assuring them that
if they faithfully and conscientiously complied with this golden rule,
there was no danger but that they would all conduct themselves well
enough. This done, he gave them a paternal benediction, the sturdy Anthony
sounded a most loving farewell with his trumpet, the jolly crews put up a
shout of triumph, and the invincible armada swept off proudly down the
bay.

The good people of New Amsterdam crowded down to the Battery--that blest
resort, from whence so many a tender prayer has been wafted, so many a
fair hand waved, so many a tearful look been cast by love-sick damsel,
after the lessening barque, bearing her adventurous swain to distant
climes! Here the populace watched with straining eyes the gallant
squadron, as it slowly floated down the bay, and when the intervening land
at the Narrows shut it from their sight, gradually dispersed with silent
tongues and downcast countenances.

A heavy gloom hung over the late bustling city; the honest burghers smoked
their pipes in profound thoughtfulness, casting many a wistful look to the
weathercock on the church of St. Nicholas; and all the old women, having
no longer the presence of Peter Stuyvesant to hearten them, gathered their
children home, and barricaded the doors and windows every evening at sun
down.

In the meanwhile the armada of the sturdy Peter proceeded prosperously on
its voyage, and after encountering about as many storms, and waterspouts,
and whales, and other horrors and phenomena, as generally befall
adventurous landsmen in perilous voyages of the kind; and after undergoing
a severe scouring from that deplorable and unpitied malady, called
sea-sickness, the whole squadron arrived safely in the Delaware.

Without so much as dropping anchor, and giving his wearied ships time to
breathe, after laboring so long on the ocean, the intrepid Peter pursued
his course up th