here essayed their nascent powers, so here did the youthful Provincial chivalry first learn to emulate the strict discipline and trained courage of their veteran companions in arms, the gallant soldiers of England. And years after, when marching to the national air they here first appropriated as their own, they met their former allies on the battle field, they showed that the lessons thus commenced had not been learned in vain. In truth, the history of Colonial Albany is filled with brilliant scenes and soul-stirring memories. Nor is the Albany of the Revolution deficient in similar, and, for us, prouder pictures. When to Albany the army of Burgoyne was led captive, from the glorious field of Saratoga, the first great success of the war was achieved; and the happy event of the struggle, though distant, became assured. The writer regrets that he has only been able to indicate scenes, that would afford the fullest scope to the life-giving pencil of the historian. And, warned by his limited space, he must turn to a homelier theme-yet one that is not wanting in deep interest to many of his readers.

Earlier travelers have presented the inhabitants of Albany in a light far from flattering; and Irving's gracefully humorous pen has scattered far and wide, ridiculous pictures of the race that long constituted the great bulk of the population. The Dutch require no defense at our hands. If Irving's amusing sallies have somewhat lowered the popular appreciation of the Dutch character, another American of English blood has more than atoned for the wrong. The brightest chaplet woven in honor of Holland and her people, has, in our day, been laid upon the altar of Fame by the New Englander, MOTLEY.

As regards the faults of the early inhabitants of Albany, we may well pause, when we witness the vices that, even in this enlightened day, seem inseparable from the prosecution of the Indian trade; and, learning humility from the sight, we can not fail to extend the broad mantle of charity over the misdeeds of the rude burgers of another age. But, if need be, there are other arguments to be urged in extenuation of the unpolished manners and other short-comings of our predecessors. Lying on the very verge of civilization, for a

long time in her history, trade and self-defence were the paramount objects of solicitude with the people of Albany. It could hardly be expected that such an outpost would become eminent for luxury and refinement, while surrounded by innumerable perils. The town that was "really the frontier of all North America" (p. 107), could not neglect the trade to which it owed its origin, or the vigilance necessary to its existence, in order to indulge in the sophisticated pursuits of a community surrounded by all the blandishments of peace, and ease, and plenty. And finally, when the danger, to which they had become roughly inured, was removed, it could not reasonably be anticipated that these sturdy men would, at once, become shining examples of refinement that wealth in beaver skins would at once give place to wealth in letters.

But years have passed since those "troublous times;" and it is believed that during the interval the progress of Albany, in every thing that elevates and adorns civilized life, has been commensurate with that of her neighbors. Literature, science, and the arts have many votaries in our midst; and recent travelers, as well as the assembled scientific magnates of the Union, have not failed to bear testimony to the elegant, refined, and generous hospitality, of the citizens of Albany.

It gives the editor much pleasure that he is able to close this sketch by an extract from the Illustrated London News of Jan. 15, 1859, fully sustaining the opinion above expressed. The extract is from the "Transatlantic Sketches," addressed to the News by its editor, the distinguished poet and cultivated gentleman, Dr. CHARLES MACKAY, during a recent tour through the United States.

"Travelling thus on the left bank of the river for upwards of one hundred miles, I arrived at Albany, and betook myself to Congress Hall, in the upper part of the city. This hotel was recommended to me as an establishment much frequented by members of the two houses of the legislature, who here in the capital of the "Empire State," undertake the local government of a commonwealth almost as large as England, and nearly doubly as populous

as Scotland. I had no reason to repent my choice, and during a residence of ten days was enabled to see the Senators in déshabillé, and to learn something of the mode and the agencies by which public and private bills are brought into and carried through parliament in an ultra democracy. * * * * * *Albanybeautifully situated on ground rising steeply from the banks of the Hudson - contains about fifty thousand inhabitants, and is one of the most attractive, cleanly, well-ordered, and elegant cities of America. Though overshadowed by the commercial greatness of New York, which in this respect it can never hope to rival, it is, next to Washington, the greatest focus of political life within the limits of the confederacy. Between the commercial and the political capital of this great state (which it has recently been proposed to call Ontario instead of New York), there is a great contrast. New York city is busy, unscrupulous, energetic, ill-governed, full of rowdyism, and the most violent manifestations of mob-law and mob-caprice; but Albany is staid, decent, and orderly. The tone of society is quiet and aristocratic; and the whole appearance of the place gives the traveller an idea of wealth and refinement. Further acquaintance only tends to confirm the impression. State street - at the top of which, in the Park, a beautiful open space, adorned with noble elms and maples, stand the Capitol and other principal public buildings-rises steeply from the water's edge to the crown of the hill. It is a broad and handsome thoroughfare, and at various points commands a picturesque view over the Hudson to the lofty green hills beyond. Albany is a place of considerable trade and manufacture. It produces very excellent cabinet-work of all kinds, and is particularly celebrated for its stoves, grates, and ornamental iron-work. It has two, if not three daily newspapers, and a flourishing literary and scientific institution. The Roman Catholic Cathedral is internally one of the largest and most magnificent ecclesiastical edifices in America. Here high mass is sometimes performed with a splendor and completeness, orchestral and vocal, not to be excelled even in Paris or Vienna, and to which London, as far as I know, can make no pretentions. Albany is the proposed site of

what promises to be the noblest observatory in America, to the foundation of which the public spirit of a private citizen (if the term be applicable to a lady) has contributed the sum of 80,000 dollars."

The editor will not apologize for the length of this extract, for he feels that it can not but prove both interesting and agreeable to his readers. He must, however, beg that they will bear him company a little longer, while he turns aside to speak of the work completed with the present volume.

He has been told by friends, who sympathize with the feelings that prompted the undertaking, that it is due, as well to his readers as to himself, that he should give a sketch of the origin and progress of the work, and of the difficulties that have made it incumbent on him to bring it to a close, while so rich a store of materials for the history of Albany yet remains unpublished to the world. Guided by the judgment of these—perhaps too partial — friends, he will conclude this notice by giving a concise bibliographical account of the Annals of Albany. The very nature of the subject requiring that he should speak of himself - of his trials, troubles and disappointments he trusts that his readers, with a generous indulgence, will pardon the seeming egotism with which he confides to them the story of his personal connection with the work.

This work was begun as an annual almanac in the year 1849. It was soon evident that its more costly bulk, and the limited circle of patrons to whom its purely local character commended it, would forbid the hope of its competing with the various general almanacs, scattered cheaply over the land. But the editor still believed that a work of more permanent character, addressed to the restrospective curiosity the historic instincts of his fellow-citizens, would meet with, at least, an adequate support. New material was therefore added to that already collected, and, in 1850, the first volume of the Annals appeared. The anticipations of the editor and publisher were not realized; but being somewhat deeply imbued with the antiquarian spirit, and still hopeful that a responsive feeling might be awakened by his very efforts, he continued his labors; and

volume after volume was produced. At length it became but too evident that such hopes were illusory and vain. It will surprise many of his readers to learn that the whole body of his patrons, at home and abroad, numbered but little more than one hundred. And a very limited acquaintance with the book trade will be sufficient to assure them that one hundred dollars will fall far short of the simple cost of the engravings, paper, printing, and binding—even of a book so little pretentious to typographical luxuriousness as is the one they are now perusing. His not too plethoric purse admonished the editor that he must bring his labors to a close. And it only became a question with him how to round off the series in a manner that would not disappoint the kind friends who, at the outset, bidding him God speed, had ever since welcomed his annual offerings. He would not wish to leave a fragmentary and altogether incom plete work upon their hands: and he has continued the series until now that he can close it without dishonor. This tenth volume completes the Notes from the Newspapers, to the year 1847, when the annual chronicle of the work commenced. And having thus presented a continuous chronology of the principal events, as found in the newspapers, for the past eighty-eight years (from 1771 to 1859), the editor trusts that he may be permitted to retire from his labors, with the friendly sympathy and kind adieus of those who have accompanied him on his way.

He regrets that the transcripts from the City Records must remain incomplete, terminating as they do, with the year 1753. They were begun in the second volume with the year 1686, when the charter was received from Gov. Dongan, and have been published nearly entire, embracing a period of almost seventy years. These records are preserved in the Chamberlain's office, but are not wholly safe from the danger of loss, and having no indexes, they are as a sealed book to those who wish to consult them. The portions yet unpublished comprise the periods of the old French war, and of the Revolution; and they abound with valuable and most interesting historical matter. Let us hope that some future board of the Common Council will undertake the task-which proved