Historical Sketches 17 



in the Tudor style, one of the best villas in the country, 

 with a gate-lodge in the same mode, and laid out the 

 grounds with remarkable skill and good taste. There are 

 about 1200 acres in this estate, and pleasure grounds, forcing 

 houses, and gardens, are now flourishing where all was so 

 lately in the rudest state of nature; while, by the judicious 

 preservation of natural wood, the effect of a long cultivated 

 demesne has been given to the whole. 



The Manor House of the " Patroon " (as the eldest son of 

 the Van Rensselaer family is called) is in the northern 

 suburbs of the city of Albany. The mansion, greatly en- 

 larged and improved a few years since, from the designs 

 of Upjohn, is one of the largest and most admirable in all 

 respects, to be found in the country, and the pleasure- 

 grounds in the rear of the house are tasteful and beautiful. 



Beaverwyck, a little north of Albany, on the opposite 

 bank of the river, was formerly the seat of Wm. P. Van 

 Rensselaer, Esq. The whole estate is ten or twelve miles 

 square, including the village of Bath on the river shore, 

 and a large farming district. The home residence em- 

 braces several hundred acres, with a large level lawn, bor- 

 dered by highly varied surface of hill and dale. The man- 

 sion, one of the first class, is newly erected from the plans 

 of Mr. Diaper, and in its interior - - its hall with mosaic 

 floor of polished woods, its marble staircase, frescoed apart- 

 ments, and spacious adjoining conservatory- -is perhaps 

 the most splendid in the Union. The grounds are yet 

 newly laid out, but with much judgment; and six or seven 

 miles of winding gravelled roads and walks have been 

 formed - - their boundaries now leading over level meadows, 

 and now winding through woody dells. The drives thus 

 afforded, are almost unrivalled in extent and variety, and 

 give the stranger or guest, an opportunity of seeing the near 

 and distant views to the best advantage. 



At Tarrytown, is the cottage residence of Washington 

 Irving, which is, in location and accessories, almost the 

 beau ideal of a cottage ornee. The charming manner in 

 which the wild foot-paths, in the neighborhood of this cot- 



