KEMINISCENSES. 19 



which was anchored opposite the present Clifton boat house. A sea 

 captain on hoard proposed anchoring, as the tide was taking us out 

 to the Narrows. Then, riding quietly, all hands commenced shout- 

 ing and ringing bells, and very soon boats came from the shore, which 

 happened fortunately to be near, and took us by degrees and for a 

 modest fee, once more to land. Thus we had spent nearly the entire 

 day in wandering about the Bay. 



The Quarantine officials in those days were the great center of 

 political influence in the County — tall, straight, with a vigorous con- 

 stitution, which did him good service until he nearly saw a century 

 of existence, the chief customs officer was potent in his party, in 

 the church a prime factor, and in the choir a leader. Stern and dog- 

 matic in his opinions, he knew how to manage men. His son, a Sta- 

 ten Islander, has the same rugged physique, and is as pronounced in 

 his opinions. The tall old General, who also belonged to the same 

 coterie, marched into church every Sunday as if his regiment was at 

 his heels. He also had his distinct prejudices, and when a musical 

 instrument was introduced into the choir and began to be played 

 upon he indignantly arose from his pew, and strode out of church. 

 One of the most cheery of the number, once a colonel in the militia 

 and afterward a Congressman, was a universal favorite — a gentleman 

 of the old school, whose genial manners made him a universal favor- 

 ite, and the sunshine of whose presence has descended with renewed 

 grace to his son. The old mansion overlooking the sea and the dis- 

 tant Naversink, whose hospitable doors were ever open to a friend, 

 and whose hostess was as charming as her husband, did not close 

 any churlish gates when the son inherited. 



The health officers of that period did not have the great perquisites 

 of this time, and political chicanery did not keep them in term after 

 term. Notwithstanding, one of them became rich, married the 

 daughter of a distinguished man, left a comfortable estate to his de- 

 scendants, and gave his name to one of our principal avenues, one of 

 his sons attaining judicial honors. Another health officer left two 

 descendants, who successively became counsellors to our Supervisors. 



Thus, although the Quarantine was a huge blot on our beautiful 

 Island, many of the descendants of the officials have done honor to 

 our County. 



The autumn after the Mexican war was an eventful one in our 



