OLD BRITISH FORTS ON STATEN ISLAND. 07 



the most noticable now remaining are the two on Fort Hill, one on 

 Richmond Hill and one on Pavilion Hill back of Tonipkinsville. 



All but one of these have received some notice in a general way, 

 but before it is too late a description of their size and present ap- 

 pearance should be given, for it cannot be a very distant day when 

 those on the Eastern end of the Island will be levelled with the sur- 

 rounding countiy. 



The largest of the earth-works on Fort Hill is partly on the Herpich 

 and partly on the Low property, the division fence running diagonal- 

 ly across it. One side has been "improved" by destroying the 

 natural features, but the other side is quite thickly wooded with 

 cedars, locusts, sumachs, some old apple trees and a thick mat of 

 undergrowth. Some have thought that this fort was circular, and 

 well they might if viewed only from the wooded side. However, it is 

 square with the corners pointing North and South, East and West • 

 the sides measured along the top of the breast-work being about 

 eighty feet. The fence that runs across diagonally, as before stated, 

 is one hundred and twelve feet from the West to the East corner, 

 which would make the above measurements for the sides, made over 

 the bushes, quite correct. What was probably the entrance is on the 

 North-eastern side, which is also most approachable, and is the only- 

 spot where the ditch is filled in. In places this ditch is as much as 

 fifteen feet below the top of the enbankment, the sides of which are 

 very steep even to-day. 



The out-look from this fort is extensive, commanding a view of a 

 large portion of the North shore and the entire Bay, a wider view 

 than can be gained from any of the surrounding hills. 



One day when I went to take some measurements, a rabbit jumped 

 from behind the breast-work, it "held the fort" until it heard me 

 coming and then bounded down the path. It is no wonder that 

 Burroughs felt kindly toward the rabbit under his study floor and he 

 merely said pleasantly wdiat many of us think and feel. 



The other earth-work on Fort Hill is in a field on the corner of 

 what is now Bismarck and Second avenue, and part of the embank- 

 ment has been dug away in making the last named road. This one 

 is circular with a diameter of about seventy-five feet, and it is no more 

 to-day than a low ridge of earth with a corresponding shallow trench 

 within. It will be observed that we speak in this case of the trench 



