68 OLD BRITISH FORTS ON STATEN ISLAND. 



within, while in describing the other earth-work we spoke of it as 

 without the parapet. In constructing the more pretentious earth- 

 works, or forts proper, the soil has been thrown in, and the parapet 

 made high and steep, while in less important situations occupying 

 hill tops, where perhaps only a few guns were mounted, the ground 

 was for the greater part thrown outward, leaving the trench on the 

 inner side. 



There is a curious sign on a fence surrounding a part of the old 

 fort grounds, that seems to have been worded by a friend of the in- 

 quisitive small boy, such a sign as would make his heart glad to see 

 on an orchard fence in green apple time. It gravely states that "All 

 persons are forbid not to trespass under penalty of the law." Maybe 

 it has had another artist since the brush was first applied like Sybil's 

 portrait in Mr. Anstey's story, and that the original did not so per- 

 emptorily demand that every passer-by should scale the fence. 



The earth-work on the most Northern portion of Pavilion Hill 

 commands a view of all the Bay, and the hill is naturally so steep 

 that its situation is peculiarly advantageous. It is constructed on 

 the same plan as the one last mentioned, only in this case the circuit 

 is not entire. The trench faces the water and is irregular, that por- 

 tion completed indicating a circle of about ninety feet in diameter. 

 It is also much nearer to the Bay than the other forts mentioned and 

 occupies about the same position on the South-East of the main 

 earth-work on Fort Hill as did the one to the North on the top of the 

 steep terrace where St. Mark's hotel now stands. One commanded 

 an extensive view of the Kill von Kull and the other of the Bay, as 

 before stated, while both were overlooked by the main fortification. 

 It was their good situation that deterred General Sterling of the 

 American army, from making an attack when he appeared before 

 Knyphausen's parapets in January 1 780. The snow was waist deep 

 and he contented himself with making camp fires of the "handsome 

 Hessian's" cordwood. 



Of all the earth works, the one on the hill to the North-west of 

 Richmond Village, occupies the most pleasing site to-day, as far as 

 the surrounding conditions are concerned The view is largely com- 

 posed of wooded hills and on one eicle only one or two houses meet 

 the eye. Richmond Hill on the South-west and west winding tor- 

 tuously through the meadows several hundred feet below, probably 



