New-York tribune., 1902-10-07

under Dutch and Early Enehsh RUE ~
octave pp. XIV ~. Charles Scrihuers Sons
New books about old NeU-York are NOT io-
frequant these days Most Of Them deal with
existing landmarks. the exploration OF the oh
scarer parts OF The CITY. and The identification
~ this or that historic survival, having ap-
pealed very strongly 10 more than one popular
writer with antiquarian l=arireS. Mr.. lanes
mas a sympathetic eye for such relics Of an
earlier time a. nav actually he traced on This
island and ne has reinforced his typographical
researches with 50 mach study Of documentary
evideloe that he Is able 20 present in hls book
some very vivid pictures Of the old city Re-
Productions OF old prints increase the interest
of his pages. lie is not IN sympathy win the
conventional conception Of the early NeW-Anl-
sterdarn type, derived largely from Washing
ton Irvings Rnickerbocker history. He sees
our Dutch forefathers as, on the whole, varied
lot, good and bad. learned and ignorant; men,
IN short. every much as may be- found upon the
island OF Manhattan in this year Of grace nine
teen hundred and two" About the only type
which he has been unable TO meet with IN MS
researches. ne SAYS lis the dunderheaded
Dutchman OF fictitious his .ory and Of historical
hction--the embodiment Of the popular idea OF
the Dutch phlegmatic temperament a marvel
lous con pound Of Captain Bunsby and the Fat
Boy in 'PickWick.'
Mr. Innes depicts q society in which certain
rude simplicity natur- lly prevailed. The settle
ment was prosperous, but seventeenth century
conditions were not favorable 20 repose The
impression we got from this book IS mat the
inhabitants OF Amsterdam had 10 work
hard TO gain d livelihood. and were not given 10
luxury. They were a hard race. and, indeed,
could be. on occasion, pretty nearly as cruel as
the savages VINO hovered around their borders.
There is a grim story Of massacre ordered by
wnlem Kieft Director General AZ New-Anl-
sterdau from 1855 10 l64s. tribe of Indians
fleeing from their enemies. the MohaWks, en-
camped al Pavonia, on the west side OF the
Hudson in the depth OF winter. They We're
destitute and starving. Some Of the citizens
took compassion upon their misery and gave
them food But Kieft saw a chance 10 facilitate
tAs expansion OF the COLONY" and issued this
brutal decree
We authorize NIaryn Andriessen, at his re-
quest, with his associates 10 attack party
Of savages skulking behind Corlaers HOOK OF
plantation. and act with them in such a man
ner that they shall deem proper ana the tIne
and opDortunitv will permit Sergeant Rodolf
Is commanded 10 take troop Of soldiers ana
lead them to Pavonia, Vhere 10 drive away ana
destroy the savages lying near Jan EYertsens $
hut 20 spare much as possible their wives
and children and take them prisoners Hans
Stein. who is well acquainted with the haunts
of the Indians Is TO so Win NM Inc eApIoIt
should be executed an night with the greatest
caution ana prudence. God bless the eNpedi-
tion,
The expedition was successful but IN the end
New-Amsteldam paid heavily for II. Farms
outside the town limits were devastated and
settlers were slain or carried into captivity.
There were but few Of the inhabitants OF New
Netherland" says Mr.. 'nnes, who cid not Sc
verely suffer either directly or indirectly. 10y
this foolhardy and cruel policy OF Kieft" The
author has other serious episodes TO deal with,
but ne has some that are cheerful as for eX-
ample, Claes de Ruyter's chicken expedition"
distinctly amusing affair which brings out
very clearly The rathe- feavy humor Of the
old Dutchmen. Mr. Innes deals at length, too
with Jacob Steendam. the Dutch poet who
came over here as a trader, engaged in farming.
and returning 10 Amsterdam. published
long poem, The Praise Of New-N -Netherland."
Mr. lnnes prints his portrait from an old en-
craving, and IN a photograph shows the site
of the house he occupied al wnat is now the
southeast corner Of Broad and Stone sts Steen-
dam was not the only man OF humane traits in
The old town. The church of course, exer-
cised deep influence, and II the author has
stories OF fighting and trouble generally 10 tell
ne also can draw upon data SLOWING the en-
hehtenment and Industry which characterized
the Dutch settlers Some Of his pages make 6r,,
reading, hut most OF them are very Interesting
Ahe bcok is packed with useful information
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