EXTRACTS FROM THE SHELVES OF OLD BOOKS CATHARINE V. R. SCHUYLER.-HER INTERESTS IN LIFE AND CLOSING DAYS. A GODCHILD OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER I THE DUTCH FAMILY OF SCHUYLER PERIOD 1650-1733 A GRAND wave of patriotism has swept over the country in the past two decades, and Societies have been formed to honor those whose sacrifices of life and fortune laid the foundation of its prosperity and greatness. There are a few old landmarks left of the Colonial period, when nations and communities were as distant from each other as they were at the beginning of the Christian Era. Within the broad territory of New York State are memorable spots rich in historic interest. Chancellor Kent in his biographical sketch of his close personal friend, MajorGeneral Philip Schuyler, writes: "The Dutch family of Schuyler stands conspicuous in our colonial annals. Colonel Peter Schuyler was mayor of Albany and commander of the Northern militia in 1690. He was distinguished for his probity and activity in all the various duties of civic and military life. No man understood better the relation of the Colony with the Five Nations of Indians, or had more decided influence with the confederacy. He had frequently chastised the Canadian French for their destructive incursions upon the frontier settlements; his zeal and energy were rewarded by a seat in the Provincial Council; and the House of Assembly gave their testimony to the British Court of his faithful services and good reputation. It was this same vigilant officer who gave intelligence to the inhabitants of Deerfield, on the Connecticut river, of the designs of the French and Indians upon them, not long before the destruction of that village in 1704. In 1720, as President of the Council, he became acting Governor of the Colony for a short time previous to the accession of Governor Burnet. In 1743, his son, Colonel Philip Schuyler, was an active and efficient member of Assembly for the city and county of Albany." (Continued in chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, and 17.) That exceedingly agreeable book "The American Lady" by Mrs. Grant1 of "Mrs. Grant was the daughter of Duncan McVickar, and was born in 1755. Her father came to this country in 1757, as an officer in the fifty-first regiment of the British army. In the following year, 1758, Mrs. McVickar and her daughter also arrived in New York; and |