building of a manor-house on the quiet Pocantico, he found a small community of farmers, living in a quiet, frugal way, and carrying on the business of life with thrift and industry but in a spirit of great tranquillity. The broad waters of Tappan Zee could hardly have caught the reflection of the primitive farm-*houses hidden among the trees. These houses were unpretentious in dimension and appearance, but they had a substantial air. There was nothing provisional in the aspect of the scattered settlement; it struck tenacious roots into the soil from the very start.
"In the bosom of one of those spacious coves which
indent the eastern shore of the Hudson," writes Irving,
in his vein of quiet humor, "at that broad expansion
of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch
navigators Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently
shortened sail, and implored the protection of St. Nicholas
when they crossed, there lies a small market-town
or rural port, which by some is called Greensburgh, but
which is more generally and properly known as Tarry
Town. This name was given, we are told, in former
days, by the good housewives of the adjacent country,
from the inveterate propensity of their husbands to linger
about the village tavern on market days."
This derivation of the name of the delightful
town which Irving loved so well, has probably
