The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Wr - Washington Irving [260]
mr
See footnote on p. 267.
ms
True it is—and I am not ignorant of the fact—that in a certain apooryphal book of voyages, compiled by one Hakluyt, [Richard Hakluyt (1552?-1616), English geographer whose The Principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English Nation (1589) gave some of the first European accounts of the New World] is to be found a letter written to Francis the First, by one Giovanne, or John Verazzani, [Or Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528), Italian navigator who explored the New World for the French] on which some writers are inclined to found a belief that this delightful bay had been visited nearly a century previous to the voyage of the enterprising Hudson. Now this (albeit it has met with the countenance of certain very judicious and learned men) I hold in utter disbelief, [worthless] and that for various good and substantial reasons: First, Because on strict examination it will be found, that the description given by this Verazzani applies about as well to the bay of New York as it does to my nightcap. Secondly, Because that this John Verazzani, for whom I already begin to feel a most bitter enmity, is a native of Florence; and everybody knows the crafty wiles of these losel Florentines, by which they filched away the laurels from the brows of the immortal Colon (vulgarly called Columbus), and bestowed them on their officious townsman, Amerigo Vespucci; [Italian-Spanish explorer (1454-1512) of the New World] and I make no doubt they are equally ready to rob the illustrious Hudson of the credit of discovering this beautiful island, adorned by the city of New York, and placing it beside their usurped discovery of South America. And, thirdly, I award my decision in favor of the pretensions of Hendrick Hudson, inasmuch as his expedition sailed from Holland, being truly and absolutely a Dutch enterprise;—and though all the proofs in the world were introduced on the other side, I would set them at naught, as undeserving my attention. If these three reasons be not sufficient to satisfy every burgher of this ancient city, all I can say is, they are degenerate descendants from their venerable Dutch ancestors, and totally unworthy the trouble of convincing. Thus, therefore, the title of Hendrick Hudson to his renowned discovery is fully vindicated.
mt
John Josselyn (flourished 1638-1675) published two histories in 1674: An Account of Two Voyages to New England and Chronological Observations of America.
mu
This river is likewise laid down in Ogilvy’s map as Manhattan—Noordt—Montaigne and Mauritius river [Irving’s note]. See America, by John Ogilby (London, 1671).
mv
Richard Blome, author of The Present State of His Majesties Isles and Territories in America (London, 1687).
mw
Juet’s Journ. Purch. Pil. [Irving’s note]. See footnote on p. 391.
mx
See footnote on p. 353.
my
Figures of classical mythology: Jupiter, supreme ruler of the Roman gods; Neptune, Roman god of the sea; and the hero Hercules, who possessed remarkable strength and the courage to accomplish any task.
mz
The imagery and customs associated with St. Nicholas in Irving’s A History of New York contributed to the spread of the Santa Claus tradition in American culture.
na
Fraternal organization in New York City founded in 1786; it became the political machine of the Democratic Party in the early decades of the nineteenth century.
nb
Noah’s ark; see the Bible, Genesis 6-8.
nc
Razed cities of antiquity.
nd
Men by inaction degenerate into oysters.—Kaimes [Irving’s note]. Possibly a quote by Henry Home, Lord Kames, Scottish lawyer and philosopher best known for his Elements of Criticism (3 vols., 1762).
ne
Pavonia, in the ancient maps, is given to a tract of country extending from about Hoboken to Amboy [Irving’s note].
nf
The lyre of Orpheus, a celebrated musician of Greek myth, could charm all creatures.
ng
Greek philosopher and mathematician