In the
Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER.
A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,
Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye,
And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
For ever flushing round a summer sky.
Castle of Indolence.
N the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the
eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of
the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators the
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 Greens-
burgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name
of 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. Be that as it may, I do not vouch for the fact, but
merely advert to it for the sake of being precise and authentic. Not
far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley,
or rather lap of land, among high hills, which is one of the quietest
places in the whole world. A small brook glides through it, with
