Chapter III: Book III

IN WHICH IS RECORDED THE GOLDEN REIGN OF WOUTER VAN TWILLER.

CHAP. I.—Of the renowned Wouter Van Twiller, his unparalleled
virtues—as likewise his unutterable wisdom in the law-case of
Wandle Schoonhoven and Barent Bleecker—and the great admiration
of the public thereat 217
CHAP. II.—Containing some account of the grand council of New
Amsterdam, as also divers especial good philosophical reasons
why an alderman should be fat—with other particulars touching
the state of the province 232
CHAP. III.—How the town of New Amsterdam arose out of mud, and
came to be marvellously polished and polite—together with a
picture of the manners of our great-great-grandfathers 248
CHAP. IV.—Containing further particulars of the Golden Age, and
what constituted a fine lady and gentleman in the days of Walter
the Doubter 261
CHAP. V.—Of the founding of Fort Aurania—Of the mysteries of the
Hudson—Of the arrival of the Patroon Killian Van Rensellaer; his
lordly descent upon the earth, and his introduction of club-law 271
CHAP. VI.—In which the reader is beguiled into a delectable walk,
which ends very differently from what it commenced 277
CHAP. VII.—Faithfully describing the ingenious people of
Connecticut and thereabouts—showing, moreover, the true meaning
of liberty of conscience, and a curious device, among these
sturdy barbarians, to keep up a harmony of intercourse, and
promote population 286
CHAP. VIII.—How these singular barbarians turned out to be
notorious squatters—How they built air-castles, and attempted to
initiate the Nederlanders into the mystery of bundling 295
CHAP. IX.—How the Fort Goed Hoop was fearfully beleaguered—How the
renowned Wouter fell into a profound doubt, and how he finally
evaporated 304