[14] The assumption that the Dutch youth required to be taught "convivial customs" by the "arrogant Anglo-American youngers" is scarcely supported by definite testimony. [15] The ancestral farm and home of the Wyckoffs is on the boundary line between Brooklyn and Newtown, beyond Metropolitan Avenue. [16] "History of Williamsburgh," in Stiles's _History of Kings County_. [17] Printed in the _Long Island Star_, February 14, 1811. [18] Furman's MS. [19] Fulton and Livingston had obtained from the Legislature the monopoly of steam navigation on all the waters of New York for thirty years from 1808. [20] _Historical Sketch of Fulton Ferry._ [21] _Corporation Manual_, 1870. [22] The Corporation of New York at one time even questioned the right of Brooklyn's inhabitants to cross the river, ferriage free, in their own boats. [23] See Appendix III. [24] Walt Whitman was born at West Hills, Long Island, in 1819. During the time of his residence in Brooklyn he did editorial writing for both the _Times_ and the _Eagle_. In the following letter to Mr. Charles M. Skinner, of Brooklyn, he describes his newspaper work in this city:-- 328 MICKLE STREET, CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, _January 19, '85_. DEAR SIR,--In hasty answer to your request asking me to specify over my own signature what year I worked as an editorial writer in the Brooklyn _Times_ office, I would say that if I remember right it was along in 1856, or just before. I recollect (doubtless I am now going to be egotistical about it) the question of the new Water Works (magnificently outlined by McAlpine, and duly carried out and improved by Kirkwood, first-class engineers both) was still pending, and the works, though well under way, continued to be strongly opposed by many. With the consent of the proprietor, I bent the whole weight of the paper steadily in favor of the McAlpine plan, as against a flimsy, cheap, and temporary series of works that would have long since broken down, and disgraced the city. This, with my course on another matter,--the securing to public use of Washington Park (old Fort Greene), stoutly championed by me some thirty-five years ago, against heavy odds, during an editorship of the Brooklyn _Eagle_,--are "feathers in my wings" that I would wish to preserve. I heard lately with genuine sorrow of the death of George C. Bennett. I remember him well as a good, generous, honorable man. I send best greetings to your staff, and, indeed, to all the Brooklyn journalists. WALT WHITMAN. Whitman's poem "Crossing the Williamsburgh Ferry" is familiar to readers of his _Leaves of Grass_. [25] _Brooklyn Compendium._ [26] The Young Men's Christian Association of Brooklyn was organized during the same year.