It is a matter long since established by certain of our philosophers,—that is to say, having been often advanced, and never contradicted, it has grown to be pretty nigh equal to a settled fact,—that the Hudson was originally a lake dammed up by the mountains of the Highlands. In process of time, however, becoming very mighty and obstreperous, and the mountains waxing pursy, dropsical, and weak in the back, by reason of their extreme old age, it suddenly rose upon them, and after a violent struggle effected its escape. This is said to have come to pass in very remote time, probably before rivers had lost the art of running uphill. The foregoing is a theory in which I do not pretend to be skilled, notwithstanding that I do fully give it my belief. Footnote 28: A promontory in the Highlands. Footnote 29: Properly spelt _hoeck_ (_i. e._, a point of land). Footnote 30: This is a narrow strait in the Sound, at the distance of six miles above New York. It is dangerous to shipping, unless under the care of skilful pilots, by reason of numerous rocks, shelves, and whirlpools. These have received sundry appellations, such as the Gridiron, Frying-pan, Hog’s Back, Pot, etc., and are very violent and turbulent at certain times of tide. Certain mealy-mouthed men, of squeamish consciences, who are loth to give the Devil his due, have softened the above characteristic name into _Hurl-gate_, forsooth! Let those take care how they venture into the Gate, or they may be hurled into the Pot before they are aware of it. The name of this strait, as given by our author, is supported by the map in Vander Donck’s _History_, published in 1656,—by Ogilvie’s _History of America_, 1671,—as also by a journal still extant, written in the sixteenth century, and to be found in Hazard’s _State Papers_. And an old MS. written in French, speaking of various alterations in names about this city, observes, “_De Hell-gate_, trou d’Enfer ils ont fait _Hell-gate_, Porte d’Enfer.” Footnote 31: _Vide_, Hazard’s _Col. Stat. Pap._ Footnote 32: MSS. of the Rev. John Heckwelder, in the archives of the New York Historical Society. Footnote 33: MSS. of the Rev. John Heckwelder; New York Historical Society. Footnote 34: The following cases in point appear in Hazard’s _Collection of State Papers_.