CHAP. I.—Description of the World 35 CHAP. II.—Cosmogony, or Creation of the World; with a multitude of excellent theories, by which the creation of a world is shown to be no such difficult matter as common folk would imagine 46 CHAP. III.—How that famous navigator, Noah, was shamefully nicknamed; and how he committed an unpardonable oversight in not having four sons; with the great trouble of philosophers caused thereby, and the discovery of America 61 CHAP. IV.—Showing the great difficulty philosophers have had in peopling America; and how the Aborigines came to be begotten by accident—to the great relief and satisfaction of the Author 72 CHAP. V.—In which the Author puts a mighty question to the rout, by the assistance of the Man in the Moon—which not only delivers thousands of people from great embarrassment, but likewise concludes this introductory book 84 BOOK II. TREATING OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF NIEUW-NEDERLANDTS. CHAP. I.—In which are contained divers reasons why a man should not write in a hurry; also, of Master Hendrick Hudson, his discovery of a strange country,—and how he was magnificently rewarded by the munificence of their High Mightinesses 113 CHAP. II.—Containing an account of a mighty Ark which floated, under the protection of St. Nicholas, from Holland to Gibbet Island,—the descent of the strange animals therefrom,—a great victory, and a description of the ancient village of Communipaw 131 CHAP. III.—In which is set forth the true art of making a bargain—together with the miraculous escape of a great metropolis in a fog—and the biography of certain heroes of Communipaw 142 CHAP. IV.—How the heroes of Communipaw voyaged to Hell-gate, and how they were received there 156 CHAP. V.—How the heroes of Communipaw returned somewhat wiser than they went—and how the sage Oloffe dreamed a dream—and the dream that he dreamed 176 CHAP. VI.—Containing an attempt at etymology—and of the founding of the great city of New Amsterdam 184 CHAP. VII.—How the people of Pavonia migrated from Communipaw to the island of Manna-hata—and how Oloffe the Dreamer proved himself a great land-speculator 189 CHAP. VIII.—Of the founding and naming of the new city; of the City Arms; and of the direful feud between Ten Breeches and Tough Breeches 194 CHAP. IX.—How the city of New Amsterdam waxed great under the protection of St. Nicholas and the absence of laws and statutes—How Oloffe the Dreamer begun to dream of an extension