IRISH WIT.--A soldier in an Irish corps observed to his comrade that a corporal was to be drummed out of the regiment. “By my faith,” said he, “I hope it’s the corporal that is so troublesome to our company.” “Pray, what’s his name?” enquired the soldier. “Why, Corporal _Punishment_, to be sure, Pat!” * * * * * MODE OF INVITATION IN CHINA.--An invitation to a party or feast in China is sent several days before, on a crimson colored ticket to the person expected, on which is written the time appointed, and the guest is entreated to bestow the “illumination of his presence.” [Illustration: _Uncas and Miantonimo._] Sketches of the Manners, Customs, &c., of the Indians of America. CHAPTER XXI. _Dutch settlement in New York.--Indian account of the matter.-- Uncas, chief of the Mohicans.--His war with the Narragansets.-- Philip.--His wars and death.--Present state of the Indians in New England._ The country around the mouth of the Hudson, and the island on which the great city of New York is situated, were first settled by the Dutch. They found the land occupied by a powerful tribe of Indians, descended from the Delawares, called the Mohicans, by whom they were received with the greatest kindness and respect. The natives give an amusing account of the first arrival of these strangers. “A great many years ago,” say they, “when men with a white skin had never been seen in this land, some Indians, who were out a fishing at a place where the sea widens, espied at a distance something remarkably large floating on the water, and such as they had never seen before. These Indians, immediately returning to the shore, apprized their countrymen of what they had observed, and pressed them to discover what it might be. They hurried out together, and saw with astonishment the phenomenon which now appeared to their sight, but could not agree upon what it was: some believed it to be an uncommonly large fish or animal, while others were of opinion that it must be a very big house, floating on the water. “Runners were sent off in every direction with the wonderful intelligence, and the people crowded to the shore to view the strange appearance. They concluded that the Manito, or Great Spirit, himself was coming to visit them, in this huge vessel. All the idols and temples were put in order, and a grand dance and feast was prepared to entertain him. While in this situation, fresh runners arrived, declaring it to be positively a large house, crowded with beings of quite a different color from that of the Indians, and clothed differently from them; that, in particular, one of them was dressed entirely in red, who must be the Manito himself.