his body. A few days afterwards he fell in action at Lincelles, in 1793. The Colonel Arent Schuyler De Peyster alluded to was remarkable as a soldier and diplomatist. The British government owed to him its vast Northwest territory. He wielded a vigorous pen, and had a poetical controversy with Burns through the Dumfries Journal. One of Burns's fugitive pieces, addressed to him in 1796, began "My honored Colonel, deep I feel This really "wonderful man" was buried with honors in Dumfries. His nephew, namesake, protégé, and intended heir, one of the first American circumnavigators, sailed twice round the world, doubling the Cape of Good Hope fifteen times, and discovering the De Peyster Islands. Frederick, the son of James De Peyster and Sarah Reade, was born in 1758, and married Helen Hake, the daughter of the claimant of the title of Lord Hake, and the grand-daughter of Robert Gilbert Livingston. His second wife was Ann, daughter of Gerard G. Beekman, and grand-daughter of Pierre Van Cortlandt, of Croton. He had one son and seven daughters, of whom the youngest was Catherine Matilda Van Cortlandt De Peyster, the lady of whom we make brief mention, as one of the few Americans who can look back upon the wonderful deeds of distinguished ancestors, and refer to a thick volume of genealogy. Miss De Peyster was carefully educated, and from childhood associated with the numerous connections of her family who have their residences on the Hudson and in New York. In 1838, she married Mr. Benjamin Hazard Field, a descendant of Sir John Field, the astronomer. He is the owner of the tract of land in Westchester County which has been kept in the family over two hundred and fifty years; but his residence has been chiefly in New York, where Mrs. Field has hospitably entertained numerous friends from time to time, and devoted herself to the care of her two children. In 1863, her "silver wedding" was celebrated by a very large party and the offering of splendid presents. A large mirror over the mantel was encircled by a plateau of green moss, suitable to the Christmas season, with the letters, "Silver Wedding," formed by rose-buds, through the center of the half circle. Rich bouquets and baskets of flowers were ranged on either side, and on each side the corresponding mirror in the hall; the reflection having a fine effect when the folding-doors were thrown open. Poetry, as well as flowers, adorned the festive occasion. The Bishop of Western New York, Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, gave to Mrs. Field some impromptu verses, referring to another gay party which they had mutually enjoyed when he was a youth, not "How long shall yet the merry ring Of friends that saw your gladsome start Unbroken last? What year shall bring To one, or all, the broken heart? "With Heaven still let the secret rest! At the great wedding of the Lamb." VIII. THE revocation of the edict of Nantes, in the days of Louis XIV., drove from their homes thousands of the best among the French population. Many of those who sought refuge in America settled in the Carolinas, where their industry created homes for their families. Among these were the Hugers, the Petigrus, the Desaussures, the Gourdins, and others eminent in society. In the Revolution all adhered to the cause of the patriots. Charleston, in South Carolina, was in advance of any other Southern city as the seat of social elegance and refined and generous hospitality. The private residents were so liberal in entertaining strangers that inn-keepers complained of their business suffering. The ladies wore the rich and tasteful costumes of the middle of the century; and their milliners and tailors kept up communication with Paris, as the preference was given to French fashions. From four o'clock in the afternoon business was given up, and the people thought only of amusement. There were two gaming houses, which were always full. The women were not so handsome as in Philadelphia, but were interesting and agreeable. At a public concert and ball given when Washington was in Charleston, they wore bandeaux of white ribbon inter |