CHAPTER III.
_Sights and Amusements_.
There is a very pleasant yacht club at New York, the festive assembly whereof is held at Hoboken.

Having received a hospitable invite, I gladly availed myself of it, and, crossing the Hudson, a short walk brought me and my chaperon to the club-house--no palatial edifice, but a rustic cottage, with one large room and a kitchen attached, and beautifully situated a few yards from the water's edge, on the woody bank of Hoboken, and on one of the most graceful bends of the river.

It commands a splendid view, while perfectly cozy in itself, and is, "par excellence," the place for a pic-nic.

The property belongs to Commodore Stevens, who is well known to English yachting gentlemen, not only from his having "taken the shine out of them" at Cowes, but also for his amiability and hospitality.
On my arrival, I found a host of bachelors, and wedded men _en garcon_, ready to greet me with a hearty welcome.

The room was very comfortable, but as unfurnished as those who like to smoke could desire; in fact, barring the table and its burden, the chairs and their occupiers, the remainder of the furniture consisted of models of all the yachts of the club.