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[[underlined]] page 20. [[/underlined]]

[[underlined]] Sylvester Manor, Shelter Island, N. Y. [[/underlined]] (1753-1800)

On an "island sheltered by islands" lies Sylvester Manor between the two arms in which the eastern end of Long Island is divided. It was grated as a manor to Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester in 1666.

[[underlined]] 36. [[/underlined]] No record of the garden was kept during the early years of the 18th century. But when in 1735 the old Manor House was replaced by a much larger one, Brinley Sylvester secured cherry trees from the newly established nusery of William Prince at Flushing, Long Island, and planted an avenue as was the custom of that day. These trees grew to an enormous size and in the spring their burden of fragrant white blossoms was an exquisite sight. 

The beginning of the 19th century saw the avenue replaced by a circular lawn in front of the house and formal beds bordered with box were laid out. Now this box is the pride of the place, one of the most remarkable growths of dwarf box that can be seen in any garden of the northern states. Miss Cornelia Horsford, the present owner, preserves its beauty with skillful care and guards all the old flowers which spring up in the most unexpected places. Many poets, among them Longfellow and Lowell, have strolled through these gardens, peaceful and shelterd. 

"Still the pine-woods scent the noon, still the catbird sings his tune;
Still autumn sets the maple-forest blazing.

Still the grapevine through the dusk flings her soul-compelling must; 
Still the fire-flies in the corn make night amazing."