THE BURGHERS 103

crude conditions into which they plunged. The
picturesque farmhouses of Long Island and the
crow-gables of New Amsterdam were not built in a
day. Savages must be subdued and land cleared
and planted before the evolution of the dwelling
could fairly begin. Primitive community life lin-
gered long even on Manhattan Island. As late as
1649 the farmers petitioned for a free pasturage
between their plantation of Schepmoes and the
fence of the Great Bowerie Number One. The
City Hall Park region bounded by Broadway, Nas-
sau, Ann, and Chambers Streets continued very
late to be recognized as village commons where
the cattle were pastured. The cowherd drove
the cows afield and home again at milking-time,
and it was his business to sound his horn at every
gate announcing the safe return of the cows.
Correspondingly in the morning the harsh sum-
mons called the cattle from every yard to join the
procession toward the meadows.

When Tienhoven, Stuyvesant's secretary, sent
out information for the benefit of 'those planning
to take up land in New Netherland, he suggested
that those who had not means to build at first
might shelter themselves by digging a pit six or
seven feet deep as large as needed, covering the