ode, printed copies of which had been liberally distributed at the expense of the Corporation during the day : THE CROTON ODE. Written at the request of the Corporation of the City of New York, by GEORGE P. MORRIS, and sung in front of the Park Fountain, by the Members of the New York Sacred Music Society, on the completion of the Croton Aqueduct. CELEBRATED OCTOBER XIV, MDCCCXLII. Gushing from this living fountain, Music pours a falling strain, As the Goddess of the Mountain Comes with all her sparkling train. From her grotto-springs advancing, Glittering in her feathery spray, Woodland fays beside her dancing, She pursues her winding way. Gently o'er the ripling water, In her coral-shallop bright, Glides the rock-king's dove-eyed daughter, Deck'd in robes of virgin white. Nymphs and Naiads, sweetly smiling, Urge her back with pearly hand, Merrily the sylph beguiling From the nooks of fairy land. Swimming on the snow-curled billow, See the river spirits fair, Lay their cheeks, as on a pillow, With the foam beads in their hair. Thus attended, hither wending, Floats the lovely Oread now, Eden's arch of promise bending Over her translucent brow. 300 CELEBRATION OP THE Hail the wanderer from a far-land! Bind her flowing tresses up! Crown her with a fadeless garland, And with crystal brim the cup. From her haunts of deep seclusion, Let Intemp'rance greet her too, And the heat of his delusion Sprinkle with this mountain-dew. Water leaps as if delighted, While her conquered foes retire! Pale Contagion flies affrighted With the baffled demon, Fire! Safety dwells in her dominions, Health and Beauty with her move, And entwine their circling pinions In a sisterhood of love. Water shouts a glad hosanna! Bubbles up the Earth to bless! Cheers it like the precious manna, In the barren Wilderness, Here we wondering gaze, assembled Like the grateful Hebrew band, When the hidden fountain trembled, And obeyed the Prophet's wand. Round the Aqueducts of story, As the mists of Lethe throng, Croton's waves, in all their glory, Troop in melody along. Ever sparkling, bright and single, Will this rock-ribbed stream appear, When Posterity shall mingle Like the gathered Waters here. Gilbert Hopkins, Esq., the Grand Marshal of the day, now announced that the ceremonies were at an end, and he proposed that the assemblage join him in nine hearty cheers for the City of New York and perpetuity to the Croton water. The cheers were given with a heartiness that made the welkin ring again. Not a single accident happened in the Park or its immediate vicinity, and great praise is due to the parties appointed to keep the ground, for the good dispositions they made. COLLATION IN CITY HALL. After the ceremonies of the day were closed, three large tables were spread in the City Hall, where the Mayor, the Governor, the members of the Corporation, officers and several CROTON AaUEDUCT. 301 hundred citizens partook of a cold collation, and Croton water and lemonade, but no wine or spirituous liquors. All was conducted with order and propriety, but with no ceremony ; no chairs were provided, but a sufficient number of knives and forks for each to help him- self. It was a well arranged republican repast — one of which the many could partake. Mayor Morris offered a toast, which he prefaced with some apppropriate remarks — re- turning in behalf of the citizens their thanks to the Executive of the State, and to the vast number of persons from various places who had come among us to celebrate a joyous event, which was made more joyous by their countenance and participation. He closed by offering a toast, which was drunk by all, accompanied by cheers — it was as follows : " THE EXECUTIVE OF THE STATE OP NEW YORK." When the applause consequent upon this toast had subsided, the Governor addressed the company as follows : Mr. Mayor and Fellow-Citizens : — Accept my thanks for this flattering, this generous welcome. To be thus remembered at a moment like this, amidst the heartfelt rejoicings not only of the thousands who dwell in this proud city, but of the multitudes who have poured in from the surrounding com- munities, demands and receives my warmest gratitude. You have well observed, sir, that these multitudes have joined in this glorious pa- geant, not as curious spectators, but rather as joint owners of the great work whose com- pletion we this day celebrate. It is indeed the triumph not only of the city but of the country at large. Its results reach far beyond the narrow confines of the metropolis. An achievement like this, which casts a mantle of protection over the commercial store-house of the continent, may indeed be a subject of felicitation for the whole American people.