The first money in use on Manhattan was Wampum, i.e., small beads made ofshells, sometimes wrought into belts and worn as ornaments. Wampum was of two kinds, white and black or purple color, the dark colored being twice as valuable as the other. Wampum consisted of cylindrical pieces of testaceous fishes, (hard-shell clams or oysters,) a quarter of an inch in length, and in diameter less than a pipe stem, drilled lengthwise so as to be strung upon a thread. A piece of white wampum was counted equal to a farthing. The Dutch and English traders carried into the interior their knives, combs, scissors, needles, awls, looking-glasses, hatchets, guns, blankets, etc., and sold them to the natives for seawant or wampum, and with this wampum returned and purchased their furs, corn, venison, etc., on the seaboard, thus artfully avoiding the great labor of transporting the furs and grain through the country. This circulating medium was used in New England also, and was finally regulated by civilized governments.

The Dutch kept five festivals, Kerstydt (Christmas), Nieuw jar (New Year), Paas (the Passover), Pinxter (i.e., Whitsuntide), and San Claas (i.e., Saint Nicholas, or Christkinkle day). CHRISTMAS was a great day for shooting-matches. Turkeys and other fowls were placed at a long distance from the marksman, every one paying for his shot and bearing away all he hit. This festival is still continued in New. York, the shooting having been superseded by Church services and festivals, in which the Christmas tree, containing a present for each expected to attend, forms the principal object of attraction. Presents are given profusely in all circles. Merchants are expected to give presents to all in their employ, and often expend thousands of dollars in carrying out this costly programme. The ingenious stories of Santa Claus are not repeated as much as formerly, though the children are as much interested in them as were those of the preceding generations.

PAAS was long very generally observed by the Dutch, and colored boiled eggs may still be found in many families in the city and country on the return of this festival. PINXTER is scarcely remembered. NEW YEAR was the great festival of the whole season. The tables were spread with cakes, cider, wines, indeed everything calculated to tempt and satisfy the appetite. Everybody received calls, and all went to see their friends. General Washington resided in New York during the first year of his Presidency, in the Franklin House, at the head of Cherry street. On the first day of January, 1790, lie was waited on by most of the principal gentlemen of the city. They were severally introduced to the President, who received them with marked cordiality, and after an agreeable interchange of thought they severally withdrew, greatly pleased with the appearance and manners of the President, to most of whom he was a personal stranger. In the evening the ladies came to call on Mrs. Washington. The evening was beautiful, and many came. All were cordially received, and after being seated, coffee, plain and plum cake were served, which was followed by familiar conversation, in which Mrs. Washington was conspicuous. The General, who had been greatly pleased with the calls of the gentlemen, was present during the evening. Not being familiar with their usages, he ventured to ask whether this matter was casual or customary, to which a lady replied that it was their annual custom, received from their Dutch forefathers, and which they had always commemorated. After a short pause, he observed, "The highly favored situation of New York, will, in process of years, attract emigrants, who will gradually change its customs and manners; but let whatever changes take place, never forget the cordial, cheerful observance of New Year''s day." Emigration has not changed this ancient custom. English, Irish, Scotch, Jews, and Gentiles, rich and poor, continue the practice; tables groan under a burden of rich viands and cakes, costly wines, lemonade, and rare fruits. Nearly every house is still open for callers, who begin their circuits in the morning, many of them continuing their travels until the small hours of the night. While there are some things pleasant and desirable in this ancient custom, it is also attended with so much excess, that the first day of January closes annually in New York upon more tipsy dandies than can be found in almost any other city in Christendom.

THANKSGIVING is now very generally observed in New York, services being held in most of the churches, and all business is suspended. This custom originated in New England, and has gradually spread its way through most of the country.

INDEPENDENCE DAY, originating with the publication of the Declaration in Philadelphia, is a great holiday in New York. The incessant discharge of fire-arms from early morn ''till evening, is very distressing to people of weak nerves. The brilliant fireworks during the evening of the 4th of July, in the parks and squares, are not excelled in the world.

The Dutch mansions were complete models of neatness and order. The floors had no carpets, and were almost worn out with repeated scourings of soap and white sand. Their parlors were choicely kept, and their tables contained no rich plate.

Dancing was a common recreation among the Dutch. The supper at a dance consisted of chocolate and bread.

All marriages among the ancient Dutch had to be published three weeks beforehand in the churches, otherwise a license must be purchased from the Governor. This latter was considered costly.

A good suit of clothes worn at church was invariably taken off and laid away on the return.

The Dutch were fond of posterity. A father sometimes gave his son a bundle of goose-quills, telling him to give one to each of his sons.

Gentlemen in good circumstances thought nothing of carrying a bag containing a hundred pounds of meal through the streets, and would have been ashamed of a porter.

It was the custom of the early Dutch merchants and speculators to make their fortunes out of their customers and nothing from their creditors. Alas! how the world changes!