noon
`` In that sense it may do , '' growled my uncle , who , though so much of a latitudinarian in his political opinions never failed to inculcate all useful and necessary maxims for private life ; `` the Patroon of Albany being one of the most respectable and affluent of all our gentry . I have no objections to Corny 's going to see that sight ; and , I hope , my dear , you will let both Pompey and Caesar be of the party . It wo n't hurt the fellows to see the manner in which the Patroon has his carriage kept and horses groomed . '' Pompey and Caesar were of the party , though the latter did not join us until Pompey had taken me all round the town , to see the principal sights ; it being understood that the Patroon had slept at Kingsbridge , and would not be likely to reach town until near noon . New York was certainly not the place , in 1751 , it is to-day ; nevertheless , it was a large and important town , even when I went to college , containing not less than twelve thousand souls , blacks included . The Town Hall is a magnificent structure , standing at the head of Broad Street ; and thither Pompey led me , even before my aunt had come down to breakfast . I could scarcely admire that fine edifice sufficiently ; which , for size , architecture and position , has scarcely now an equal in all the colonies .