The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-12-20 00:00:00

DEATH OF WASHINGTON IRVING.

The intelligence of the death of one of the great
pioneers of American literature, whom labours shed a
glory over his native land, cannot fail to create a aen-
mtion throughout the length and breadth of the country.
!Washington Irving, whose iniinitable productions have
so lung delighted the world, and whose genial life has
SO long won love and admiration, is no more. He died
on Monday at his beautiful residence, "Sunny-aide," at
the venerable age of 76.
The outline of a literary life can be given in a few
words. Washington Irving was born on the 3rd of
April, 1110. in New York City. His early studies were
in view of the Lw, but a love of literature was even
then predominant. and seemed to be ingrafted in his
nature as its muter punkin ; and before he was 21 he
began his career as a writer. In 180'2 lie published the
well known History of New York, by Diedrich
Knickerbocker. .

Mr. Irving did not choose the profession of law, but
in 1810 went into mercantile business with his brother ;
but the house was not successful, and in 1817 it failed.
At the time of its failure Mr. Irving wee in Europe,
where his reputation was such as to gain for him the
friendship ui Walter Scott. Here he resolved to make
a pursuit of literature the object of his life, and as a
result the Sketch Book appeared in 1819. It was recog-
nised as the product of taste and genius; and even Eng-
lish criticism, until then always scornful of Anierican
hooks. paid homage to it' merits. Other well-known
sorks ("allowed, as in 1822, Bracebridge•ball ; in 1824,
the Tsies of a Traveller; in 18:k3, the Life of Columbus,
in 1829. the Conquest of Grenada; and in 1831, the
Alhambra. .

Meantime Mr. Irving, in 1829, 1830, and 1831, was
Secretary to the American Embassy, and during his
residence abroad he had spent much time in Spain and
in various site of Europe. In 1832 lie returned to his
native country, after an absence of 17 years; and his
return was a triumph—a° heartily was he welcomed
home by his fellow-countrymen.
Mr. Irving continued his literary labours, and the re-
sult of a visit made to the Indian tribes was, in 1835,
the elegant Tour on the Prairies. Then followed Abbots-
ford and Newstead Abbey, Legends of the Conyuest of
Spain, in 1836 Astoria, and in 1837 the Adventures of
Captain Bonneville. In 1839 lie engaged to supyly
the Knickerbocker Magazine with smoothly artitlP.
In 1842 Mr. Irving was honoured with the appoint-
ment of Minister to Spain, and at the end of his official
term in 1846 he returned to this country. In 1848 lie
superintend.; a revised edition of his works, in 1849
publ6hed Oliver Goldsmith, and in MO Maliomet and
ha Successors, and then Wolfert's Roost.
. . . . . .

Irving's heart for several years bad been fixed upon a
Life of Washington, and the completion of a graoeful
narrative, which will ever be a monument to his indus-
try and patriotism, proved to be the rounding offal a
truly glorious career.
Rarely is there a life of so much daily beauty as was
that of Washington Irving. While his literary reputa-
tion is as iimeriahable as the language, his worth as •
man won him the lasting regards of the wise sod the
good ; and genius and eloquence, wherever the sad in-
telligence of his disease shall be known, will unite to
piy just tributes to the Illellloll of • truly illustrious
character, who cawnianded the veneration of his coun-
trymen.