Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-07-11

TIE IRVING DINNER.-F'he dinner given tt
Washington Irving in New York on Wednesday
was got up and carried through in the proper
spirit-was an honor 10 he distinguished guest
credit to the county, and especially becoming
and worthy OF our SITTER city The bitterness OF
party politics, the maiignancy of personal feel
ings, the jealousies of private and conflicting
interests were altogether thrown by on the coca
sion, and jackson men, Clay men, Webster men,
and Writ men, seated themselves at the same
table, their bosoms swelling with national pride
and all eager to express the cordiallty OF their
greetings to one, the light of whose mind has diff
fused a radiance over the intellectual character
Of the nation. Gold Il recreant indeed must have
been the heart whose pulses did not warm, and
whose spirit did not glow at such festival.
| TIE official proceedings have reached us thro,
the N. Y Courier Of Saturday. They occupy
seven of the capaciols and cosely printed columns
! of that paper Its editor truly remarks 1.-THE
occasion was a proud one: Mr.. IRVING had Jeff his
native city seventeen years ago, with no advan-
Itages of fortune to seek for fame and competency
in foreign countries, where the means of patroni-
lzing literature and the arts were more abundant
than in our own country, and where the events of
Ia crowded continent anc the treasures OF well
Established literary Institutions, afford ample
means for the employment of his pen and the
development of his poweEs. The excellence of
his private character, and his reputation as man
of letters, gave him free access to the best society
abroad; but amidst the monarchy, and the 'pomp,
pride, and circumstance" surrounding rich
nobility, he did not forget his native hills, and
the pure pursuit of freedom which enriched the
soil of his native land. He returns with ample
fortune and still more ample fame, to pass the
remainder Of his days in usefulness among his
fellow citizens; and is received by them with
aiiectionate and enthusiastic warmth"
The company consisted of more than three
hundred Of the most Intelligent and respectable
citizens of New York. Several eloquent and
appropriate speeches we're made, for the most OF
which we shall endeavor to find place hereafter
That of the eminent guest so warm, heartfelt
eloquent and appropriate, we annex. N Nothing
could have been iner-nothng better adapted tC
call into play every generous pulse of patriotism
Alter Chancellor Kent had made brief ad
dress, he proposed as toasl:-
"Our lustrious Guest, thrice welcome to his
native land"
Mr.. Irving in rising was greatly agitated by
the warm cheers BY which he was hailed H
observed that he believed hat most of his hearers
We're sensible of his being wholly unused to pub
lie speaking, but he should be wanting in the
feelings of human nature if he was not rouseC
and excited by the present scene. After renewed
cheering be proceeded in, as nearly as can be
reelected, the following words 81 find myself
after long absence of seventeen years, surroun
ded by the friends of my youth--by those whom
in early days l was accustomed to look up to with
veneration-by others, who though personally
new to me, recognize as The sons of the patri
archs Of my native city. The manner in which