Southern planter., 1832-06-09

WASHINGTON IRVING.

Mr.. Irving was born in this city, in i7e2, and Is
now, therefore about fifty years ofage lie Je-
ceived classical education, and was q student Of
Columbia College. In 1905 he embarked for
Bordeaux, on a tour through France and Italy, IN
sgaled partly by the love oftavel natural TO youth,
and partly by tho hope Of restoring tho vigor Of
constitution somewhat impaired, Il Is said, by tho
inlenseness Of previous literary duplication. In
1907 he returned to New York, compleselyrestor-
cd to healtf after having Visited Rome, Florence,
Napenees, Switzerland, FLINDERS, Holland and
England
Heremained in this country until 1915, engaged
in various literary WORKS which rapidly advanced,
his reputation, and afterwards pfoceededio London,
his present residence. lie las however, since that
period, occasionally resumed his travels, and 70
port speaks Of the marked distinction with which,
IN the CITY Of Dresden, in 1929, he was tfealed by
the king and queen Of Saxony and their court.
We are not surprised TO lgarn thatu mind 80
naturally fertile commenced At an early age TO pour
out It's treasures in some Of the public presses,
those channels through which thought flows fpE and
wide. A number ofessays written by him At the
age Of seventeen, appeared IN the Morning Chron-
incle' under the title Of 'seiers Of Jopathan Old
Style The reader will remember that these have
since been very uncefemOniously republlohed IN a
pamphlet form, and without the consent Of the au-
thOr by some uncQuneous specuator on other mons
talents. They present, however, 10 the admireE Of
Mr.. lfvng's later productions, many features prct-
ty characteristic Of his future peculiariies, and
form of an amueng display ofthose budding graces
whose full blow beauties have attracted such u.
niversal attention.
,salmagundi was commenced in 1907, in con-
junction with circle Of highly gifted gentlemen,
among the most conspicuous was the author Of
the churchman's Fireslde") some Of whom have
since won their way TO Literary eminonce, and some
to political or professional distinction, while many
have been swept away by DEATH This amusing
little work received such unequyocal marks Of pop
uar favor, that we may well suppose that the prin.
cipal contributor surveyed the prospect OF future
literary career with eyes not wholly undazzled. Ac-
cordingly, he appears TO have braced hlmselfuP
TO II, II not with considerable assiduty, at least
with increased confidence. In 1910 he published
aKnickerbocker's History OF New-YoTk,n work,
combining the forcble humor Of Cervunies, Butler,
add Fielding, with the elegant, although payfcl
grace Of Addison and Goldsmith. Il IS nearlysu-
perfuous to descant upon the spirit and character
Of this composition. II is rich satire upon Ger.
tain events and characters, well as numerous q
our national pecuiarites. No one ever possessed Z
keener perception Of tho ludicrous, as we'll as The
4 graceful aud the tender than our author; and al
though, in the veracious history under considoTa
iion, but few attempts arc mads at the lAiier 70
quisiie, there are certain passages OF usual elo
quence, and struck OH with curious facility tha
effects the.mnd like The easy elegance of some nG
iural obiecl--a Hower opening under June sun
o. vine laying forth lis tondrills Through which
CLEAN the msntlIDg bunckes Of the purple grapes
nothing can be at once more unpremediiatet
and unariiicia than the flowing and melod'ous sen
fences Of Mr.. Irving, When warmed with bis sub
, iecf. The success ofKnickerbocker exceeded III
anticipaton ofcycn the most sanguine among thos'
who Immediately perceived It's great excellence
Insihe same year, 1910 Tho repetition Of the write
was advanced by an unusually fine biographical
sketch Of Campbell, preiixed 40 an edition OF tba
charming poets work. This tribe was pr9ised b
the critics as a specimen Of elegant composition
scarcely Surpassed in the language. To thes
were s0on afterwards addedhriei narratives Of III
, lives ofthe most distinguished among our naval o
iicors during the late war They were puolishe
in the Anaeciic Magazine, at the earnest socitauo
Of the proprietors Of which, il is said, the wer
written. The Sketch Book and lis sequel "Brac'
] bridge Hall, - were the next and more imporiar
!, undertakings Of our author Few literary grodu'
tioas have been received with more eager and un
!, versal curiosity and admiration. They have bee
e translated into a variety of languages. Every b.
y DIV has resd them, and they will alwaysbe consi'
2 cred an Indispensable ornamcat In the libra
e OF overy lover of elequence, wit, and sentimen
In the year following the publication Of Bncebridg
n Hal, which appeared in 1882, he completed al
l. sent forth the "Tales of Traveller" These see
10 hasty compositions; but although less general
N a. .lopzed than then predecessors are frequeni