Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1842-08-06

TON. IOWA. SATURDAY, AUGU
"a lIrIuuutu 4; - "a,
AsHiNoron lavNe.-Mr. Irving NJ
born IN New York in 1899, and + nov
therefore about sixty years Of age. He
received classical education, and was a
student ofColumbia College. In 1906, he
embarked for bordeaux, op tour through
France and Italy, ins,igated partly by the
love Of travel, natural to youth. and par.
- b. the hope c: restoring the yiso. Vi q
constitution somewhat impaired, It Is said,
by the intehseness OF previous literary
application. In BOZ he returned to New
York completely restored to health, after
having visited Rome. Florence, Naples,
Switzerland, Flanders, Holland, and Eng
land. He remained in this country unit:
1915, engaged in various literary works
which rapidly advanced his reputation,
and aiierw ards proceeded to London. He
has. however, since that period, OCCASION
ally resumed his travels, and report speaks
Of tie marked distinction with which, in
the city Of Dresden, IN 1899, he was trea
ted by the King and Queen Of Saxony and
their court. We are not surprised to
learn. that mind so naturally fertile
commenced at an early aye to pour out
It's treasures in some OF the public press
es, those channels through which though,
flows Tar and wide. number Of essays
written by him at the age Of seventeen,
appeared in the Morning Chronicle, uo-
der the title ofs..Letters ut Jonathan Old
STYLE" The reader will remember that
these have since been very unceremoni
ousIy published in pamphle, form, and
without the consent Of the author, by
some uncouri eous SPECTATOR on the mans
talent; they present, however. to the ad-
mirer OF Mr.. Irving's later productions,
many features prettily characteristic OF
his future peculiarities, and form an a
musing display Of those budding graces
whose full bloom beauties have attracted
such universal attention.
:, Salmagundi was commenced in 1907.
in conjunction with circle of highly gill
ted gentlemen, (amoDE the most conspic
uous, was the author Of the churchman's
Flreside'O some ot whom won their way
to literary eminence, and some to pol;,i-
cal or professional distinction, while many
have been swept away by death. This
little work received such une-
quivocal marks Of favor, that we may we'll
suppose the principal contributor survey
ed the prospect Of future literary car
Ger, with eyes not wholly undazzted
accordingly he appears to have braced
himself up to it., ii not with considerable
assiduity, at least with increased conf
dence In 1901, he published 'sKnicker-
bocker's History ofNew York; work
combining the forclble humor Of Cervan-
ties, Butler, and Fielding, with the elegant,
although playful grace, Of Addison and
Goldsmith. II is nearly supertfuous to
descant upon the spirit and character OF
this composition. Il is rich satire upon
certain events and characters, as we'll as
numerous Of our national pecu!iarities
No one ever possessed keener per-
cepton Of the ludicrous, us we'll as the
graceful and the tender, than our author;
and though in the veracious history I'M
der consideration, but few attempts are
made at the latter requisite, there are Ger
tain passages and pages Of unusual elo-
quence, aud struck off with curious Ia
cility, that effects the mind like the easy
elegance Of some natural Object "a flower
opening under June sun, or a vine lay
ing forth its tendrilssthrough which gleam
the mantling lunches Of the purple grapes
Nothing can be ut once more unpremedi.
tated aud inartifcial than the flowing and
me 'odious sen:eacesaof Mr.. Irving, when
warmed with his subject. The success
of the knickerbooker exceeded the antic
ipation, OF even the most sanguine among
those who Immediately perceived lis grea
excellence.
Ia the same year, 1910, the reputation
Of the writer was advanced by an unusu
ally fine biographical sketch Of Campbell
pre6xed to an edition Of that charming
poets works. This triAe was praisel
by the critics as specimen Of elegan
composition, scarcely surpassed in tn
language. To these were soon after
wards added brief narratives OF the mos
distinguished among our naval officer
during the late war. They were pub
lished id the Analectic Magazine, at tn
earnest solicitations ofthe proprietors, TO
which they we're written. The s'Skelcl
Book" and its sequel. '.Bracebridge Hall,
were the next and more important under
takings OF our author. Few literary pro
auctions have been received with NOR,
eager aud universal curiosity and adm
ration. hey have been translated int
y variety Of languages. Every body ha'
read them. aud they will always be con
soered All indispensable ornament to tn
library Of every lover Of eloquence, wi,
aud sentiment. Ia the year following tn
publication OF Bracebridge Hall, whic
appeared in 1898, he completed and sen
forth the ..rales OF a Traveller" Thes
seem nasty compositions, but althoug
less generally euIngised than their prede
cessors, are frequently enlivened b
strokes Of lurking humor and cleaning
OF elegant fancy; and resemble thos
loose sketches in the portfolio Of . fin
painter, which, however careless the oul
line or common place the subject, betray
nevertheless, evident touches Of the mas
tsr's hand.
With his more recent contributions /
the literature Of our country, the first Q
which is the invaluable Life Of Columbus