Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-08
A LETTER FROM WASHINGTON IRVING

A LETTER FROM WASHINGTON IRVING
The following pleasant letter of reminisee nee was
published in the Undertook Sentinel, which paper
introduces it as follows:
"We have been favored with the perusaI of letter
recently written by Washington Irving to his old friend
Jesse Merwin, OF this iown--the veritable Ichabod
Crane, whose name has been mmoraIized in The Lee
gend OF the Sleep Hollow Having been kindly per-
United to transfer this commune alton 10 our columns
we cheeriully do so, unwilling that readers should
be deprived OF the qualification which have derived
from its perusal. We that we shall not incur the
dlspleasure otthe distinguished writer in thus bringing
him before the public, be considered as trespassne
upon the precincts OF unreserved private epis DIARY
tercouse. As for the old Admiral of the Lake. Of
epKcatory memory, the redoubtabie John Moore
we have no fears 10 entertain for the mention made
OF him, ne having long since shufled loft this mortal
COLL and hts sceptie having passed into other hands,
SUNNY SIDE, Feb. 10, 1851
GU must excuse me- my good friend Merwin for
suffering your letter to remain so long unanswered.
GU can have no idea how many letters have 10 an
swer beside tagging with my pen at my own literary
tasks SO that is impossible for TO avoid being be-
ing behind-hand in my cor espondence Your letter
was indeed most welcome-caling up as it did The re-
collection OF pleasant scenes and pleasant days passed
together in times long since at Judge Van Ness in
klnderhook. Your mention OF the death of good old
Dominic Van Ness, recalls the apostolic zeal with which
he took our little sinful community in hands, when he
put up tor day or two at the Judges; and the whole
some casigation he gave all one Sunday, beginning
with the two country bellies who came iuteling into
the schoolhouse during the sermon, decked their
city hnery, and ending with the Judge himself: in the
stronghold ofhis own mansion How soundly he gave
to us how he peeled off every rag of se-righteous-
ness with which tried cover ourselves and laid the
ROD on me oarebacks OF our consciences The good,
PLAIN poken, honest old man! How l honoured
him tor his simple, straightforward earnesness; his
homey sincerity He certainly handl, without nit
tens; but trust we are all the better for it. How dii
ieren he was from the brisk, dapper selfsuficent little
apostle who canered to the Judges door day tN
after; who SO full Of himself that he had thought
to besow on our religious deluquencies who did noth-
ing but boast of his public trials Of skill in argument
with rival preachers OF other denominations and how
ne had driven them off the field and crowed them
You must remember the busting, self confident little
man. with tin trumpet in the handle OF his riding whip,
with which presume he blew trumpet in Zon
DO you remember our fishing expedition in company
with Cong essman Van Allen to the little lake few
miles from Kmderhook and John Moore, the vagabord
middle OF his canoe in the centre OF the lake, with fish
ing roads stretched out every direction like the long
legs OF a spider! And do you remember piratical
prank when we made up for bad luck in fishing by
plunderng his ofts fish when we found il driitf
And do you remember how John Moore came splashng
along the marsh the opposite border of the lake,
roaring at and how finished our frolic bv driving
OFT and leaving the Congressman to John Moore'a
mercy tickling ourselves with the idea OF his being seal
ped at eastl
All well; a day. friend Merwin. these were the days
OF our youth and folly; trust we have grown wiser and
better since then; we certainly, have grown older. !
don't think We could rob John Moore's fishing ca
noe now. BY the way, that same John Moore, and
the anecdotes you told OF him, gave the idea Of
yagabond character, Dirck Schuyler; Ia my Kncker-
booker history Of New York, which l was then VIII
ting
You tell me the old schoolhouse is torn down and
new one built in its place. sorry for it. l should
have liked to see the old schoohouse more where
after my mornings literary task was over, used 10
come and wait for you occasionally until school was
dismissed and you used TO promise to keep back the
punishment OF little tough, broadboltomed Dutch
boy, until should come for my amusement, but never
kept your promise. don't think should look with
friendly eye on the new schoolhouse, however nice il
might be.
Since saw you in New York l have had severe at
tacks of bilious intermittent fever, which shook me ter
rbly; but they cleared out my system and have ever
since been in my usual excellent health, able
my horse and gaop about the country almost bli k
!y as when was youngser: Wishing you the en-
joymen OF the inestimable blessing, and begging
you to remember 10 your daughter, who penned your
letter. and to your son, whom out OF old kindness and
you have named after me- remain ever,
my old friend,
Yours, very truly and cordially,
WASHINGTON IRVING
JESSE MERwIN, Esq.