Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-01
A Day at sunny-side.

FROM an artlcle III the iaSl NUMBER OF tne
NeW York QUARTERLY we extract an interesting
! account of a recent interview with Washington
Irving, in his rural retreat on the banks of the
Hudson, amid scenes which his pen has invested
with an imperishable charm:
In a sequesiered rural retreat, some 25 miles
from the din of city life, halfhid among thick
foliage through which geames the silvery ex-
panse OF the Hudson, stands a grotesquelook-
ing, antique edifice-halfD Dutch, halEElizabe-
than in style, and so snugly nestled amid
shrabbery and evergreen, as to elude the ken
OF the casual passerby. 1t is an enchanting
little nook, charmngly diversified with upland,
lawn, and dell, and SO rife with picturesque
beauty as completely to fascinate the eye and
hold it spellbound to the spot. This empara-
dised retreat, with its leafy recessess and
! antique structure, is the home of the great
American essayist and historian-W Washington
Irving. There is an air of singular quaintness
and rural elegance about the scene-every
thing that refined taste could DEVISE and dill
gent culture effect, is here indicated. 1t is
indeed in some sort an exponent of the mind
of its distinguished occupant. The eye is re-
called on every side, by an ever-varying success
sion of picturesque beauty-here may be seen
an emerald lawn, gracefully sloping to the
margin of flower beds, with their rich clusters
of variegated tints and blossoms-here again
masses of luxuriant trees and shrubbery, inter
sected by gravel walks winding their sinuous
course in all directions. The oak the ash, the
locust, the maple, the alanthus, and the poplar
mingle their leafy branches in massive groups,
casting deep shadows against the brilliant
patches of newly.mown grass in rich harmoni-
Gus contrast The scenery adjacent is also
scarcely less noteworthy; to the east stretch
the plains of Westchester with their farfamed
"Sleepy-hollow," and the site memorable for
its association with the tragic story of the gal
liant, though hapless Andre. This tract of land
was also the scene ofsome desperate encounters
during the revolutionary contest; so fierce we're
the ieuds, indeed between the contending
parties, that many of the owners OF the soil in
this neutral ground" fed their homes to
escape the torrent Of the lawless marauders
Not far distant, to the SOUTH on the margin of
the river, is the home of the great American
naturalist, Audubon, and on the opposite side
is the range of trap-rock, known as the Pali-
sades, with Fort Washington-the site of the
early movements in the Revolutionary struggle.
This gray columnar range, which forms great
natural rampant, extending distance of almost
twenty miles, rises perpendicularly from the
waters edge, to an altitude of from fifty to five
hundred feet, and presents bold and pictu-
rescue effect. Tappan Bay, or Tappan Zee, so
memorable in the chronicles Of the veritable
"Knickerbocker," spreads its broad expanse in
front of ofTarrytoEn, while to the northward may
be seen the majestic Highlands of West Point,
hemming in the waters, which here present the
appearance of a beautiful lake. All along the
banks are villages, villas, and cottages, seen
peering out amid the foliage, intersected with
meadows decked with grain, sloping TO the
margin of the water. "Here Stony Point still
stands, ragged promontory, whose rough and
guarded heights could not withstand the charge
of Mad Anthony and his devoted troops.
Here rode the 'Vuture,' as her decks received
the foot of that impersonation of valor, the
traitor Arnold. Here Forts Clinton and Mont
gomery nodded their morning salutations from
opposite sides of the stream, and Fort Consti-
tuition pointed her cannon from her island
battlements. And, more especially, here West
Point attracted the solicitude and care of Wash
ngton."
The Hudson River Railroad train brought us
to the station at Dearman, about quarter of
a mile from this "peerless retreat" Saunter
ing along the banks of the river, we soon came
TO the spring, already referred to, and then took
our way up little sequestered lane, overshad-
owed by trees on either side, until we reached
the brow of the hill, when we espied the en-
Il
gates, the fairy-like scene burst upon our view.
We became for some minutes trans6xed to the
spot, and falling into kind Of pleasant reverie,
stood silently gazing at the venerable and pic
turesque old pile, when we we're aroused from
our mute astonishment by the approach Of the
gentle and renowned Godfrey Crayon himself,
whose magic touch had transmitted rude ma
ture into such forms of rare beauty and made
a mass of uncouth, irregular buildings symmet-
rical aud picturesque, and above all thrown
around them the witchery of romance and
story. We were welcomed with the utmost
kindness.
We we're now introduced by our ilustrious
host into his study, neat, compact apartment
walled round with books, and decorated with a
few pictures and small bust Of Rogers, the
poet; an admirable specimen, in which Mr. l..
seemed to take great interest. In the centre
Of the room was the table, the writing desk,
and an open page or two Of manuscript Of his
forthcoming life Of Washington"
1t was our fortune to meet Mr. Irving in ex.
celeut health, and in the full enjoyment Of an
exuberant flow Of spirits. We never saw a
person of his age so buoyant and joyous, so
full Of animus. Everything around him, in.
deed, seemed adapted to superinduce serene
tranquility and happy contentment, and he
looks the very impersonation of these. Long
may he live to enjoy the autumn Of his life,
with its rich fruitage of fame. We perambu.
lated the beautiful grounds Of Sunny-Side
which extend over some six or eight acres, a
second time, and as we luxuriated over every
fresh variety Of ornate landscape, Mr.. Irving
pointed out some Of his iavorite walks, and in.
dicated to MS some Of his fine trees, III which
he evidently takes pride and pleasure. From
rising knoll on the banks Of the river, we
caught glimpse of the roof and turrets Of the
house, the rest of the edihce being embosomed
in foliage; the scene was singulary effective
and beautiful. As an evidence of the social
and amiable character Of Mr.. Irving, it may be
mentioned that no "boundary.line is marked
by hedge or fence, dividing his from his neigh,
bors' grounds--an' instance somewhat remark.
able, since such distinctions are rarely disre-
garded. The kitchen garden is perfect model
for neatness and taste, and its lavish provisions
showed that utility as well as ornament entered
I = IL 4 y. 4