The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-02

Visit to Washington Irving
TRIP TO TARRYr0wN-ARRIvALA AT sUNNYsIDE-AP-
PEARANCs OF HIS REsIDESCE-NTERvIsw WITH
TBK AUTHOR RECOVERY FROM HIS LATE ACCIDENT,
ETC, ETC.
Among the many distinguished literary characters Of
this country whose writings extensively read
the Old World in the New, there ID whom have
30 long desired 10 and with the author
OF the "sketch Book" His fame, in fact is az much
European as II American, and nearly all the produc-
ons Of his pen have been translated several Ian
guages. On my arrival from Europe some Tins ago,
determined that among the first should do myself tn
honor to visit would be Washington Irving and took
advantage OF the earliest opportunity Of carrying this
resolution into effect. Wherever have been have
heard his name and his works spoken of terms Of the
highest praise and many OF his characters have now be
come as familiar household words. II was there
fore, with no ordinary feeling OF pleasure that found
myself at last enabled to crafty my long cherished de-
SIRE Taking the cars at the corner Of Hudson and
Chambers street, out of sight and sound OF
the great metropolis Of the Western world In reason.
able time arrived at larry town. where was informed
should gst out the object of my journey lived but
short distance Off Ihad msgivngs upon the matter
as had passed few miles below this station another
called by his name, and concluded that "Sunnysiden
hrs residence, must be somewhere in the vicinity.
may here remark that the first hotel stopped at was
the Irving, and few nights since inqurng for the
opera, found it the of Irving place-so
that it appears his counrymn determined to per-
petuate his name by every means iu their power.
followed the directions received owsver, and in
the course of few minutes I was vending my way
towards one of the few hotels in Tarrytown II was
late In the afternoon the msts OF evening were settling
down the waters of your msgnfcent river covering
them as with vei and warned by my watch that
If intended to call that Cay had but very little time
to spare. few minutes walk, had been told, would
bring me to Mr. vngs residence but found, reach
ing the hotel that 1t between two and three miles dis
tant, and about mile and half from the Irving station
at once engaged light wagon, declining, in my haste,
the invitation Of the landlord to take supper and set
out at once for my destination. The horse, was in
formed by the driver, of the best in the coun
try, and could travel his mile inside of three minutes
This was peculiarly gratifying intelligence to me then
as had but little time to spare although, in general
the comparative merits of horses is subject which
generally take but little interest.
My companion being of a communicative turn Of
mind, endeavored TO obtain some information in re.
gard to the great author for everything relating to him
bad particular interest for Mr.. Irving he said
had lived there long he could remember and that
was over twenty years. but beyond this fact his know
ledge appeared to be very limited he certain that
he visited Tarrytown about twice every day in light
carriage drawn by two horses, either of which he add
ed were inferior to his own and he was eq ualy sure
that he attended service in the Episcopal church. at
least once every Sunday Occasionally he visited three
or four of the Oldest residents of the place. the tradi
tonary historians of that locality who had lived there
during the Revolution and who the driver assured me-
were acquainted with the mysterious history of Sleepy
Hollow He was of the opinion that it from some
of these that Irving obtained the particulars of Rip Van
Wrinkles wonderful sleep, but OF this he not
tain And this with the fact that he had three daugh
ters, was all the knowledge the worthy driver possessed
in regard to one Of your most celebrated au,
thors. He had lived within three miles of his resi-
dence nearly al his life time Never the old adage
that ia prophet is honored in his country
more applicable than in this instance He had driven
crowds of visitors from New YORK. during the summer
months, to Sleepy Hollow which is about four miles
from Tarrytown for is understand place of great
resort in that season. and beyond the fare he received
he appeared to have interest in the place.
The country through which passed in our short
drive Is rich in natural bsaues and could not but ad
miIe the admirable location which Mr. Irving selected
for bis residence His house is few hundred yards
from the main road, and is reached by romaLc little
avenue, you pass through which the music of muir
murng breaks at intervals upon your ear Emer
ging from this avenue beautiful mansion in the gothic
STYLE presents itself to your view In front is neatly
trimmed swn and ut side of this is little pond
formed by the accumulated waters Of the stream Of which
have spoken. On sds the broad Hudson lies open
before you and the other the picturesque country
along Its western banks The dwelling hiss nothing Of
grandeur or magui6cence in its appearance, but
there is air Of ease and of quiet unas.
suming beauty about It, which tells you at once
that it's occupant Ia q man who little for
chow pretentous elegance. Here l was at last in
front Of the house where lived the great American
thor, and in another moment would him face to
face rang the bell, servant appeared, and inquired
If Mr. Irving was at home She replied that he was and
that would find him in the pAor few steps brought
me to the apartment, and there the whole family
party, consisting Of hmse, his three daughters and
old gentleman relative, believe, assembled round
the table. The interior bore the air of comfort
and ease which had noticed n the exterior Its whole
character was that Of repose and contentment. Tbs
author sitting, rather reclining In an easy char
lis legs extended another In front Of him. and maya
zine which he bad been reading when entered lay open
the table beside him. One OF his daughters
gagged at description OF needework and the other
two, think were employed at some manuscript
After explaining the object of my visit he requested
to be seated and entered at into conversation
inquired about his health auiing to the recent acci
dent Of his falling of his horse, and glad to learn
that his injuries slight, and that he had perfectly
recovered The war; Of course alluded to, but it
was dispatched with few remarks, and a topic of
more kindred nature taken up in its stead This
less than the long agtated subject of international
Upright law which he Of the opinion would
be established Our ministers in Engla1d took little
no interest in the subject and the government always
fcund matter Of more congenis character to engage
tner attention. The late Mr. Cooper and himself, he
ssid had some OF their works copyrighted In England
but general thing the publishers in either country
refused to do this knowing that they could repubsh
such books as they pleassd almost Immediately after
they issued. premium paid to some Of the
most popular authors for the privilege OF
publishing from advanced proof sheets, but the
instances Of this comparatively few.
Upon the general subject Of an International
copyright law, however, he did not express opinion,
but II should Judge from what he said Of the ndif
Of fha L ahnuld