The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-03
ORIGINAL ANECDoTE OF WASHINGTON

IRVING.
-, Inc SPrH o. the Times for the present week has
the following anecdote, which, it says may be relied
upon as authentic, and which illustrates in a re.
mafkable manner, Washington Irvings love of So
ciabiity, and his modesty with regard to his lite
rary reputation:
friend OF ours who occupied lordlv mansion
in Twenty-ninth street, near Fifth ayenue was
whilom contractor for building that section Of the
| Croton Aqueductwhich passed through Tarrytown.
Soon after he had erected rude building for the
reception OF the tools and of the workmen and to
afford himself a temporary shelter while engaged
IN his responsible duties, old gentleman plainIv
dressed and of exceeding unpretending manners.
presented himself one day and commenced con-
Versatlon with our friend. great many questions
were asked, naturally suggested by the then new en-
terprise of supplying New York CITY with water.
and after visit of hour or So the old gentle
man quietly departed. A few DAYS afterwards ac-
companied by two ladies, he again visited the
headquarters of friend, and entered into a
more detailed conversation, seemingly intent unon
finding out all that to be learned about the pro
posed aqueduct These visits finally became a
regular affair, and continued twice weeL
for period of some six months. The conversa.
tions were always confined to local subjects and
not remark escaped from the lips of the visitor
which was calculated to inspire curiosity or sug-
gest that he was other than some plain gOod-naur-
| ed person, with plenty of time on his hands who
/ desired to while away an hour or two in common
place chit-chat. In course of time our friend fin
ished his abors at larry town, but occasionally met
/
| connect our suburbs with the heart of the city.
| One day, while travelling along the Hudson, and
busily engaged in conversation with the old gentle
man, the steamer suddenly commenced pealing its
bell, and made such a racket that our friend left
| his place, and hunting up the captain, asked him
"what all that noise was abOut?''
"Why," replied that unctionary, eve are oppo-
! site Sunnysde, and having Washington Irving on
board, by this alarm his servant will be able to
meet him at his landing with a carriage
Our friend, in great enthusiasm. exclaimed
washington Irving he on board why, point him
out TO me; there is no man living whom | would
| more like to see"
At this demonstration the captain looked quite
surprised, and remarked, "Why, sir, you Just left
! Washington lrvng's company and from the mum.
Der OF times have you in familiar converse
ton with him on this boat, supposed you were one
OF his most intimate friends"
The astonishment of our friend NAV be family
imagined when he discovered that for more than Z
half year, twice week, he had a long conversation
| with Washington Irving, a person to whom
mere than any man living, he desired persona
introduction.
Mr.. IRvING's OBJECTION TO PUBLIC DINNERS.
From the Philadelphia North American Nop 3Ol
The last time We had the pleasure of seeing Mr.
| Irving was at the Publishers Festival in New
York, in the autumn of 1855 All who were pre-
sent on that occasion will remember how fresh wa
his appearance, and how genial his manner ant
with what hearty welcome he greeted the friends
old and young, who thronged around him. Anon,
| the former was our townsman, Mr.. Moses Thomas
and in reference to the interview between thes
gentlemen, the American Publishers Circular al
terwards said:
Gone of the interesting incidents at the recen
festival was the meeting of Washington Irving wit
his old friend, Moses Thomas, the veteran an
much respected eX-publisher of Philadelphia Mr
Irving, in his younger days. had been intimate wit
Mr.. Thomas, and cherished for him the highest re
gard; but it so happened that they had not me
for more than quarter of a century,
month or two later Mr.. Irving addressed tn
following letter to Mr.. Thomas which we ar
tempted to reprint, as at once showing his di:
inclination to public display, and his cordial recoe
milton to the claims of private friendship:
SUSNysDE, Dec. IA, 1855
"My Dear Thomas | thank you heartily fo
your kind and hospitabe invitation to your house
which should be glad to accept did propose a
tending the Cooley complimentary dinner; but th
annoyance | suffer at dinners of this kind in ha,
ing to attempt speeches, or bear compliments in g
lence, has made adjure them altogether tn
publishers festival, at which had the great nle,
sure of meeting you, was an exception to nv rul,
but only made on condition that would not
molested by extra civilities.
81 regret that on that occasion we were sen,
rated from each other, and could not sit togethe
, and talk of old times; however, | trust we sba
have a future opportunity of so doing | wisI
when you visit New York. YOU would take run u
, to Sunnyside; the cars set you down within te
minutes walk of my house. where nv 'womel
kind will receive you (fqmatiuely speaking) wit
: | open arms; and my dogs will not dare to bark ;
, you Yours, ever very truly,
; ''W AsHINGToN IRVING.
'Moses Thomas, Esq ..---.-..----...--'.---