The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-11-30

time. The mission of the great American au-
thor, WAsHINeTos IRVING, is ended on earth.
He died on Monday, 2Sth inst, at "sunny-
side" in the village of Irvington, station on
Hudson River Railroad, rs miles north of
ew York. Death is simply the SOULS change
of residence, and the accustomed benignant
face Of Geoffrey Crayon will no more be seen
on the banks Of the Hudson.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
WASHINGTON IRVING was born in the ,ity of
New York, April 8, 1888. His father was
native of Scotland, his mother an English wo-
man. His first literary essays, &c, attracting
attention, were letters on the drama, social
customs of New York, communicated over the
signature of Jonathan 0ldstyle," in the
Morning Chronicle, democratic journal of that
city, conducted by bis brothers. After some
attention to the study of law, his health gave
way, and continental tour was entered upon
in 1904. On returning from Enslandin in 1905, he
was admitted to the bar. His brother WILLIAM,
afterward in Congress, Joined him in the pub
location, 1907, Of the "Salmagundi, or the Whim-
whoms and Opinions of Launcelot LangsscS and
Others" semi-monthly magazine, which
was issued only for one year. The History Of
New York, by DIEDRICH KNIoKERBooKER, was
published by him in 1909. For seven years,
from 1910 to 1917 with two other brothers,
he was engaged in New York and Liverpool
in conducting an extensive commercial es-
Enlistment. A reverse of fortunes wheel
returned WASHINGTON to the copgeniality Of
authorship. During his commercial engage
meut, time was given to contribute series
of naval biographies to the Philadelphia An
alsc!ic Magazine. In 1919, the Sketch Book
appeared. This work stamped character
OF eminent ability upon the author at home
and in critical circles of Europe. America
at once obtained name Of literary renown.
IT'S republication in England introduced the
author to a lifelong friendship with WALTER
SCOTT. MURRAY, the London publisher, who
had declined to print the Sketch Book, gave
1000 guineas for Braeebridge Hall.
HIS CAREER ABROAD.
In 1901 he was in London and Paris in
the winter Of 1922 at Dresden, and that OF
1926 in the South of France. In 1925 his per-
sonal observations and researches in Spain
gave him the materials for the great achieve
mont Of his pen-"The Life and Voyages If
COLUMBUS. Mr.. IRVING left Spain in July,
1929, and returned to London to discharge the
duties connected with the Secretary ship of
Legation to the American Embassy.
ROYAL H0N0Rs.
In 1880 Mr.. HENRY HALLAM, the historian
and himself were honored by the gift of two
fifty guinea gold medals, ordered bysGEoRes
Nv to be presented to the two authors who
should be adjudged to have attained the
greatest excellence in historical composition.
10 the next year the degree of LII. D. was
conferred on Mr.. IRVING by the University of
Oxford.
HIS RETURN TO AMERICA.
His reception in New York, in May, 1882,
after seventeen years from home, was the
fairsst triumph that has been accorded to lit
crsry desert in the New World. The greet
Wost was visited, and the Indian characters
portrayed by him thereafter are memorable.
From 1842 to 1846, Mr.. IRVING resided as
United States Minister in Spain, and, return
ing home in the latter year, sought quiet re-
treat for his remaining years in Wolfert's
RooBt. TUcKERMAN, TILToS and N.P. WILLIE
have described him in his bachelor -home--for
GEoFPRoY CRAYoN was content to eulogize the
blessings of matrimony, whilst denying him
self their indulgence--in the company of his
surviving brother, EBESEzER, and the neices
who have been daughters TO the veteran au-
thor, no spent his declining years.
fTgc READS AN AMERICAN BooK?" NO LONGER
TAuNT.
ALLISON, the distinguished historian of mod
orn Europe, has said: "The names Of CooPER,
CHANNIgG and WASHINGTON IRVING amply de-
mopstrate that the American soil is not want
iug in genius Of the most elevated and facinat-
ing character" E.
HIS STYLE.
OF his style, EDWARD EVERETT says il a
young aspirant after literary distinction
"Tishes to study o style which possesses the
ohs:sotoristic beauties of ADDISON, its ease,
simplicity and elegance, with greater accuracy,
point and spirit, lot him give his days and
nights to the volumes of IRVING"
HIS LITERARY REPUTATION.
ALExAaDER EVERETT, in the North American
Repie'O, truthfully and eloquently says
"Othet writers may no doubt arise in the
course Of time who will exhibit in verse and
prose more commanding talent, and soa,
still loftier flight in the empyrean sky O
glory. Some Western HOMER, SHAEsrBARE
MILTON, CoRsEILLE or CALDERoN, may irradi
ate our literary world with q flood of splendol
that shall throw all ether greatness into thu
shade. This, or something like it, may OF
may not happen, but even if it should, it oar
never be disputed that the mild and beautiful
genius of Mr.. IRVING was the morning sta,
that led up the march Of our heavenly host
and that he has q fair right, much fairer, Ger
t,lnly, than the great MAsTuAr, to assume tn,
proud device-Rimus ego in patriam."
We need not allude TO the numerous othe
literarv produetiona of Ipvrun,a uh;ch h M,