Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-03-03
IRVING AND MACAULAY.
BY W. NJ. THACKERAY.

Almost the last words which Sir Walter spoke
to Lockhart, his biographer, were, "Be good
man, my dearr' and with the last flicker of |
breath on his dying lips, he sighed farewell to |
his family and passed away blessing them
Two men, famous, admired, beloved, have Just
left us, the Goldsmith and the Gbbon of our
time Ere few weeks are over many critics
pen will be at work, reviewing their lives and
passing Judgment on their works. This is no
review, or history or criticism only a word in
testimony of respect and regard from man of
letters, who owes to his own professional labor
the honor of becoming acquainted with these
two eminent literary men. One was the first
ambassador whom the New World of Letters
sent to the Old. He was born almost with the
republic; the pdter pdtriG had laid his hand on
the child's head. He bore Washington's name:
he came among us bringing the kindest spmpa-
thy the most artlcss, smiling GOODWILL. His
new country (Which some people here might be
disposed TO regard rather superciliously) could
send us, as he showed in his own person, gen.
tleman, who, though himself born in no very
high sphere was most finished, polished, easy,
witty, quiet; and, socially the equal of the most
refined Europeans. flrying's welcome in Eng
land was kind one, was it not also gratefully
remembered? II he ate our salt, did he not
pay us with thankful heart? Who can cal
culate the amount of friendlness and good feel
ing for our country which this writer's generous
and untiring regard for us disseminated in his
own? His books are read by Millions of his
countrymen, whom he has taught to love Eng
land and why to love her? 1t would have
been easy to speak otherwise than he did, to
infame national rancors, which, at the time when
he first became known as public writer war
| had Just renewed to cry down the old civiliza-
| ton at the expense of the new; to point out
our faults, arrogance, shortcomings and give
| the republic to infer how much she was the
parent states superior There are writer's
enough in the United States, honest and 9TH
erwise, who preach that kind of doctrine But
the good Irving, the peaceful, the friendly, had
no place for bitterness in his heart, and no
scheme but kindness. Received in England
with extraordinary tenderness and friendship
(Scott, Southey, Byron, hundred others have
borne witness to their liking for him. he was a
messenger of goodwill and peace between his
country and ours. "See. friends" he seems to
say, "these English are not so wicked, rapacious
callous, proud, us you have been taught TO be-
lieve them. l went among them humble man
won my way by my pen and, when known
found every hand held out to me with kindness
and welcome. Scott is a great man, you ac
knowledge. Did not Scott's king of Englant
give gold medal to him, and another to me
your countryman, and stranger?"
, lraultOn Ill tue Onltcu Ctulcs SUN loHul,
retains the history of the feasts and rejoicing
which awaited Irving on his return to his natiy'
country from Europe He had a national wei
come he stammered in his speeches. hid him
self in confusion, and the people loved him al
the better. He had worthily represented Amer
lea in Europe. In that young community maj
fT who brings home with him abundant European
testimonials is still treated with respect II hav
found Americans writer's of underworld reputa
/ ton strangely solicitohs about the opinions c
= quite obscure British critics, and elated or de
/ pressed by their judgments); and Irving wer
home medalled by the king, diplomatized by tn
: university, crowned, and honored, and admired
4 lie had not in any way intrigued for his honor
g he had fairly won them; and, in lrving's il
s stance, as in others, the old country was ga
n and eager to pay them.
d In America the love and regard for Irving WI
i q national sentiment. Party wars are perpetl
ally raging there, and are carried on by the pres
!. with rancor and fierccness against individual
~ which exceed British-aimost Irish virulenc
" 1t seemed to me- during a years travel in Il
! country as if no one ever aimed blow at |
pl wing. All men held their hand from that harm
less, friendly peacemaker. had the fortune
r. see him at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimo
and Washington,t and remarked how in evel
place he was honored and welcome. Eyerylarl
pride in the fame of its men of letters. III
gate of his own charming little domain on Il
II beautiful Hudson River was forever swingil
rs before visitors who came to him. He shut o
" no one.t l had seen many pictures of his hous
= and read descriptions of it, in both of which
A. was treated with not unusual American exagge
I'd alton. 1t was but pretty little cabin of
~ u See his Life in the most remarkable Dictionary
d. Authors, published lately at Philadelphia, by MIR.
lg bone.
I'd AT Washington, Mr.. Irving came to n lecture Civ
id by the writer which Mr.. Fillmore and General Pier
of the President and President elect also kind
u ough to attend together. "Two Kings of Brentit
ie smelling at rose" says Irving looking up with
lie good-humored smile.
e. Mr.. Irving described to me, with that humor q
ts good-humor which he always kept, how among otl
o visitors member of the British press, who had C
w ried his distinguished pen to America (where he
MS poyed it in villfyng his country, came to 81
lis nyide, introduced himself to Irving partook of
tn wine and luncheon, and in two days described
nv Irving his house. his nieces his meal and his
~ of doing afterwards, in n New York paper On
he other occasion Irving said laughing "rwo pers'
came to me- and one held me in conversation WI
tha 9th r,,atec nj tonlt rfrait