New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-04

hold true To ward contemporary English literature
there was the same indifference. bosweirs john
beyond the Mississippi and under the Southern cross,
ana lie likely TO be read long as the English exsts,
either as living or dead language"-the most dc
ghtful Of books BY the most desplcaole Of writer's
in this country before the sheets were dry from the
English press, appeared in England in 1871, and
was not reprinted in America till 1903. In thst
year at the darkest hour which proceeded the
dawn of our national literature the first purple CLEAN
of Irying's fancy began TO bush in the East. Soon
the eky was seen to redden and glow with the
coming splenio Hope and Expectation strained
their waiting eyes toward the glorious light, and
healing in his wings, and moved with steadfast glory
up to the meridian. Then. like the sun of Gseon,
Il stood still-a long and gladstone noon@soeddmg
light and ioy through the world of letters till 1t went
down at length with unclouded beams 10 the golden
West. His fame and bis favor grew with the growth,
and strengthened with the strength OF the country
bs early productions were the favortes Of the club
room and the freside, when we counted some seven
millions of population, in 1909. His Life of Colum-
bus and Life of Washington have been received
classics by four times that number whose overflow
has spread to the Pacific Ocean. The most popular OF
cur writer's in his YOUTH when there 70 con-
tsst the palm, he led, with cheerfully acknowledged
superiority the rapidly increasing company of names
not unworthy to be eassed with his 1n, and went
down 10 his grave in mis- well earned, undsputed, IN
enved preemnence.
Such he was to his countrymen as an American
writer nor was his career less distinguished MEM
bere The great republic Of European, and especially
of English Letters. Milton observed, two centuries
ago. that the Italians were not r@ard to bes'ow
written encomums on men of this side the Alps"
Itight be said with equal truth fifty years ago, not
now, that the Eoglsh were not forward 70 be-
stow written encomiums on men this side OF
the Atlantic. Ii must be owned, however,
that at the beginning Of this century, there had
not been many occasions to put that hoerallty IN
this respect TO the test. About the Tune that Mr..
T. bod he aEcn
ieusly than unjustly by kindhearted humorst, who
really loved America, "Who reads an American
book l' Thanks 10 the pen Of our accomplished coun-
try man. the question reversed, and ateS the
publication of the Sketch Book il might with N.lal
propriety have been asked, "WnO does not read an
American book ?" Mr.. Irving, however, went abroad
at the most uniavorabe moment at which an Ameri-
can author could present hinself before the British
public. To the general prejudcies 10 which have
alluded, and all the traditional sources OF anti Amer
can feeling connected with recoectcns OF the Revo-
luton, were superadded the irrtatons OF recent war;
OF ali literary adventures Young American, writing
for bread and seemed the least likely to gain favor
able ear in London Even if there no obstacles
of this kind to be surmounted, Mr. Irvngs arrival in
Europe conceded with the palmy days of Scott Byron
Moore, Campbell, Rogers, Coeridge and Wordsworth.
But with calm sslf-reance of sterling merit, be fear
lessly entered the olympian with these nsrious
rivss. He entered it unknown to the great Eagtsh
pnblic with but one friend among the literary mag
mates of the day. But, with courage, set off by una
fected difdence he guided his glowing axle songthe
imperial course. shout of generous applause soon
ebeered the gallant stranger; toe brightest eyes IN
England raned influence on his noble adyen-
ture; more than one of the veteran candidates for
public favor, dropped successfully behind him,
and wheeled bis painting courses in trum Oh TO
the goal, abreast of the most admired of his compe-
after what has been said by the distinguished eulogist
of the evening, and the other gentlemen who have
preceded me- to pursue in any detail the noble career
OF orr departed friend. Happy in his genius, happy
in he aplv Of /
will eay in his sfounes, happy in the success of
bis miscellaneous writings, he was thrice happy in the
choice of the subjects Of his two great historical COM
positions. One might ask what theme 30 auspicious
for the most popular of American writer's at the
meridian of his fame, the life Of Columbus had he
not found for his later years still more auspi,ious
theme in the Life of Washington. What unexampled
felicity, not only to accompany the great Dis
coverer as he went forth weeping, bat
bearing precious seed" but also to " come again
with rejoicing" at the evening of the year,
clearing the full-grown sheaves' of the
Father of his Country How favored the life, beyond
all ordinary of human happiness. Opening
with the year which gave recognized national exist
10 the countryccnsecrated by the benedcton OF
Washington his infant head-and permitted 10 re-
hearse, to all coming time, the wondrous tale of hid
den world called forth by the glorious adventurers
from behind the vail OF waters and that still more
drous still more glorious tale OF that peerless name, In
which all the blessings, and hopes, and destinee OF
that new-found world lowered out in the loneliness Of
their contamination. There is yet one happiness in |
the life of Irving that must not be orgotten-I mean
that be permitted to enjoy while living in all it,
amplitude and without deduction his worldwide rep
utaton. So cheerful, so unanimous recognition of |
contemporary merit has perhaps never been wit. |
messed. Success, fame, afiuence, political advance
forgiven to the candidate for pub
lie favor, rolsed up no enemies TO him. No one \
envied his good fortune, no one qualified his |
praies, no one hated, no one maligned him. De. |
traction was melted into kindness by the angelic
loveness Of his character and voice but that of
respect affection and veneration reached his ear. So
he lived and he died. These posthumoua honors ara
but the echoes of those which you delighted 10 pay
him while he sojourned among us; and the chaplet
which You reverenty place upon his grave you wove
for his living brow. What be added 10 tbs happ
ness of such life and such DEATH
mr. Everett was !ondlv annanded: