Litchfield enquirer., 1861-01-10
For the LITCHFIELD ENQUIRER. WASHINGTON IRVING.

The year 1860 will ever form an interesting era in the history of Literature, the sad events of its summer, crowded into the brief space of a few short weeks, will Tn after years be reviewed with interest, when the actors who figured in tho drama; shall have passed from the stage of human existence. Not only in the literary, but in the political world, was it an eventual period Montebello and Najenta will not be forgotten, and the bloody field of SolferiHo will long remain as a memorial of tue brief but intellectual strug- gle for Italian liberty. But while in the world of politics, literature and art it was year full of interest, it was none the less remarkable fer it's obituary record which bears upon it's pages the names of some of the most distinguished men of the age.
 From almost every sphere of action some ill., ustrious name has been plotted out forever. Sci ence has lost her Humboldt, her Ritter, her ste- phenson and her Lardner. Art mourns over the graves of Crawford, and of Leslie The star of Metterniche has set in the political horizon, and some of the brightest ornaments of the literary world have departed forever. Hervey and De Toqueville are gone, Hallam and Prescott are no more. And De Quincey, Leigh Hunt, Rufus Choate, and Macaulay, are erased from the cata- logue ofthe living. In life the career of each has been glorious, and dying they have left last ing memorials of their greatness. But the sad recold is not yet complete. Ere we bring it to a close we must atfi1 the name of one who was the pride and boast of literature in the nineteenth century, the American model of christian, gentlemen and scholar, full of years, and bur- dened with horrors, his labors done, and we'll done, he was gathered to his rest. ~
 "Gone before us, o our brother,
 To the spirit-land
 Vanly look we for another,
 In thy place to stand!''
 While the torch of eulogism, kindlel on the grave of Rufus Choate, and famed into bright CT blaze, by the eloquence of Edward Everett, yet burned brightly to his memory, while the music of his clarion voice still fingered on our ears and "the cleds of the valley" were yet fresh on his lonely resting place, there came voice from the banks of the majestic Hudson, Wash ington Irving is dead" Like sudden thunder cloud in sky where all is serene and beautiful the tidings burst upon the world that the "Great Patriarch of American Litera ture'' was no more. As a. scholar his name will be handed down to posterity, and as an author his works Will be the delight of generations to be. But While we non or him for his literary attanments we would pay him orateful tribute of respect, for that purity If character which has ever distinguished him in his nrivate relations. Whatever may be his fone as an author, the record of his life as man is the richest legacy which he has bequeathed to posterity. A kind friend to the poor, bene- factor to the unfortunate.
 "The very gentlest of all human natures
 He joined to courage strong,
 And love outreaching unto all Gods creatures
 With sturdy hate of wrong"
 Far away from the din and bustle ofthe world, among the beautiful recesses of Sunny Side" he finished the task which had been allotted to him here, and in the mellow evening of his life, passed to his long home in tranquility ant peace. WIaDsos.