Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-19
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For the Worcester Daily Spy.
Ut 1lTV " VIVV5IOT DaIIV oVys
The Home of Washington Irving.

twenty miles from New York city, and chiefly
noted as the residence of the late Washington
Irving A long street divides the place. on
either side of which are the costly and re-
markably beautiful homes of some of the
wealthiest gentlemen of New York The
land is nearly all owned by proprietors, who
sell it only for such erectons. Each of these
mansions is surrounded by large and pictur-
esque park, from which fine view of the
Hudson, with its sails, is visible, to more or
less extent.
Sunnyside, the home of the illustrious au-
thor, is very near the river, and although on
height at considerable remove from the wa
ter, is yet beneath high and overshadowing
landscape. We knew it, before announced
to us, from the pictures which every one has
seen; but no one who has not beheld the real
ity can form an adequate idea of the spot. 1t
is silent and slumberous, as though uninhabit-
ed deep-toned, grand in elegant simplici-
ty-a place in which to dream. The musi-
cal cascades beside the avenue, the old whis-
pering trees, the little foreign-looking house
with Its gables and bow-windows, at one of
which Irving used to sit in his library and gaze
upon the river,-all these were too suggestive
for words. Itwere idle to attempt to describe
such shrine as this
An emotion of exquisite sadness is almost
unavoidable, as the traveller fingers here in
this atmosphere Of profound repose. You
would at once recollect that it was a home,
planned and executed by disappointed"
though genial spirit. We remember once
when travelling in the west in 1912, on the
Ohio river, seeing large tomb above ground,
with an outlook upon the river. 1t was on a
height, but beneath what is called changing
Rock" Sunnyside reminds us most OF. this
tomb.
Had it not been for our pretty fairy guide,
young girl as interesting as you might infer
to be scion of the Stewards known in the
navy and army, this scene would have been
''steeped in melancholy"
'Here is some ivy planted by Irving him
SELF" said our fairy as we passed out of the
gate to return; ''it is permitted visitors to
break off Slip" and from her hand we re-
ceived token and talisman to contribute to
our ''cabinet of curiosities."
Another place of in terest in Irvington is the
the residence of Mr.. Stebbins, where is Gel
ebrated school for boys, limited to a small
number. Here we found a grandson of Fen
nimore Cooper. The principal of this school
sustains very high reputation as an educator
having had much expert ence and being man
evidently adapted for success. To this, not a
little contributes the companionship of his brill
liant wife, who exercises sweet and matronly
care of all her charges. This building com
mands the finest of rural and picturesque
views. In proximity, is the river with its far
ther boundary of hills, and hooks, and resi-
dences, and its nearer border of the Hudson
river railroad. The house is tronted immedi-
,.ately by beautiful park, well laid out with
: viues, shaded by evergreens, &c. At the
entrance Of the avenue is building, at first
view resembling "porter's lodge" In this
is the gymnasium, and headquarters of the
youthful soldiers, who drill daily in fine
weather, under the care of an experienced
French officer.
We made charming visit in New York
among the Friends, and were favored with an
attendance on lecture before the senior
members of the Friends Seminary, and also
at a meeting Of these people on "Fourth
Day"
We confess to partially for this excellent
and friendly branch of the christian church.
Their plain attire, their sweet, sober faces,
and their sensible regard for comfort rather
than show, quite wins our heart. 1t is deeply
charming for guest to be greeted by even
the children of the house by 81 am glad to
welcome thee" with quiet protfer of the
hand.
''Thee would like to go to Friends meet
ing?" asked our host and hostess, whose
hearts were brimfull of the golden rule. And
to the meeting we gladly went. But first 1
must not omit to mention the Seminary"
situated in one of the finest portions of the
town, overlooking large park with a foun-
tain, and fronting DR.. Tyng's church. Here,
where everything was scrupulously neat and
nice, we listened to lecture by DIR. Trimble,
a celebrated student of natural history, be-
fore the school, led off by friend Isaac Foulkes,
teacher who lives on Fifth avenue. In the
course of the interesting though lengthy lee
ture, some of the young people became ALT
tie exercised with their human nature and
stirred. "Friend Isaac" had but to look
kindly and thoughtfully in said direction, and
all was well with the children. AT the close
of the lecture we all went to ''meeting." The
children, entering with their teachers, made a
prominent portion OF the congregation.
When everybody had come, everybody be-
gan to wait for the invisible and silent nfu-
ence of the holy spirit. We declare, that to
us, this ''silent waiting" was more profitable
than many preliminary set of exercises in
the churches. We had time to think and to
know ourselves-time to hear the ''still small
voice." After long silence the spirit moved.
"Friend Isaac" who rose and addressed the
meeting for about ten minutes in an accepta-
BILE manner, related the death-bed scene
of Jesse Kersey of notoriety among the
Friends. The burden of this message was
e"The end of the good crowns ALL" and he re-
cited from DIR. Young the words-''the cham
Der where the good man meets his fate, &C."
After another waiting, an aged Friend with
long silver hair, rose and spoke upon "the
dew of the Lord watereth the fiocks."
This dew was infinitely more refreshing than
any other of the elements to which we ever
listened.
At last the Friend who was the leader put
on his hat and ''shook hands" with his. next
friend, and everybody got up and followed the
beautiful example. How lovely is this cor
dial kindness to each other May it never
decrease among this people. 1t is a reproof
to all those churches where people meet and
stare to part and make no sign.
We returned from New York by way of
the boat which formed a pleasing change
from the Springfield and New Haven land
rnutet Though, it is due to the local superin-
NJ lent of the Western road at Worcester,
Nichols, to add that an official who ex-
Thin in courtesy and kindness to travel.
ers, we have not found. On the land route
everybody remembers the ''tunnel" just before
entering New York. These days, a little
Italian boy comes into the cars and beguiles
that long dark ride nv a natriOtie song or