New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-09

Robinson, and In few well-chossn words portrays
the peculiar features Of his mind and heart Professor
Hitchcock's memoir IL more elaborate IL Ito compost.
tion and sets forth finished and admirable picture
of the literary activity which has placed the name Of
the departed scholar in such elevated position on
the record Of American letters. 1t is pervsded by
genuine sympathy with the subject, and without
falling into the tone Of extrsvagant sulogy, sx-
presses warm sentiment Of reverence and love, In
foreible, and often curiously felicitous language
THE LIFE AND LETTERS or WASHINGTON IR.
| VINO By hi. Esphsw PlEnsn H. lsvixs Vol III
limo. PIP <os o. T. Putnam.
Each successive volume Of this deeply inter.
esting biography confirms the universal i'm
preston of the sunny disposition, the kindly
atfectonateness, and tho quaint and genial
humor of Mr.. Irving, apart from the more
purely Intellectual qualities which have given
his name such high and enduring place
among writers of tho English tongue. His IA
miliar and domestic life, as he was the orna-
ment aud charm of bis chosen circle, Ia dwelt
upon with admiriug fondns" by tho Editor oil
this work; although with tho modesty and
good taste which have throughout characterized
the performance of bis task, the graceful viz
/ tues of his admirable relative are left to be In
ferred from incidental facts, rather than made
the subject Of supernuous comment. The
present volume embraces the period between
the publication of the ALEXANDRA in 1882, and
his return from Spain to Sunnysids in 10l7.
including his tour to the pTarie', his appoint
nlent as Minister to Madrid, bis visit to Paris.
and other interludes which agreeably checkered
the even tenor of life in his later years.
In the following extract from letter TO Peter
Irving at Uavre, We have pleasant allusion to
the purchase Of Suluyside, which took place in
April, 1855:
You have been told, no doubt, Of pur.
chase have made Of ten asIes, lying 1T the foot OF
Oscars farm, on the nyer berk ltns besuiifnl
spot, capable Of being made little paradise. lhere
If q small stone DGtsh cottage on II, tuiit about
century since. aud inhabited by one Of the Van Iss-
sells. | have had areluect up there AID shall
build uIOn TIE old MADISON this Summer. My lcss
il to make little nOOkery somewhat m The Dutch
ssyle quaint, bgt unpretendns. h wal! be OF stone
lhe Coet will not be much. 1 DO not intend " set
up any establishment there, but 10 put soLe simple
furniture in 1t, and keep as meet, to wbieh can
resOrl when IA tie mood. In TACT, II more with
Wow % furnishing The worthy little Er@mIn hi'
brother EJentzsf, to whom lie had g. Hn TINS wtim-
nsaI sobriquetl 4 retreat for himself and hls .lrs,
WHERE they Gun ~ 10 rurslizs during tie lle.,selt
sagsou of tue year. Inc little man hes glsat love
for the country, and IA never 80 happy o. when he
can get away for t. few days from his multltanous
concerns hnd ..ffesh hu.eli in the green fields
and -inee l have pIrchased this little retreat me
very idea OF il las haunted his mind with dreams OF
~ rural felicity
The death Of bis brother Peter, 10 whom he
Lad beca tcaderly attached from boyhood up,
TOOK place in June, lcJo, and proved one OF
the se,ercst blows OF us lie. Ills sense Of this
great bereavement is fseliugly expressed in
letter 10 his sister, Mrs. Van Wart, dated nearly
three months subsequent TO that event:
Every day. every hour, feel how completely
Peter aud ~ sef were inter wined together IL the
whole course If our existence. lucesd, the very
eircumslsnce Of our both having never been married
bound US more closely together. lnc rect VI the
family were married, aud had families Of their own
10 engrOss ciyide their ympa,hies aud 10 weaken
tue fra,erusl tie. but stood in thu original, I'M
IMPAIR rratlOn 10 each other, and ia proportion a.
others were weanel away By circumstances, We
grew mere and more together i VAS not CONSCIOUS
how much this wac tie care while re was Iyins,
but row thsI he 10 gone, | feel how G!l-importalt
he WAS 10 me. dteary feeling Of loneliness cones
on me 10 times that reason against IA vain; for,
though surrounded by arecti0nate relliiySs, feei
that none can be what he was 10 me; none can take
20 thoroul interest IN my concerns; 10 none can
40 conndiugy lay open 10y every thought ana ieei-
igy and lNgose every fault AID fibls, certain Of
such perfect federation and indulgence. Siiee our
dear mothers death, have had no one who could so
patiently and tenderly bear with ali my weaknesses
and luirlaiios and throw owe every error the man-
tie OF affection. have been trying, OF late, TO re-
4 sumo uy PEN and, by enga iug my mind IN some
INTEL G ual task TO seepit from troOding these
me aucaoly tueme-; but lind 1t almost impossible.
Ny literary pursu- have te.n So often carried on by
s side AID urC III cytl have been 90 accu.i med
% talk over every plan with hin, az, rs II were.
20 think Alold when In his presence, thai caLnot
open book, or take upa payer or fecail pat vein
Il thought. without having HIM siGutly teiore NE,
nul nudng mys.if completely overcome. hope
aud trust traf, As the Autumu advances, and the
weather becomes cool and brsciug, | shall regain
sOmt thing 81 my usual " or Of 0ody, ana with t
tealtlier tone Of Wl4u; at ans rate, VAL not
trouble yol again with such sal lamentations.
Anotherlct to the same sister gives delight
fll picture of the surroundings OF his retreat u
sum! side.
1 iind by yonr correspondence h sister Cath
erire that ,he gives yoG many detail, Of coun-
Try ucigbOrhO1l and cIfcs aud that Won take great
iueres IN eye;y shiug le.tlng TO "ald I.rrytown."
ION would scarcely recognize the place, however, II
Ias undergone such cha0ges. These nave IL q
! great 1egrce taken places since have pitched my
| tcut in tie ueisht rho, d. lily residence here has
attracted otLersi cottages and country seats have
tpruug up alonk tie bsnks oil TIE IGpIau Sea, ana
| IarytOwn las become the metropolis o. qnile
/ Fashionable vicinity. Wien Won knew the ,i.age.
/ u was hllc bel,er than a mere hsuie', crouched
/ down 81 thriOot u n Ill., with Iie dock ,or he ac-
I cnmmodHtion Of tie weekly market s,.ou. Nov l.
; mas mounted Tie hal boasts OF lis n0tols ana
churste- 0. various concentrations; has It's h.tie
! Elisc0palian church with au orgau--tue gates o:
which, on Suudnys, are ttroused With eqWpagrs
Belonging TO families resident within zen ~ n dc ecu
miles aoug the uyor a.nAs. We have, ia TACT, one
Of he mot forable uri tDosAouds ever resided
M. Nuae u orr n.l- hhnf, me Lrra nnIr L. III.