New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


"a y
4sS S1,l vols lQmo Eew-Yorks O. T. Putnam and
Hurd Houghton, 1906 80,
rbese beautifully printed volumes contain all OF the
hitherto unpublished productions Of washington
lrying's prolific pon, together with certain papers
bio-rapbical sketches, reviews OF BOOKS ana oIheI
miscelaDies which have been culed from EnghSh ana
American reviews and magazines. We are glad on
many accounts that these articles have been collected
o,d nut into euch form that they can be easily re-
- 90 IN connection with the Life and Letters of
Irving for several OF them are of Importance in Illus
rating Irvings character or as satisfying on points
,rboro his conduct has been sharply but unjustly
criticized.
The first volume contains the "Spanish papers,
consisting Of legendary tales principally relating to
the Moorish rule in SPAIN and to the contest between
the Moors aud the Spaniards which resulted IN the
,onplete overthrow of the nober and more accom-
plished race in these tales Mr.. Irving iound again
ON ground which by his learning and research no less
than by his enthusiasm ana poetic ieenuS, no iI"s
made his own. We are never tired o lea9ihg "naV
he writes about Spain. as be was never tre9 Oh VIII
tng and Mr. Pierre Irving who unwitungy caused
nis distinguished uncle to lay aside THESE cnatm-
ing sketches has made the amplest amends Tor MS
,schapce in giving them 10 Us IN this luxurious type
and papcr we are glad also that with this farewell
volume of the works Of that writer whose lame DC mas
dome 40 ruch 10 pOpulari2e aud revive Mr.. George T.
Putnam has again entered the helG as poOn'uoI'
On what he has done TO put lrylngs works mo
beautiful Typographical shape, and to scatter theIl
broadcast over the country, Mr.. Putnam might wen
30 content to rest his claims to be counted one oil our
6,remost publishtrs; but We have 90 thank hun Tor
many books beside, which have had vide influence
our American culture. our pest WISHES ,o' li1
arc that he NAV find another Irving and, surely good
wishes for the next Irving that the gods may bless US
with con take no more cordial shape than that he may
find another Putnam to water his laurelS.
washington Irving died at "Suunyside on the
oirbt of November - 1859 az the oge Of 40. In the
Sprng of the previous year be bad finished the NTH
ana last volume of his "Iife Of Washington, which
closed the long list Of his invaluable contributions TO
The literature Of the English tongue IL was III iSiy'
1915 while he was living in Paris, that ConsiaOie'
the Edinburgh publisher, wrote 10 him. proposing tne
liza of Washington as a subject for his pen; and al
though he did not NJ once set about the popOScu VaSA
ret is probable that the happy suggestion loon root
IN his mind aud was never wholly forgotten. AZ tnat
tim, however he was not IN mood favorable TO the
undertaking Of any literary work, nor would II nave
been possible for him 10 write lie OF washington
while living in Europe And although he bad now
been away from home ten years, he was so ior IRON
any thought Of q speedy return that we ma nm III
tho very next year. 1876, leaving Paris Tor AladTd
whore he was deep in researches for ms Lie OF
Columbus" This was his first visit 10 Spain, land
of whose climate, scenery history, language ana
pe0ple he became so enamored that u STOOD haTdly
second in his heart TO his own country, OF which, how
ever no man was ever q more devoted son. America
was TO him father and mothers Spain was his mistress
Even before he set foot on her shores his heart seems
g. have gone ont 20 her, and the strong aIecto9 10
which be was 10 be bound 20 her was probably knfeu
oy a previous study Of her history and literature III
her own language. In ls25, he wrote 70 his young
nephew Pierre Paris Irving; The Spanish language
- is full of power magnihcence ana melody
To nv taste il eXCels the Italian IN variety ana eA-
preston Ii has twice the quantity OF words that the
French has. do not know anything that dellghts
NE more than the old Spanish literature. You VIII
find some splendid histories in the language and then
TIA poetrv Is full Of animation path0s, hum0r beauty
sublimtv The old literature of Spain paltakcs OF
tho character Of It's history and lbs people; there an
oriental splendOr about 10. The mixture OF Arabic
fervor. magnfcence, and romance, with old Castlan
pride and punctio; the Chvalrous heloSmi the I'm,
naculate virtue; the sublmated notions OF honor and
courtesy oil contrast finely with the sensual amOurs
the sclfndulgences the uTqnncipled and crafty IN
trgues which so often form the groundwork o.
Italian story
fifteen t,ars lator hon no made his first serious e
fort 10 begin the d" Life Of Washington Spain should
again turn the splendor Of her eyes upon him and WOO
him from the task in l4l he applied himself 10 the
work with the enthusiasm with which he always be;
gan new literary undsraF4fp6H TIC duties ofhs
,t}h Gs Minister 10 Spain, office conferred upon
BIN BIZ President Tyler 40 the suggestion Of Daniel
Webster. Seven years Of diplomatic life followed this
entirely unexpected but by no means unwccOme,
appointment IN which Irving hOnOred himself and HE
country by the courtesy and dignity with which he
performed the duties Of hls position The United
States probably never had more efficient Minister,
ably - We have been served in that &C.
pacty by several Of our most shining names.
Yet practical as he was, and assiduous, there was
something more than this, something that made bis
appointment 10 Spain peculiar felicity. His heart
Al warmed 10 the country that u Wa more than a
duty 90 serve her; II was pure pleasure. And biz
official relations were as teHEitU % those with
whom he was hro1z Into Intercourse as they were 10
amseG Daniel WcOster-then Secretary Of State
asei say that he laid aside the locr Of every other
correspondent % read dispatch from Irving, and bis
letters and journals overflow with proof OF the aec
ton as well as respect With which be regarded by
per'Ons In the highest stations IN Spain. Not that
W would be understood as meaning that these letters
and journals can be charged with egotsm Nothing
could Dc further from The truth But, man 80 frank
and parent as Irving was, could not be surrounded
Coz three years by crowd OF friends in all classes oi
Spanish society who regarded him with an affection
almost enthusiastic, without imparting to his inti-
mates with whom he correspOnded the genuine pleas
ure these proofs Of affection gave him, nor could he
make a record OF any day in bis journal in which it
would not be necessary 10 mention something
that showed how he was admired and
beloved. When be called at the palace 10 make
his a3.oux 20 the Queen on resigniDg his mis-
sion. the Throne responded in words warmer
aud more cordial than ever before greeted the ears
OF an ambassador to that puaetOus court
living snature indeed, was peculiarly fitted to make
him enjoy his life in Spain, for bis character united
many Of the qualities that 90 to make the Spanish
character lie was warm hearted, frank and genial;
with chdlike simplicity and flowing sympathy that
made bin at home with all classes. lie was as much
at his while talking with Queens and Processes
as when he was chatting with the dark-eyed Dolores
in the Alhambra or his first visit to France sitting
amoug toe peasant girls Of Tonnein needle in hand
a. the quilting frame moved with pity for the poor
Gle De Ois in Paris streets, and giving her double
money for her bouquet. He had quick eye for
the beauty Of women and drew them strongly 10 him
by a certain warmth and gallantry Of manner which