The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-19
Washington irving.

There was whole crowd of strangers
to dinner (says Miss Power, among whom
was Washington Irving, man of about
sixty, with large beautiful eyes. a large
wcll-formed nose, a countenance still hand
some, in which youthful little dimples and
smiles bear witness to youthfully fresh
and humorous disposition and soul. He
must be man of an unusual happy tenn
permanent, and of the most excellent heart.
He has surrounded himself with a number
OF nieces Che says he cannot conceive of
what use boys are in the world } whom he
makes happy, and who make him so by
taeir affection. He says he has the pc.
culiar faculty of liking everything which
he possesses, and everything which seeks
his protection. He is an optimist, but not
a conceited one. In the afternoon | beg.
ged him to allow me to take profile like
ness of him; and, in order that he might
not go quite asleep during the operation
l begged Angelica III. to sit just opposite
to him, and talk to him; and the plan sue
ceeded excellently. The handsome old
gentleman now became wide awake, loqua-
cious and lively; AMI there was much Vi
vacity in his smile, and so much fun in
all the merry dimples of his counteuance,
that it is my own fault if have not made
one Of the best and most characteristic
portraits that has ever been taken of this
universally beloved author. l am glad to
have it to show it to his friends and ad-
mirers in Sweden. Washington Irving
invited me and my friends to his house for
the following evening. His house, or villa,
which stands on the banks of the Hudson,
resembles peaceful idyll; thick masses of
ivy clothe one portion of the white walls
and garland the caves. Fat cows fed in a
meadow just before the window. " thin.
the room seemed full of summer warmth,
and had peaceful and cheerful aspect.
One felt that cordial spirit, full of the
best sentiment of the soul, lived and
worked there. Washington Irving, al
though possessed of the politeness of the
man of the world, and with great natural
good temper, has, nevertheless, somewhat
of that nervous shyness which so easily
attaches itself to the author, and in par
ticular to him who is possessed of delicacy
of feeling and refinement. The poetical
mind, by its intercourse with divine
spheres, is often brought somewhat in dis
harmony with clumsy earthly realities
To these belong especially the visits of
strangers and the forms of social inter
course, as we make them in good society
on earth, and which are shells that must
be cracked if one would get the juice of
either kernel or fruit. But that is diff
Guilty for which one often has not time.
A portrait which hangs in Washington
Irving's drawing-room, aud which was
painted many years since, represents him
as a remarkably handsome man, with dark
hair and eyes-a head which might have
belonged to Spaniard When young he
must have been unusually handsome. lie
was engaged to young lady of rare beauty
and excellence; it would have been difficult
to meet with handsomer pair. But she
died; and Washington Irving never again
sought for another bride He has been
wise enough to content himself with the
memory Of a perfect love, and to live for
literature, friendship, and nature. He is
wise man, but without wrinkles and
gray hair.