The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-09-20
WASHINGTON IRVING.

Among our American authors, Washing
ton irving occupies one of the highest places.
In our lighter literature, lie is without rival
as an artist. His works have become stand
ard on both sides of the Atlantic. As Thack-
cry said: " He was the first ambassador from
the New World of letters to the Old" His
vivid word l'aintings nsver fail to charm
and animate the reader, once enjoycd-learc
upon the mind an impression Of g lingering
loneliness not soon to be obiterate'i.
Irving was born in New York City, April
3rd, 1888. He received II very limited school
education. His rambiin. disposition pre-
ferred rather to sathsr its information from
personal observation than from hooks. Thus
we find him at an early age spending whole
days among the Dutch settlements of tina
island, gaining that perfect knowledge of
the country, with its traditions and legends,
and the habits Of the people, which gives
such charm and interest to his " History of
New York" and the tales of Zip Van
Wrinkle" and Sleepy Hollow"
He commenced TO write for the newspa-
pers in 1902, but soon after i'll health COM
| PEELED him to travel, and while IN Rome he
met Allston, and WAS for 4 while almost
| tempted to become a painter. He after
wards studied law, but never appears to have
practiced it. During his second visit to
| Europe, the failure of his brothers. with
| whom his entire property had been placed,
| threw him upon lis own resources 1t was
now that the Sketch Book was given to the
| public. Its hearty reception not only placed
| the authors name on the highest pinnacle
of fame, but brought to him the more solid
| necessities of life.
| Shortly after the publication of the Sketch
| Book II lady was visiting an art gallery i'll
Italy with her daughter. Both paused be-
| =" 4
awhile, the daughter turned to her Rlother
and asked, "Who was Washington -
"Why, my dear, l am ashamed" her
mother replied, "don't you know Washing
ton wrote the Sketch Books?'
"All great men have their habits, and
one in which Irving loved to indulge was
the custom of reading in bed. He relates
the following laughabe incident himself in
which his midnight revels in literature re-
ceivcd an unlooked-for check. lie was
passing the night at Wimbledon, n country
| resort of Lord Spencer He had retired,
| and was reading, as had been his lifelong
| custom, in bed, when the door suddenly
opening, in stalkcd man or ghost with
| lantern in his hand, who quietly marched
up to the lamp, and with some muttered
ejaculation, which Irving was unable to
catch, extinguished the light, and leaving
him in primsval darkness, departed as he
| had come The next morning Irving re-
| lated the manner in which he had been so
coolly extinguished the night before, to the
| great amusement of his hostess, who ex-
planned that since they had once lost n
country seat by fire, their fireman had hal
orders to walk the corridors at night, and
when he detected a light from under any
door to extinguish it. The explanation was
| no doubt satisfactory, but it does not appear
| that Irving was ever cured of his propcnS-
| ity in this direction.
The following is related of Irving's mod
esty by his biosrapher: Mr.. Irving was TO
receive the degree of IL ID. AT Oxford.
"a. he advanced to receive the compliment
airy degree, he was greeted with prolonged
| reclamation from the students. lie was
quite overcome, though all the time con-
tending with q laugh ut the vociterous and
saturnalian applause.
In the latter part of his life, while resid-
| ing Ut SunnySidc, he had the pleasure OF
entertaining Louis Napoleon, afterwards
| Emperor of France. In Il letter written in
1853, he says: Louis Napoleon and Eugc-
ME Montiio, Emperor and Empress of
France. one of whom have had guest at
| nv cottage on the Hudson; the other whom,
when child, have held upon my knee at
| Granada. II seems to cap the climax OF
| the strange dramas of which Paris has been
the thcater during my lifetime.
Irving was never married, ever remain
| ing faithful to the memory OF Matilda fioti-
man, who died in her eighteenth year, and
to whom lie had been betrothed. Her Bible
was carefully preserved, and was on the
table mt his bedside when he died. After
his death tiny miniature of great beauty
WAS found, and Il piece of paper, on which
were inscribed his name and hers in her
own handwriting. As Il friend, Washing
ton Irving was remembered with tendercSt
affection as an author, he will never cease
to he remembered with delight and admira-
| tinn