New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-18
4 VISIT TO WASHINGTON IRHING.
Dosid Graham Adee IN The Repnbnc.

Udbfd UFdhdH Adee 81 The Rep1fDftc.
Leaving the carriage near the gate our company
strolled idly away among the trees that lined both
sides of the approach to the oft-descrbed nest Of
venerable genius just pecping an antique gable at
us through the dense b0ughs. Yes there was Sunny
side, cosy quaint eccentric dainty and Dutch, with
% weathercOck on every peak, and dark vines kiss
ing its fuTrOwed old face Just rs in tho fTOnspieCe
to the Sketch Book )" and there, too, If respons
i've to our Utmost wishes fingered upon the lawn tho
genial nature-Oying, cheery-faced GeOiirey Crayon
himself dressed in tic plain, easy Barb OF country
gentleman, cying us benignly, and presently bowling
n kindly welcome 10 us as lac closed the volume in
his hand, and advanced to meet our host, who had
accompanied us, and with whom he had had long
acquaintance by reason OF vicnage.U Mr.. Irving
stepped lightly forward for his years, and shook
hands cordially with each member of party,
who in turn was introduced, lie was q man, per-
haps, some five feet six or seven inches in height,
clean shaven face bushy brown wig and IN ex-
tremely neat If not elegant appearance. His smile
was pleasant and winning and his words were few
but warm, Make yourselves at home" he said ;
/" go inside my little box if you desire and tho
grounds are open 20 your footsteps" Remarked one
of our party: " You have made this beautiful spot
q reflex of your own writings Mr. Irving" " III
deed, indeed" he returned amy dear neces and
nephews are the witches and wizards who have
wrought the similitudc you remark. They are the
faries who try To please my tastes"
Our host and spokesman stated that IL was his
cherished wish to chTisten his newy-bOIn babe
after tG the beloved author Replied Alr. Irving:
Wash, out of respect for the glorious gOdfathers of
all the WashingtOns" After n few moro words
the Tappan Zee in our walk, so as. TO witness tho
golden sunset over the waters, and, bidding us q
polite good evening"" retired within his home-ike
donnie
On the succeeding sabbath some of our number
attended divine service in the Chastc and beautiful
Episcopal church of TarrytOwn, Of which Mr.. Irving
was for many years member and ycstryman. A
comfortable Old-lnshi0ned family barOuChc pnnct-
ually brought the distinguished bO0kwrigHt and
several of his relatives to tho church steps The
solemn reading of the Liturgy, and good moral
hOmily from Dr. Creighton, the rector fully re-
warded us for our, coming, and a parting look Mt
Godfrey CrayOn, the last we were ever distned
to have, as he smiled friendly good day to an
old acquaintance or two, who fingered upon the
porch to speak q passing greeting, imprinted n
still more indelible memory of him upon our
hearts and minds.
A triiling incident, showing Washington 'Irving's
fOndness for even the lowest forms of animal Crea-
ton was told us by our worthy host. party of
gentlemen from the city, old friends CT his. having
made him morning CALL one of the group. WmO
lettering on tho lawn which lay around tho uu-
tlors home, espicd a small striped adder gliding
ninbly away among the grass. Pursuing it, he
tried TO strike it with his cane, but Mr. Irving ran
swiftly to the spot, and picking up the passive
reptile strokcd it gently with his finger, exclaimng
with some reproach in his tone: &" My dear sir, my
dear sir pray do not hurt the charming little thing!N