Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-04
A Visit to Washington Irving.

L
Leaving the carriage near the gate our
company strolled idly away among the
trees that lined both sides of the APP
proach to the oft-described nest of ven-
erable genius, just peeping an antique
gable at US through the dense boughs.-
Yes, there was Sunnyside, cosy, quaint,
eccentric, dainty and Dutch, with a
weathercock on every peak, and dark
vines kissing its furrowed old face, Just
as in the frontispiece to the "Sketch
Book )" and, there, too, as if responsive
to our inmost wishes, fingered upon the
lawn the genial, nature-loving, CHEEKY
faced Geofrey Crayon himself dressed
in the plain, easy garb of country gen.
tleman, eying us benignly, and present.
ly bowling kindly welcome to us as he
closed the volume in his hand, and adj
vanced to meet our host, who had &C.
companied us, and with whom he had
had long acquaintance "by reason of
vicinage." Mr.. Irving stepped lightly
forward for his years, and shook hands
cordially with each member of our par
ty. who in turn was introduced. He
was a man, perhaps, some five feet six
or seven inches in height, square of
shoulder, though not corpulent, with
clean shaven face. bushy brown wig
and an extremely neat if not elegant ap.
pearance. 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 de-
sire, and the grounds are open to your
footsteps" Remarked one of our Par
ty: You have made this beautiful
spot reflex of your own writings, Mr..
Irving" Indeed, indeed" he re-
turned; my dear nieces and nephews
are the witches and wizards who have
wrought the similitude you remark
They are the fairies who try to please
my tastes"
Our host aud spokesman stated that it
was his cherished wish to christen his
newly born babe after the beloved au-
thor. Replied Mr.. Irving: "Then, my
dear sir, do not then nickname him
wash, out of respect for the glorious
godfathers of all the WashiEgtons."-
After few more words he directed us
to take the river bank, the margin of
the .Tappan Zee, in our walk, so as to
witness the golden sunset over the wa
tefs, and, bidding us a polite "good
evening"" retired within his home like
domicile.
On the succeeding Sabbath some of
our number attended divine service in
the chaste and beautiful Episcopal
church Of Tarrytown, of which Mr.. Ir-
wing was for many years member and
vestryman. A comfortable old fash
Toned family bar0uche punctually
brought the distinguished book-wright
and several of his relatives to the church
steps. The solemn reading of the Lit
urgy, and a good moral homily from
DIR. Creighton, the rector, fully reward
ed for our coming, and parting look at
Geoffrey Crayon, the last we were ever
destined to have, as he smiled friendly
good day to an old acquaintance or two,
who fingered upon the porch to speak
passing greeting, imprinted q still more
lndellbie memory of him upon our
hearts and minds.
A trifling incident showing Washing
ton Irving's fondness for even the low
est forms of animal creation was told us
by our worthy host. A party of gentle
men from the city, old friends of his,
having made him morning call, one of
the group, while lettering on the lawn
which lay around the author's home,
espied small striped adder gliding
nimbly away among the grass. Pursu-
ing 1t, he tried to strike it with his cane,
but Mr.. Irving ran swiftly to the spot,
and picking up the passive reptile
stroked it gently with his finger, ex-
claiming with some reproach in his
tone: my dear sir, my dear sir, pray
do not hurt tho charming little thingW