Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-04-27
Some Anecdo,e. Of Washington Irwin,

You ask me to give you few new anec-
dotes of Washington Irving
One bright morning before breakfast, when
most of the family were gathered on the
western piazza at Suunyside, our attention
was attracted by the loud cries Of a beauti-
full bird which was flying around and repeat
edy dashing itself against the trunk OF To-
Gust tree near by. We quickly discovered that
a red squirrel had robbed birds nest Of an
egg, which he held in his mouth, and, like an
adroit tactician, merely moved q little way
around the trunk OF the tree, out Of the
birds way, when it few fercely toward it,
and endeayored to peck it with its bill or beat
it with its wings. In a little while the poor
bird was so injured that it was forced to with
draw. Then the squirrel with the greatest
impudence came out on a limb of the tree,
glibly cracked the egg, deyoured its contents,
and dropped the pieces Of the shell almost at
our feet. Mr.. Irving was soon in almost as
much distress as the bird, exclaimed against
the barbarity Of squirrels in general, and or
dered all on his grounds to be shot He
loved all living and pleasant things but birds
especially. Every one may not recolect the
time when Mr.. Irving was walking about the
grounds with friend and passed very near
to a birds nest upon which the mother bird
was sitting. His friend noticed the tameness
of the bird, when Mr.. Irving said, "Oh, We
know each other very well; often go by the
nest, and we always look at each other, but
she is not afraid Of me, nor of her"
He once told inimitably the salient points
of little adventure he had in company with
the French and Russian ambassadors aud Sir
David Wilkie, when they were travelling in
the most unostentatious way on the Medter
ranean shores of Spain. Wilkie was anus
ing himself with making sketches of the
~ ol1 Mnnriah naeflag and ruiDaN
forts, when they were suddenly surrounded
and arrested as spies, and taken before a lit.
tie village alcalde who in a very fierce and
pompous way demanded who they were.
The Russian ambassador replied that he had
the honor to represent his Majesty the Em-
peror of Russia at the court of Spain. The
outraged functionary burst out in parox-
ysm of rage and invective against this sup
posed attempt to deceive and ridicule him,
which was increased when the French am
bassador made a similar reply. But turning
to Mr.. Irving, who then looked like an Fog
lshman he said, "You, of course, will claim
to represent his Majesty the King of Great
Britain" He sobered down a little when Mr..
Irving replied, No. he merely represented the
United States of America and became still
more thoughtful when Wilkie only claimed
to be one of the court painters to his MaJes-
ty the King of England. At request they
quickly produced documents and cards to
prove their identity, when the worthy little
fellow fell into great terror from the fear that
they would forward complaints against him.
They earnestly assured him that he had only
done his duty toward such suspicious looking
persons as they were that they were mere
| iy travelling for relaxation and pleasure after
their hard duties at Madrid, and that he had
| furnished them with materials for many a
pleasant after-thought They invited him to
dinner, and made so much of him that l feai
the report is true that he was left under the
table by their good cheer.
In my visits TO Sunnyside l generally pre-
| ferred a short walk along the railroad to
| long drive around. Mr.. Irving was often
watching for me at the southern window, Rnc
when passed curve in the road and came
| in sight, he would wave his hand or handker
chief to me, and then generally seemed a
ease He would be so gay and pleasant
the tea table, and quietly take his evening
maps, that very frequently l could only leari
from others how he had been. lie seemed
to think would know all about him by look
ing at him, and would give my directions Il
his faithful niece, while all he had to do wa
| TO take all the doses he was directed to tax
| as docley as the best trained child. ii
never asked for particular information abou
his disorders even about his heart, nor whH
medicine he was taking, or what its efee
would be, but accepted whatever he was told
He never made single impatient or queru
lous remark to me, and almost spoiled m
for the treatment of all troublesome patients
When expressed any special confidence o
hope of benefit from some new prescription
he generally pleasantly wished me a goo
deal of success. He always came down
breakfast neatly shaven and attired, and
often could only judge from his wan fac
and trembling hands that he had had an ur
usually bad night He always put on drei
suit and fresh linen for his three o'clock din
ner, and presided at the head of his tab
with old-time courtesy and geniality. 81
ono time when he attempted to carve II
dish before him, aud found that he could NJ
: even force the fork into the meat, much le
cut with the knife, he rose from the table Vi
oomplainingly, and while the tears wei
, streaming down all our faces, he turn'
; pleasantly looked at long gray shawl whi'