The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1886-09-02
\ VISIT 10 TARRNTpN
\ Talented Young North Iaroliniau
Nakes a Pii.aaaaage kn Iat M. a.taAr.


Especial Coz. STATE ClisuNGoLEI
Finding myself, one July morning, on
the heights Of Riverside PARK with 10
special plan in view, determined 10 grata-
= wish that had long entertained. Viz.
that of visiting Tarrytown and seeing some
Of the localities that are So sndi~solubly
connected with the name AMI fame of
Washington Irving. Descending al once
the long slope Of the Hudson / took the
tram at the little station of Manhattan,
vile and IN less than al hour Mas nearing
Iarrytown. The road runs within marble
shot OF the river almost the whole way
and thus affords a fine view Of the High
lands OF the Western bank. while those on
the Eastern, rising abruptly from the
track : edge, are completely shut out I
shall not attempt any description Of the
river scenery; so much has already been
written about il that verify believe
should the Hudson ever be demolished hy
some CONFUSION of the earth. the New
Workers would h;' abundant descriptions
lett by which they might easily reconstruct
not only their river, but also It's banks for
At least two Eiles inland on either side
Being on a literary pll. rimage my first in
quiry on arriving At Tarrytown was for
the grave of Washington Irving. | learned
that he was buried i'll Tarrytown cemetery.
which overlooks Sleepy Hollow, and made
my way thitherward with all possible
speed Sleepy Hollow has been little
changed by time. The old Dutch church
embowered III green, still stands as it
stood in Irving's day; it was i'll this church
that lchabOd Crane used to gather himself
together every Sunday and with his band
of chosen singers completely carry away
the palm from the parson.' Away TO the
right sleeps the old mill pond. along the
hon 10. g IL. 1. IL. 1
with whole bevy of damsels, ''while the
more bashful country pumpkins hung
sheepishly back, enyying his superior
elegance and address" In front runs the
little stream at whose baukS our pedago-
que arrived in such hot haste with the
icadless Horseman just behind him. The
bridge over which he had Just convulsiye-
ly kicked old GunpOWder when the goblin's
''horriblc missile" overlook him, is no
longer to be seen; but the oil turnpike
down which he gallopcd can be easily
tracked by its red clay banks. This very
stream forms one of the boundaries Of the
cemetery, and, in stones throw of it, is
lrying's grave. Only two PLAIN slabs
mark the spot; the graves of thirty four
other Irvings lie in the same inclosur.,
but one need not know how TO read To
distinguish the grave of this gifted and
genial htterateur from those around il
Not an edge or corner of the two slabs
has been left intact; relict-hunters have
been busy at their work, and in few
years, if then chipping is not stopped,
even the simple Inscription Of his birth
and death will be eilaced They had car
Tied their vandalism to such an extent
and had so completely Clipped away all
the available parts that began to despair
of obtaining piece and was getting ready
q q " 81 Ia W
small chip gave way. spared the slab;
but these depredations should be stopped
at once. Great numbers, | was told,
come to visit his grave every summer, but
one might infer this from the wel-worn
path that leads straight TO it. None Of
the other graves IN his inclosure seem to
attract any attention, but the grave of his
mother was an object of peculiar interest
to me. She died not long before he com
pleted his Sketch Book and much of the
sadness and sympathy that well up 10 the
surface OF It's pathetic pages is due no
doubt to her DEATH SO fresh in his memory
His beautiful eulosy on the grave was
written. have always thought, with her
grave before him.
Tarrytown has very literary situation;
south of it, about two miles, is Sunny
side, Irving'S home; while north Of it, ut
even q less distance, is Idlewild, the home
of n. p. Willis. 1t is beautiful town in
every respect and over its tranquil soli-
tudes Irving's smile and benediction seem
always to rest. No author, English or
American, ever led q brighter life. The
severe criticism that killed Keats and
maddened Byron never fell to his lot. No
sooner does the Sketch Book appear than
the literary giants Of the day unite in its
praises. Coleridge, Scott, Jeffreys, Camp
bell, Moore, all generously yield the palm
of graceful prose to the polished young
American. God bless him" cxclaims
Byron: He is genus; and he has
something better than genius heart"
His memory is revered by all, and even
the unlettered workman points with pride
to his grave Oh the hillside and rejoices
that a life of such gentleness and purity
is embalmed in the simple inscription,
Born Apr ,, 1898,
Died Nov. 2S, 1853
&. \. SMITH.