New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1898-11-19
WITH IRVING IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY


The following paper was prepared f,
one OF the classes in American Literat,II
at the New iberia Summer Normal al.-Ep.
Louisiana School Review
Like Bayard Taylor, Irving wa
permitted the rare privilege o
realizing his early day -dreams-o
visiting 1.-THE lands of story an,
song aud embalming his impress
siOns in some of the choicest pros
our literature contains. His ex
qulslte delicacy Of perception, hi,
keen yet sympathetic analysis o.
men and matters, his responsive
ness to surrounding and association
may be seen in all his writings
those rich legacies left us in lier
OF children. But, perhaps thes,
charming characteristics are no.
where better seen than in that cas-.
ket of jewels, "The Sketch Book"
and in none of its gems more beau
tifully than in the familiar descrip
ton of his memorable "Evening in
Westminster Abbey"
The very season selected seems
singularly significant late autumn,
with its indefinable sadness and
subtle suggestion of decay.
With rare skill, Irving prepares
the reader for the majestic diIapi-
dation of the vast structure. bv
slowly inducting him through
the gloomy monastic corridors.
grooved by feet that have been
dust for centuries. This trans
ports him almost unconsciously in
to the past, and places him in
proper mental attitude to enter the
silent presence of the great men
"who filled history with their
deeds, and tho earth with their re-
nOwn.'
Irving notices that the architect
ural beauties of the place-the deli
cate traceries Of the arches, the
roses on the keystones-have been
and mellowed by time,
just rs certain natures have their
sharp angles softened by grief. He
reproduces the grand old pile in all
It's "mournful magnificence,' so
vividly that we seem to see each
portion in the order mentioned,
and recognize the truth of the re-
mark that "He who cannot travel,
should read Irving The run
ming commentary is very pleasing
md instructive, without being in the
east verbose or vague. It's charm
ng naturalness endears it to us.
md ever and anon we catch heeting
,limpses of the philosopher be-
leath the casual tourist. Irving's ,
observations on the vanity Of hu-
nan greatness, are rendered spc- t
tally impressive by the object les
ons he cites. Kings, queens,
nights, statesmen, and soldiers, ,
ii lie reiterated homilies y
N the emptiness of renown and l
be certainty of oblivion
His tribute to the Poets Corner
hows deep feeling and fine dis
rimination. He fully appreci- |
tes the sentiments that swayed '
he swelling hearts that now re- c
ose in stiffness there in the sacred : :
imness Of the grand old Abbey. +
When POesy touches soul with I
er clarifying wand, his chief con r
ern henceforth is to hold himself
eceptive to the inspiring ideals re-
ealed; and in proportion as he @
ncceeds in doing this, he achieves '
ne only immortality worthy the o
anne. For, while warriors and e
5atesmen are idolized fora season, .
ley are soon supplanted by later
eroes; but the authors thoughts,
in the clear amber of
ruth, command the loving admi-
'tion, not only of the myriads of
esterday and To-day, but also of
le unborn millions of To- morrow.