New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-03
THEIR PILGRIMAGE.
Columbia Students ViSit the Home
of IrUing, an TGTytO1cn.

The members Of the Columbia University Summer
School made irving pilgrimage on Saturday
afternoon. Washington Irvings home. which looks
with haIf-shut eyes out over the Tappan Zee; his
grave in the cemetery Of the old Dutch Church
Al Tarrytown: Christ Church Tarrytown. in which
he used TO worship all visited. and the after
noon closed with a picnic luncheon on rock IN
the middle Of the Pocantico Brook which bounds
the cemetery its eastern side.
The party numbered about $50. and represented
nearly every State and Territory in the Union.
George : Kellogg, curator of the Educational
Museum Of the Teachers College, was ccerone,
and the first stop Sunnyside the quaint old
home which was built by Washington Irving on the
site Of an old Dutch farmhouse. and is 'as fun Of
angles and corners s old cooked hat" 1t is
now occupied by A. Duer Irving. q nephew OF the
original owner, through whose courtesy the mem
bers Of the school were permitted to
visit H.
At Christ c .-ch some interesting "reminiscences
we're given by a1e venerable rector the Rev. James
selden Spencer who personally acquainted
with Irving
Ny. Irving was man OF great modesty and
humility" said Dr. Spencer ''and difhdent that
It was quite impossible for him to make speech.
He tried 10 90 at dinner that was given in
his honor after his return from SPAIN but be-
came 50 confused that Daniel Webster, who was
Of the many notabilities present SAID: Mr..
Irving sit down We ali know your sentiments
Let take up your cause and address this meet
ing
He OF wonderful tenderness, ana
loved children. They used flock around him as
he left the church hold his hands and stick flowers
In his buttonhole."
why did he never marry asked one Of the lis
teners
We all know why he didn't" answered DR..
Spencer. He was engaged. you remember to Miss
Hoffman, who very lovely girl, and who
died in the flower OF her youth. he always cher
ished her memory. and always kept her Bible and
prsyeTbook with him"
What was his favorte hymnT' was the next
question.
I don't remember LAT he had any special favor
lite" said DR.. Spencer, but he very fond OF
the Gloria in Excesis.' and once said to that
in the words. Glory to God in the highest. and on
earth peace and good viii toward men. all religion
was summed up he was man Of deep religious
''f4e was warden Of the church and passed the
ofTe-tory plate every Sunday until his death which
occurred on Monday. He said this this made him
fee like a highwayInan, saying Your money or
your nfe.' and he once ventured TO suggest at a
vestry meeting that some younger member OF the
Morgan. a nephew Of Governor Morgan. strenI-
ousy OBJECTED. When ne brought people to church
for him 10 say, He will take up the collection in
taking the collection he would be compelled TO rise
n his seat and say There he is; there he is thus
disturbing the whole congregation So Mr.. Irving
made no more objections to being a highwayman."
visitors inspected the Irving memorial tablet and
the organist PLAYED the Gloria in Excelsis.,
At the old Dutch church the sexton, Frank
TocheT also gave some Ien1 9 and assured
very spot that he then occupied. He had talked
with many old residents he said. who could
member the time portrayed in Irving's story, and
they had assured him that Ichabod and the events
IN which he figured were founded fact.
The old bell of the church. which brought
from Holland. and which has been moved
since II first placed in the belfry, rung as
the party left the church and proceeded Irvings
grave.
After worshiPping at this shrine the visitors
went 10 see st. Gaudenss memorial angel, and
after wandering around the beautiful old cemetery
a while they went down TO the brook TO have some
luncheon before taking the train for New-York.
This is the third time that the Irving pilgrimage
has been made by the summer school, and the
party was the largest that ever visited Christ
Church.
On the way from Sunnyside to Tarrytown the
party was driven through the grounds OF Miss
Helen ". Gould.