Year: 1859

Original and Interesting AnecdOLe OF


Washington IrVings


The sad intelligence of the death of the most
hOnOred of American authors was announced in
this city on Tuesday morning, consequently, too
late to give us opportunity TO make even brief
notice of our sorrowful regret The anecdOte we
give below, which may be relied upon as authentic
under the peculiar circumstances of its present
appearance, will be read with unusual interest as
it illustrates, in a remarkable manner Washington
Irvings love of sOclability and his exceeding mod
esty with regard to his reputation


friend of ours, who occupies lOrdly mansion
in Twenty-ninth street, near Fifth avenue, was
Ehilom contractor for building that section of the
Croton Aqqedqct which passed through Tarrytown.
Soon after he erected rude building for the recep-
tion Of the tools and the wOrkmen, and to afford
himself temporary shelter while engaged in his
responsible duties an old gentleman plainly dressed
and of exceeding unpretending manners, presented
himself one day and commenced conversation With
our friend. great many questions asked
naturally suggested by the then new enterprise of
supplying New York city with water and after a
visit of an hour so the old gentleman quietly de-
parted A few days afterwards. accompanied by
two ladies', he again visited the headquarters of
our friend, and entered into more detailed cOnver
satiOn, seemingly intent upon finding out all that
was to be learned about the proposed aqueduct
These visits finally became a regular affair, and
were continued twice week, for period Of sOmf
sI months The opnYersrti9ns were always confined
TO local subjects, and not remark escaped from the
lips of the visitor which calculated to inspire
curiosity, or suggest that he was other than some
plain gnod-natured person, with plenty of time in
his hands, who desired to while away an hour OF
two in commonplace cEitchat,


In The course of time our friend finished his labOrs
at TarrytOwn but occasionally met his old friend on
the little steamers that served TO connect sub
urbs with the heart of the city. One day. while
travelling along the Hudson, and busily engaged in
conversation with the old gentleman, the steamer
suddenly commenced pealing its bell and made such
a racket that friend left his place and hunting
up the Captain asked him what all that noise was
abeut!"


"WhY," replied that fqnetiaAaHE, We are oppo
site to Sunny Side and having Washington Irving
on board, by this alarm his servants viii be able Il
meet him at his landing with a carriage"


Our friend, in great enthusiasm exclaimed, "Wash
ington Irving! he on board why. point him out tC
me there is no man living whom would more like
to see'


At this demonstration, the Captain looked quite
surprised, and remarked ''Why, sir you Just left
Washington Irving's company, and from the number
of times have seen you in familiar conversation
with him on this boat supposed you were one Of
his most intimate friends


The astonishment of our friend NAV be family
imagined when he discovered that for more thar
half year, twice week he had had long conver
satiOns with Washington Irving, person with whom
more than any man living, he desired personal in
PRODUCTION" ~. 7. Spirit Of the Times.