Voyage to Europe.

Admitted to the bar.

First number of Salmagundi published.

A History of New York by Diedrich Knicker bocker.

Second voyage to Europe.

1859, Nov. 28. Died at Sunnyside, near Tarrytown, New

York.

We have seen that Charles Brockden Brown was the first American who depended solely upon his pen for a living. When he, as a slender youth of twelve, was taking long rambles on the outskirts of his native city of Philadelphia, dreaming of what his life might be, a child was born in the neighboring city of New York whose fame as a writer was to be established over two continents, and whose labors with the pen were to reap bountiful results. It is to Washington Irving that we turn with a feeling of pleasure, for here is a man whose whole aim in life was to please.

Parentage and Youth. William Irving, the father of Washington, was born in one of the Orkney Islands, and could trace his ancestry back to William De Irwin, the armor-bearer of Robert Bruce. He was a stern Presbyterian, of whom his children stood somewhat in awe. The mother, Sarah, was of a more cheerful and impulsive nature, and was always cherished with the fondest love by her son, Washington, who

inherited from her his sunny smile and jovial disposition.

General Washington and his army entered New York City in 1783, after its evacuation by the British troops, just at the time of the child's birth, and the parents, who were stanch patriots during the war, joyfully named their son Washington. An interesting story is told of young Irving's Scotch nurse, who followed President Washington into a shop one day, a few years later, leading her charge by the hand, and said, "Please, your honor, here's a bairn was named after you." Washington placed his hand on the boy's head and blessed him, little dreaming that their names would be handed down in history together,Washington, and his biographer, Washington Irving.

Education. At the early age of four, Irving was sent to a dame's school, where he was taught his letters, and afterwards his education was continued under private instruction until he was fitted for college. Irving was not a natural student. His dislike for the drudgery of school work and his feeble health were sufficient reasons for his not going to Columbia, where his older brothers had gone, but he entered a law office and began the study of law, for which he had little aptitude. He was later admitted to the bar, but the work was so distasteful to him that he never practiced.

Two Trips to Ogdensburg. When Irving was eighteen, he entered the law office of Josiah Hoffman as clerk. By his cheerful manner and winning ways he won the hearts not only of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, but of their charming daughter, Matilda. In 1803, in company with them and some other friends, he made a trip to Ogdensburg, New York, which was full of thrilling experiences to the youthful traveler. Just fifty years later he made a second visit to the same place, and of this experience he writes thus:

"I sat for a long time on the rocks, summoning recollections of bygone days, and of the happy beings by whom I was then surrounded; all had passed away —all were dead and gone; of that young and joyous party I was the sole survivor; they had all lived quietly at home out of the reach of mischance, yet had gone down to their graves; while I, who had been wandering about the world, exposed to all hazards by sea and land, was yet alive. It seemed almost marvelous. I have often, in my shifting about the world, come upon the traces of former existence; but I do not think anything has made a stronger impression on me than this second visit to the banks of the Oswegatchie."

First Voyage to Europe. As Irving's health at this time was in a precarious condition, his brothers decided to give him the benefit of a sea voyage, and on May 19, 1804, he set sail for Bordeaux.

This trip proved very beneficial to him, although, when he went on board, he was so ill that his family feared that he might not survive the voyage. He had just passed his twenty-first birthday, and he entered into the experiences of his tour through Europe with the boyish zest which clung to him for many a year. At Nice he was taken for an English spy and detained for some weeks, and on his way from Genoa to Messina his vessel was boarded by pirates. After visiting several cities in Sicily, he went to Rome, where he met his fellow-countryman, Washington Allston, through whose influence he was almost induced to remain at Rome and adopt painting as his profession. But the Eternal City did not prove so enchanting to him as to most travelers, and, after a brief stay, much to his brothers' regret, he set out for Paris, where for four months he enjoyed himself hugely. He took especial delight in attending the opera, of which he was always very fond. From Paris he went to London, where he had the good fortune to see the famous actress, Mrs. Siddons. In January, 1806, he set sail for New York, which he reached after a stormy voyage of sixty-four days.

First Literary Ventures. When Irving was a youth of nineteen, he had contributed some articles, under the name of Jonathan Oldstyle, to the Morning Chronicle, which was owned by his