WASHINGTON IRVING

(Before studying the biography of Irving, let us see what we have learned of the man from our study of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

How did Irving look upon life, seriously or smilingly? Did he have much or little sense of humor? Compare him in this respect with Longfellow; with Kingsley; with Ruskin. Was he fond of companionship, or did he prefer being alone? Compare again with the other authors mentioned. Was Irving strong and assertive, or modest and gentle? Compare with Ruskin. Would Irving have worried about missing a train? Which one of the authors mentioned would you have chosen to be your companion on a holiday's outing?)

S THE Revolution was drawing to a close in 1783, a boy was born in the city of New York. Though his father was Scotch and his mother English, both were loyal to the American cause and both were great admirers of Washington. So they named their son for the great soldier and statesman. They little thought that the name of Washington Irving would become almost as famous as that of the great patriot himself.

The boy grew up in New York, learning more perhaps from what he could pick up from men and things than he did from books. He was not very studious, preferring play and recreation to work. As a boy his health was poor, so he was not required to do much. One of his chief delights was to sail up and down the Hudson. Lying on his back on the deck of a sloop, he enjoyed to the full the beauty of the shifting scenes of river and mountains. He grew to love the noble river and years later, through his writings, directed the attention of the world to its charms.

Irving studied law for a time but never liked it. He was in comfortable circumstances and felt no necessity of exerting himself. He liked literature and became a great reader. When he was nineteen one of his brothers started a daily paper in New York. Young Washington was a great lover of

the theater, and he now contributed, under the name of Jonathan Oldstyle, a number of humorous articles dealing with the plays and players of the time.

His health was still poor, so he went to Europe in 1804 hoping that the change would do him good. In later years the captain of the vessel on which Irving sailed for Europe stated that when he saw that pale, sickly young man come aboard he expected a burial at sea. But Irving's hope for better health was realized. After nearly two years spent in wandering over Europe, he returned home well and strong. Besides regaining his strength, he developed a sincere liking for European countries and customs. This early appreciation of other countries as well as his own was to lead later to some of his best productions.

Irving's first notable work, published not long after his return, was entitled "Knickerbocker's History of New York." It was not a history at all, but a comical account of the early Dutch settlers. Though it offended some of the oldest Dutch families of New York, its quaint humor and graceful style soon made it the most popular book that had then been published in America. Notwithstanding this great success Irving did practically nothing during the ten years following its publication. He was fond of society and society was fond of him. His older brothers were successful merchants, and they enjoyed gratifying the desires of their talented and popular brother.

During the time that Irving was writing "Knickerbocker's History of New York," he suffered the greatest sorrow of his. life. He was engaged to marry a beautiful young woman. Her sudden death so shocked and saddened Irving that for some months he wandered here and there unable to devote himself to his work. Irving never married, carrying the memory of his youthful love to his grave. He treated all

women with great courtesy and kindness, and once halfjokingly declared that he was somewhat in love with every charming woman he met.

In 1815 Irving went to Europe to visit his brother. He intended to stay only a short time, but he was gone seventeen years. While in England he made the acquaintance of many literary men, including Scott, Byron, and Dickens. Genial and bright, Irving soon became a favorite with them. All through his life he drew people to him as friends through the sweetness of his disposition. His brothers, meanwhile, had failed in business. Stimulated partly by the necessity of supporting himself and partly by the encouragement of such men as Scott and Dickens, Irving now adopted literature as his calling and set to work in earnest. He soon produced "The Sketch Book," which was greeted with admiration on both sides of the Atlantic. This book owed much of the success it immediately won to "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Long years afterward Longfellow said of "The Sketch Book": "Every reader has his first book; I mean to say, one book among all others which in early youth first fascinates his imagination and at once excites and satisfies the desires of his mind. To me this first book was 'The Sketch Book' of Washington Irving. I was a school boy when it was published and read each succeeding number with ever-increasing wonder and delight. Yet still the charm of 'The Sketch Book' remains unbroken; the old fascination remains about it; and whenever I open its pages I open also that mysterious door which leads back into the haunted chambers of youth."

Irving next went from England to Spain to translate some important Spanish documents concerning Columbus. Becoming interested in the career of Columbus, Irving decided to write his biography. When this book was finished it showed. that Irving possessed not only the wondrous power of the

story-teller but also the sterner virtues of the historian. The "Life of Washington" is his other important historical work. But it should be remembered that Irving's fame rests not so much upon his historical writings as upon his legends and sketches.

During his stay in Spain Irving wrote another famous book, "The Alhambra," so named from the old Moorish palace at Granada. Irving became so familiar with the history, legends, and customs of Spain that several years later he was appointed American minister to that country. This appointment was made through the influence of Daniel Webster, who greatly admired Irving. The appointment came as a great surprise to Irving, and he deeply appreciated the honor.

He spent his four years in Madrid rather quietly, and then came home again in 1846. He settled down on the Hudson in the old Van Tassel mansion so admirably described in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." He named his home "Sunnyside," and it truly was sunny both within and without. Here he spent the last thirteen years of his life, cheerful and happy always. Surrounded by all the comforts one could wish, honored and loved both at home and abroad, the kind-hearted Irving passed away in 1859.

-Leroy E. Armstrong

Questions: Where and when was Washington Irving born? Of what nationality was his father? his mother? Why was the boy named Washington? Why was he not sent to college when he had finished the work in the lower schools? Where did the boy enjoy going for pleasure trips? For what profession did Irving fit himself? How old was Irving when he began writing? Under what name did he write? Why was his first trip to Europe made? Name the first notable book written by Irving. What is the nature of this book? How long was Irving away from home on his second trip to Europe? What well-known book was written by Irving while in England? How was this book received in both England and America? What finally took Irving from England to Spain? What historical work