from the world with hope far more than Minister to Spain from 1842 until 1846, with apprehension, and compelled the when he retired to his beautiful countryChurch to cling to her Master's cross alone seat of Wolfert's Roost (Sunnyside), on the for comfort and for succour.

Iludson, purchased by him some years beStill, however, it is most wonderful, yea, fore, and resided there until his death, Nov. rather by this very consideration is our won- 28, 1859. der increased at the circumstance, that in Works and Life, New York, G. P. Putany or every age of Christianity, such in- nam's Sons, 1851–57, and later, 26 vols. ducements and such menaces as the religion 16mo: vol. i., Bracebridge Hall; ii., Wolof Christ displays, should be regarded with fert's Roost ; iii., Sketch Book; iv., Tales of so much indifference, and postponed for ob- a Traveller; v., Knickerbocker's IIistory of jects so trifling and comparatively worthless. New York ; 'vi.,

The Crayon Miscellany : vi., If there were no other difference but that of Life of Oliver Goldsmith; viii., The Ålhamduration between the happiness of the pres- bra; ix., 8., xi., Columbus and his Companent life and of the life which is to follow, or ions; xii., Astoria ; xiii., Captain Bonneville's though it were allowed us to believe that Adventures ; xiv., xv., Mahomet and his Sucthe enjoyments of earth were, in every other cessors; xvi., The Conquest of Granada ; xvii., respect, the greater and more desirable of the Salmagundi; xviii., Spanish Papers ; xix., two, this single consideration of its eternity xx., xxi., xxii., xxiii., Life of George Washwould prove the wisdom of making heaven ington (also published in 5 vols. 4to, 1855the object of our more earnest care and con- 57, with illustrations, 5 vols. 8vo, 1855–59, 4 cern ; of retaining its image constantly in vols. 8vo, 1855–57, 2 vols. 8vo, and Abridged, our minds; of applying ourselves with a | 1 vol. large 12mo); xxiv., xxv., xxvi., Life more excellent zeal to everything which can and Letters, by Pierre M. Irving (abridged help us in its attainment, and of esteeming from the original edition in 4 vols. 12mo, all things as less than worthless which are 1862–64). set in comparison with its claims, or which Messrs. Putnam published: I. The Riverstand in the way of its purchase. Accord- side Edition, 26 vols. 16mo ; II. The People's ingly, this is the motive which St. Paul as- Edition, 26 vols. 16mo; III. The Knickersigns for a contempt of the sufferings and bocker Edition, 27 vols. large 12mo; IV. pleasures, the hopes and fears, of the life Sunnyside Edition, 28 vols. 12mo; Lighter which now is, in comparison with the pleas- Works, 8 vols. 16mo. H. G. Bohn, of Lonures and sufferings, the fears and hopes, don, publishes an edition of Irving's Works which are in another life, held out to each (including Theodore Irving's Conquest of of us. And it is a reason which must carry Florida by Hernando de Soto), in 10 vols. great weight to the mind of every reason- p. 8vo. To either edition of Irving's Works able being, inasmuch as any thing which should be added : 1. Irving Vignettes: Vignmay

end soon, and must end some time or ette Illustrations of the Writings of Washother, is, supposing all other circumstances ington Irving, Engraved on Steel by Smillie, equal, or even allowing to the temporal good Hall, and others; with a Sketch of bis Life a very large preponderance of pleasure, of and Works, from Allibone's forthcoming exceedingly less value than that which, once “Dictionary of Authors," and Passages attained, is alike safe from accident and de- from the Works Illustrated, New York, G. cay, the enjoyment of which is neither to be P. Putnam, 1857, sq. 12mo, pp. 287 ; II. checked by insecurity, nor palled by long pos- Irving Memorial: A Discourse on the Life, session, but which must continue thenceforth Character, and Genius of Washington Irin everlasting and incorruptible blessedness, ving, delivered before the New York Hisas surely as God Ilimself is incorruptible torical Society, at the Academy of Music in and everlasting.

New York, on the 3d of April, 1860, by Sermons Preached at Lincoln's Inn, 1823. William Cullen Bryant, New York, G. P.

Putnam, 1860, sq. 12mo, pp: 70;. pp. 71113, Massachusetts Iistorical Society; ap

pendix, pp. 7–63, Allibone's Sketch of IrWASHINGTON IRVING, LL.D.,

ving.

“ The candour with which the English bare born April 23, 1783, in William Street, he recognized Mr. Irving's literary merits is equally tween John and Fulton Streets, in the city honourable to both parties, while his genius has of New York, after a two years' (1804–1806) experienced a still more unequivocal homage in residence in Italy, Switzerland, France, Eng. the countless imitations to which he has given land, etc., returned to New York, and was

rise ; imitations whose uniform failure, notwithadmitted to the New York bar ; again sailed standing all the appliances of accomplishment

and talent, prove their model to be inimitable."for Europe in 1815, and remained abroad William H. PRESCOTT: N. Amer. Rev., 35: 192, until 1832 ; lived in Madrid as United States | July, 1832.

a

." Other writers may no doubt arise in the course ing ducks, assembled like boon companions of time, who will exhibit in verse or prose a more commanding talent, and soar a still loftier flight over their liquor.

round a puddle, and making a riotous noise in the empyrean sky of glory. Some western Homer, Shakspeare, Milton, Corneille, or Calde

I sauntered to the window, and stood ron, may irradiate our literary world with a flood gazing at the people picking their way to of splendour that shall throw all other gre ness church, with petticoats hoisted mid-leg high, into the shade. This, or something like it, may and dripping umbrellas. The bells ceased or may not happen; but, even if it should, it can to toll, and the streets became silent. I then never be disputed that the mild and beautiful amused myself with watching the daughters genius of Mr. Irving was the Morning Star that of a tradesman opposite, who, being confined led up the march of our heavenly host; and that he has a fair right, much fairer certainly than the

to the house for fear of wetting their Sungreat Mantuan, to assume the proud device, Primus day finery, played off their charins at the ego in patriam.”-ALEXANDER H. Everett: N. front windows, to fascinate the chance tenAmer. Rev., 28 : 110, Jan. 1829.

ants of the inn. They at length were sum

moned away by a vigilant vinegar-faced A Rainy SUNDAY IN AN Inn.

mother, and I had nothing further without

to amuse me. It was a rainy Sunday in the gloomy The day continued lowering and gloomy ; month of November. I had been detained the slovenly, ragged, spongy clouds drifted in the course of a journey by a slight in- heavily along; there was no variety even in disposition, from which I was recovering; the rain; it was one dull, continued, mobut I was still feverish, and was obliged to notonous patter, patter, patter, excepting keep within doors all day, in an inn of the that now and then I was enlivened by the small town of Derby. A wet Sunday in a idea of a brisk shower, from the rattling of country inn! whoever has had the luck to the drops upon a passing umbrella. It was experience one, can alone judge of my situ- quite refreshing (if I may be allowed a ation. The rain pattered against the case- hackneyed phrase of the day) when in the ments, the bells tolled for church with a course of the morning a horn blew, and a melancholy sound. I went to the windows stage-coach whirled through the street with in quest of something to amuse the eye, but outside passengers stuck all over it, cowerit seemed as if I had been placed completely ing under cotton umbrellas, and seethed toout of the reach of all amusement. The gether, and reeking with the steams of wet windows of my bed-room looked out among box-coats and upper Benjamins. The sound tiled roofs and stacks of chimneys, while brought out from their lurking-places a crew those of my sitting-room commanded a full of vagabond boys and vagabond dogs, and view of the stable-yard. I know of nothing the carroty-headed hostler, and that nondemore calculated to make a man sick of this script animal yclept Boots, and all the other world than a stable-yard on a rainy day. vagabond race that infest the purlieus of an The place was littered with wet straw that inn; but the bustle was transient: the coach had been kicked about by travellers and again whirled on its way; and boy and dog, stable-boys. In one corner was a stagnant and hostler and Boots, all slunk back again pool of water surrounding an island of to their holes ; the street again became simuck; there were several half-drowned lent, and the rain continued to rain on. fowls crowded together under a cart, among

The evening gradually wore away. The which was a miserable crest-fallen cock, travellers read the papers two or three times drenched out of all life and spirit, his droop- over. Somedrew round the fire, and told long ing tail matted, as it were, into a single stories about their horses, about their advenfeather, along which the water trickled tures, their overturns and breakings-down. from his back ; near the cart was a half- | They discussed the credits of different merdozing cow, chewing the cud, and standing chants and different inns, and the two ways patiently to be rained on, with wreaths of told several choice anecdotes of pretty chamvapour rising from her reeking hide ; a wall. bermaids and kind landladies. All this eyed horse, tired of the loneliness of the passed as they were quietly taking what stable, was poking his spectral head out of they called their nightcaps ; that is to say, a window, with the rain dripping on it from strong glasses of brandy and water or sugar, the caves; an unhappy cur, chained to a or some other mixture of the kind; after dog-house hard by, uttered something every which they one after another rang for Boots now and then between a bark and a yelp; and the chambermaid, and walked off to bed a drab of a kitchen wench tramped back in old shoes cut down into marvellously unwards and forwards through the yards in comfortable slippers. There was only one pattens, looking as sulky as the weather man left.—a short-legged, long-bodied pleitself; everything, in short, was comfortless thoric fellow, with a very large sandy head. and forlorn, excepting a crew of hard-drink- / Ile sat hy himself with a glass of port wine

negus and a spoon, sipping and stirring, and at a rapid rate, the Pinta keeping the lead, meditating and sipping, until nothing was from her superior sailing, The greatest left but the spoon. Ile gradually fell asleep animation prevailed throughout the ships; bolt upright in his chair, with the empty glass not an eye was closed that night. As the standing before him; and the candle seemed evening darkened, Columbus took his station to fall asleep too, for the wick grew long and on the top of the castle or cabin on the high black, and cabbaged at the end, and dimmed poop of his vessel, ranging his eye along the the little light that remained in the chamber. dusky horizon, and maintaining an intense The gloom that now prevailed was conta- and unremitting watch. About ten o'clock gious. Around hung the shapeless and he thought he beheld a light glimmering at almost spectral box-coats of departed travel- a great distance. Fearing his eager hopes lers, long since buried in deep sleep. I only might deceive him, he called to Pedro Gutierheard the ticking of the clock, with the rez, gentleman of the king's bed-chamber, deep-drawn breathings of the sleeping toper, and inquired whether he saw such a light; and the drippings of the rain-drop, drop, the latter replied in the affirmative. Doubtdrop-from the eaves of the house.

ful whether it might not yet be some deluBracebridge Hall.

sion of the fancy, Columbus called Rodrigo

Sanchez of Segovia, and made the same inThe First VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS. quiry. By the time the latter had ascended

the round-house, the light had disappeared. Columbus was now at open defiance with They saw it once or twice afterwards in his crew, and his situation became desperate. sudden and passing gleams; as if it were a Fortunately, the manifestations of the vi- torch in the bark of a fisherman, rising and cinity of land were such on the following sinking with the wares; or in the hand of day as no longer to admit a doubt. Beside

some person on shore, borne up and down a quantity of fresh weeds, such as grow in as he walked from house to house. So tranrivers, they saw a green fish of a kind which sient and uncertain were these gleams that keeps about rocks; then a branch of thorn few attached any importance to them; Cowith berries on it, and recently separated lumbus, however, considered them as certain from the tree, floated by them; then they signs of land, and, moreover, that the land picked up a reed, a small board, and, above was inhabited. all, a staff artificially carved. All gloom They continued their course until two in and mutiny now gave way to sanguine ex- the morning, when a gun from the Pinta pectation ; and throughout the day each one gave the joyful signal of land. It was first was eagerly on the watch, in hopes of being descried by a mariner named Rodrigo de the first to discover the long-sought-for land. Triana ; but the reward was afterwards

In the evening, when, according to invari- adjudged to the admiral, for having previable custom on board of the admiral's ship, ously perceived the light. The land was the mariners had sung the salve regina, or now clearly seen about two leagues distant, vesper hymn to the Virgin, he made an im- whereupon they took in sail, and laid to, pressive address to his crew. He pointed out waiting impatiently for the dawn. the goodness of God in thus conducting them The thoughts and feelings of Columbus by soft and favouring breezes across a tran- in this little space of time must have been quil ocean, cheering their hopes continually tumultuous and intense. At length, in spite with fresh signs, increasing as their fears of every difficulty and danger, he had acaugmented, and thus leading and guiding complished his ohject

. The great mystery of them to a promised land. He now reminded the ocean was revealed; his theory, which them of the orders he had given on board had been the scoff of sages, was triumphthe Canaries, that, after sailing westward | antly established; he had secured to him seven hundred leagues, they should not self a glory durable as the world itself. make sail after midnight. Present appear- It is difficult to conceive the feelings of ances authorized such a precaution. Ile such a man, at such a moment; or the conthought it probable they would make landjectures which must have thronged upon that very night; be ordered, the re, a his mind, as to the land before him, covered vigilant look-out to be kept from the fore- with darkness. That it was fruitful, was castle, promising to whomsoever should evident from the vegetables which floated make the discovery a doublet of velvet, in from its shores. He thought, too, that he addition to the pension to be given by the perceived the fragrance of aromatic groves. sovereigns.

The moving light he had beheld proved it The breeze had been fresh all day, with the residence of man. But what were its inmore sea than usual, and they had made great habitants ? Were they like those of the other progress. At sunset they had stond again parts of the globe; or were they some strange to the west, and were ploughing the wares and monstrous race, such as the imagination was prone in those times to give to all began a furious barking. IIis alarm brought remote and unknown regions? Ilad he come out the whole garrison of dogs : upon some wild island far in the Indian sea;

“Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, or was this the famed Cipango itself, the And curs of low degree ;" object of his golden fancies ? A thousand all open-mouthed and vociferous.— I should speculations of the kind must have swarmed

correct my quotation ;-not a cur was to be upon him, as, with his anxious crews, he

seen on the premises: Scott was too true a waited for the night to pass away; wondering whether the morning light would reveal sportsman, and had too high a veneration

for pure blood, to tolerate a mongrel. a savage wilderness, or dawn upon spicy

In a little while the “lord of the castle" groves, and glittering fanes, and gilded cities, himself made his appearance. I knew him at and all the splendour of oriental civiliza

once by the descriptions I had read and heard, tion. Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, of him. He was tall, and of a large and pow

and the likenesses that had been published Book iii. Chap. 4.

erful frame. His dress was simple, and al

most rustic. An old, green shooting-coat, IRVING AT ABBOTSFORD.

with a dog whistle at the button-hole, brown

linen pantaloons, stout shoes that tied at the Late in the evening of the 29th of August, ankles, and a white hat that had evidently 1817, I arrived at the ancient little border

seen service. He came limping up the gravel town of Selkirk, where I put up for the walk, aiding himself by a stout walkingnight. I had come down from Edinburgh, staff, but moving rapidly and with vigour. partly to visit Melrose Abbey and its vicin. By his side jogged along a large iron-gray ity, but chiefly to get a sight of the mighty staghound of most grave demeanour, who minstrel of the north." I had a letter of took no part in the clamour of the canine introduction to him from Thomas Campbell rabble, but seemed to consider himself bound, the poet, and had reason to think, from the for the dignity of the house, to give me a interest he had taken in some of my earlier courteous reception. scribblings, that a visit from me would not

Before Scott had reached the gate he be deemed an intrusion.

called out in a hearty tone, welcoming me On the following morning, after an early to Abbotsford, and asking news of Campbreakfast, I set off in a post-chaise for the bell. Arrived at the door of the chaise, he Abbey. On the way thither I stopped at grasped me warmly by the hand : Come, the gate of Abbotsford, and sent the postil-drive down, drive down to the house," said lion to the house with the letter of introduc-he; "ye're just in time for breakfast, and tion and my card, on which I had written afterwards ye shall see all the wonders of that I was on my way to the ruins of Mel- the Abbey.ii rose Abbey, and wished to know whether it

I would have excused myself, on the plea would be agreeable to Mr. Scott (he had not of having already made

my breakfast. yet been made a Baronet) to receive a visit “ Hout, man," cried he, “a ride in the from me in the course of the morning.

morning in the keen air of the Scotch hills While the postillion was on his errand, I is warrant enough for a second breakfast.”' had time to survey the mansion. It stood

I was accordingly whirled to the portal some short distance below the road, on the of the cottage, and in a few moments found side of a hill sweeping down to the Tweed; myself seated at the breakfast-table. There and was as yet but a snug gentleman's cot

was no one present but the family, which tage, with something rural and picturesque consisted of Mrs. Scott, her eldest daughter in its appearance. The whole front was Sophia, then a fine girl about seventeen, overrun with evergreens, and immediately Miss Ann Scott, two or three years younger, below the portal was a great pair of elk Walter, a well-grown stripling, and Charles, horns branching out from beneath the foli

a lively boy, eleven or twelve years of age. age, and giving the cottage the look of a I soon felt myself quite at home, and iny hunting-lodge. The huge baronial pile, to heart in a glow with the cordial welcome I which this modest mansion in a manner experienced. I had thought to make a mere gave birth, was just emerging into exist-morning visit, but found I was not to be let ence: part of the walls, surrounded by off so lightly. scaffolding, already had risen to the heiglit

“You must not think our neighbourhood of the cottage, and the court-yard in front is to be read in a morning, like a newswas encumbered by masses of hewn stone.

paper,''

,” said Scott. " It takes several days The noise of the chaise had disturbed the of study for an observant traveller that has quiet of the establishment. Out sallied the

a relish” for auld world trumpery. After warder of the castle, a black greyhound, breakfast you shall make your visit to Meland, leaping on one of the blocks of stone,

rose Abbey; I shall not be able to accom

pany you, as I have some household affairs tered, and colourless details of what was so to attend to, but I will put you in charge of copious, rich, and varied. During several my son Charles, who is very learned in all days that I passed there Scott was in admithings touching the old ruin and the neigh-rable vein. 'From early morn until dinnerbourhood it stands in, and he and my friend time he was rambling about, showing me Johnny Bower will tell you the whole truth the neighbourhood, and during dinner, and about it, with a good deal more that you are until late at night, engaged in social convernot called upon to believe, unless you be a sation. No time was reserved for himself; true and nothing doubting antiquary. When he seemed as if his only occupation was to you come back I'll take you out on a ramble entertain me; and yet I was almost an enabout the neighbourhood. To-morrow we tire stranger to him, one of whom he knew will take a look at the Yarrow, and the next nothing but an idle book I had written, and day we will drive over to Dryburgh Abbey, which some years before had amused him. which is a fine old ruin well worth your But such was Scott; he appeared to have seeing"-in a word, before Scott had got nothing to do but lavish his time, attention, through with his plan, I found myself com- and conversation on those around. It was mitted for a visit of several days, and it difficult to imagine what time he found to seeined as if a little realm of romance was write those volumes that were incessantly suddenly opened before me.

issuing from the press; all of which, too, On the following morning the sun darted were of a nature to require reading and rehis beams from over the hills through the search. I could not find that his life was low lattice window. I rose at an early ever otherwise than a life of leisure and haphour, and looked out between the branches hazard recreation, such as it was during my of eglantine which overhung the casement. visit. He scarce ever balked a party of To my surprise, Scott was already up and pleasure, or a sporting excursion, and rarely forth, seated on a fragment of stone, and pleaded his own concerns as an excuse for chatting with the workmen employed on the rejecting those of others. During my visit new building. I had supposed, after the I heard of other visitors who had preceded time he had wasted on me yesterday, he me, and who must have kept him occupied would be closely occupied this morning, but for many days, and I have had an opportuhe appeared like a man of leisure, who had nity of knowing the course of his daily life nothing to do but bask in the sunshine and for some time subsequently. Not long after amuse himself.

my departure from Abbotsford, my friend I soon dressed myself and joined him. Wilkie arrived there, to paint a picture of IIe talked about his proposed plans of Ab- the Scott family. Ile found the house full botsford: happy would it have been for him of guests. Scott's whole time was taken up could he have contented himself with his in riding and driving about the country, or delightful little vine-covered cottage, and in social conversation at home. “All this the simple yet hearty and hospitable style, time,” said Wilkie to me, “I did not prein which he lived at the time of my visit. sume to ask Mr. Scott to sit for his portrait, The great pile of Abbotsford, with the huge for I saw he had not a moment to spare; I expense it entailed upon him of servants, waited for the guests to go away, but as retainers, guests, and baronial style, was a fast as one went another arrived, and so it drain upon his purse, a tax upon his exer- continued for several days, and with each tions, and a weight upon his mind that set he was completely occupied. At length finally crushed hiin.

all went off, and we were quiet. I thought, As yet, however, all was in embryo and however, Mr. Scott will now shut himself perspective, and Scott pleased himself with up among his books and papers, for he has picturing out his future residence as he to make up for lost time; it won't do for me would one of the fanciful creations of his to ask him now to sit for his picture. Laid

“It was one of his air cas-law, who managed his estate, came in, and tles," he said, "which he was reducing to Scott turned to him, as I supposed, to consolid stone and mortar.” About the place sult about business. Laidlaw, said he, “towere strewed various morsels from the ruins morrow morning we'll go across the water of Melrose Abbey, which were to be incor- and take the dogs with us; there's a place porated in his mansion. IIe had constructed where I think we shall be able to find a out of similar materials a kind of Gothic hare!' In short," added Wilkie, “ I found shrine over a spring, and had surmounted that, instead of business, he was thinking it by a small stone cross. ...

only of amusement, as if he had nothing in I have thus given, in a rude style, my the world to occupy him; so I no longer main recollections of what occurred during feared to intrude upon him." my sojourn at Abbotsford, and I feel morti- The conversation of Scott was frank, fied that I can give but such meagre, scat- hearty, picturesque, and dramatic. During

own romances.

6