couraged the public enthusiasm, his tour throughout the United States might have been one continued ovation. Soon after his return to his native land, Mr. IRVING traveled to a considerable extent, especially with a view of ascertaining the chief places of residence of the Aborigines of our country, of becoming acquainted with their customs and manners, and of examining the influence which neighboring civilization had exerted upon them. His subsequent works have been thus greatly enriched, and the pleasure and profit of his thousands of readers have been increased. He now sat down in earnest to his literary engagements, and in 1835 published his "Tour on the Prairies," "Legends of the Conquest of Spain," and "Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey." While these books considerably vary in subject and character, a very cursory examination will show the extreme care, the ceaseless industry, and the fine taste of their author. In the year following was published "Astoria," a work less known than some others of Mr. IRVING'S productions, but full of deep and thrilling interest, and disclosing facts of which no man ought to be ignorant. In 1847 followed "Bonneville's Adventures in the Rocky Mountains," which we have read with great pleasure. And in 1839 appeared his tender and beautiful "Biography of Margaret Davidson." Whether Mr. IRVING was himself fully contented, after so much traveling, to be confined to his own home, or whether he again desired. to roam over the classic mountains and valleys of Europe, we are not informed, but it is certain that in the year 1842 his country needed his services and sent him as minister to the Court of Spain. We need not say how his talents, his learning, his fine taste, and his extensive knowledge of men and things operated to the public advantage during the four years he spent there, or of the joy with which he was received on his return in 1846. Our literary men have often been engaged in this honorable employment, and we believe always with advantage. On his return from Europe, we could not have complained if our author had been disposed to rest after his toils, and resolved to spend his few remaining years in entire repose. But Mr. IRVING's rest is change of employment; and in the lovely mansion and grounds of Sunnyside he sat down to prepare his enchanting volume of "Goldsmith," and the well prepared history of "Mahomet and his Successors." These volumes incontrovertibly prove that the force of his mind has not abated, neither does the fountain of his information or imagery become exhausted. His works, like his character, have always a freshness which enables us to examine them with ever grow ing delight. "Few men," it has been well remarked, "are so identified personally with their literary productions, or have combined with admiration of their genius such a cordial, home-like welcome in the purest affections of their readers. We never become weary with the repetition of his familiar name; no caprice of fashion tempts us to enthrone a new idol in place of the ancient favorite; and even intellectual jealousies shrink back before the soft brilliancy of his reputation." One work more, we are happy to learn that Mr. IRVING, though, alas, on the verge of seventy, has yet in preparation; and the subject is that of all others the one we could wish him to leave prominently before the eyes of his countrymen, as the result of his reading, his observation, his rich acquisitions of wisdom. It is meet that around Washington, the man of the age, the father of his country, the bays of IRVING'S honors should be thrown. It will be no small privilege to our sons and our daughters to have the universal friend of man, presented to their view by the most distinguished writer which our country has produced. While we are anxious to read the book, we are even more desirous that it should have the last touch of beauty which taste can give. What is to last forever should be as perfect as possible. Whenever WASHINGTON IRVING shall leave us, it will, as in the case of George Washington, inflict a pang on every heart. We have already seen that Mr. IRVING, much as he loves the shade, is no recluse. At all proper seasons he has mingled with society, and so has compelled us to admire his personal character, and blend our sympathies in common with his. He has never, sycophant like, courted the applauses of men, but popularity has followed his every movement in life. He has never shown himself the political partizan, but pursued a course which has compelled the admiration of every observer of his conduct. He has always proved himself the well educated gentleman, giving brilliancy to every circle in which he has mingled, but never seeming to feel that he was the sun of the system. His intercourse is always dignified, but he never compels his friends to feel their inferiority. May Heaven long spare him to us, for that will be a dark day when the eclipse of such a luminary shall be announced. The portrait of Mr. IRVING which embellishes the "Gallery," it will be seen, was taken in the prime of his life, and shows intellect blended with dignity and cheerfulness. The lapse of years has added, since he sat to the artist for our likeness, furrows on his brow, and given him other signs of decay, but he yet sustains a reputation of elastic vigor which demonstrates the soundness of its elements, and which shall live forever. Even at the dawn of American literature, he was universally acknowledged to possess those enchantments of style which can only proceed from the hand of a master; his genius still captivates all hearts, and contributes to add polish to the education happily becoming universal among us. The present race of our young men have shown their wisdom in honoring the man who improved the intellect and softened the manners of their fathers; and their children, for generations yet to come, will joyfully concede his ascendency over them. This enduring popularity could not spring from merely accidental causes, but proceeds from qualities which ensure a permanent fame. "If a foretaste of literary immortality is desirable on earth, we may congratulate Mr. IRVING on the possession of one of its most significant symbols, in the unfading brilliancy of his reputation for little less than half a century." 12 |