This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 Excerpt: ...he was introduced to some ladies--Mr. Irving's nieces, whom he styled his guardian angels--adding he "supposed that few old bachelors were so fortunate as himself---they were so careful of him." In the spring of 1859, in response to Mr. Irving's kind invitation to meet some of his literary friends, the writer well ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 Excerpt: ...he was introduced to some ladies--Mr. Irving's nieces, whom he styled his guardian angels--adding he "supposed that few old bachelors were so fortunate as himself---they were so careful of him." In the spring of 1859, in response to Mr. Irving's kind invitation to meet some of his literary friends, the writer well remembers the unmingled pleasure of that delightful visit, so unalloyed was the enjoyment alike of host and guests. But little did that joyous company imagine what a sad reverse was so soon to overshadow us, that to most of us it was to prove our last interview with Irving. It was the common remark of his guests that Mr. Irving seemed in unusually good spirits and so exuberant of genial humor, so full of reminiscences of his European travels, and personal anecdotes of his literary friends abroad. Be fore assembling for dinner Mr. Irving escorted us about his beautiful grounds, which his gardener had skilfully laid out so as to combine the picturesque effects of meadow, lawn, ravine, and rivulet, garnished with flowers and festooned with luxuriant foliage. At the table the social intercourse was most cordial, for all seemed to have caught inspiration from the happy host, who kept up an animated narrative of his travels and adventures abroad and the wonders of the Old World. To at-tempt to reproduce them in detail would, however, be doing serious injustice alike to their author and the reader. One or two items must suffice. When in Paris Irving became acquainted with Vanderlyn, who painted the " Landing of Columbus" which now hangs in the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. In Madrid, he said, he enjoyed special privileges, being allowed apartments in the palace of the Alhambra; and while there he produced some of his choicest ...
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