earth, they would not hesitate to run a railway through it."

But when the Committee, whose duty it was to arrange with owners of property for the terms of compensation, waited upon him, he submitted at once, stating that, since the damage was such as could not be compensated by a money payment, he left it entirely with themselves to determine the amount of their award, at the same time, giving them liberty to commence at once.

The Committee, in a letter dated April 4th, 1848, allude to the liberal and courteous spirit in which he met them at the commencement, and displayed during the formation of the line, had been quite a solace to them amidst the many cases of a contrary character which they had experienced.

The award of the Committee was 3500 dollars, on the receipt of the first payment of which, Irving remarked, "Why, I am harder on them, than the waggoner was on Giles Gingerbread; for he let him walk all the way to London alongside his waggon without charging him anything, while I make them pay for only passing my door."

When Irving had just completed correcting the proofs of the first volume of "The Life of Washington,' which was published early in 1855, he was thrown violently from his horse, when about a hundred yards from his own door. Fortunately no bones were broken, but his head was much bruised, and his chest severely wrenched by the violence of the fall, so that

for some days he could not even turn in bed without assistance. His humour did not, however, desert him, and to his physician's inquiry how he felt, he replied, "I feel as if an attempt had been made to force my head down into my chest as you shut up a spy-glass." The second volume of "The Life of Washington," was issued in December, 1855, and was followed, in July, 1856, by the third volume, during the preparation of which the author was perplexed with the idea that something would happen to prevent him finishing the work, which he had originally intended to complete in three volumes; but the subject grew upon him, and the manner in which he was sustained by the public, cheered him on. In a letter to his friend, Mr. H. T. Tuckerman, written just after the publication of the second volume, he states, "I aimed at the careful avoidance of rhetoric, the calm, patient, and faithful narrative of facts."-"I have availed myself of the license of biography to step down occasionally from the elevated walk of history, and relate familiar things, in a familiar way, seeking to show the prevalent passions and feelings and humours of the day, and even to depict the heroes of '76, as they really were; men in cocked hats, regimental coats, and breeches, and not classic warriors in shining armour and flowing mantles, with brows bound with laurel and truncheons in their hands." The fourth volume was published in May, 1857, a calamitous year for traders, and Irving found it necessary to make a settlement with Mr. Putnam, his pub

lisher. Their connection, thus far, had been most advantageous to both, but other enterprises swept from the upright and liberal publisher the profits realized from the sale of Irving's works. On sending a statement of his sales and receipts from July, 1848, when he made his first agreement for the publication of a new edition of all Irving's previously published works, to December, 1857; it appeared there had been three hundred and fifty thousand volumes sold, realizing a profit of eighty thousand dollars. Mr. Putnam made a full settlement of their business to this time-Irving receiving what was equivalent to twenty-five thousand dollars, and purchasing from him the stereotype plates of all his works-Mr. Putnam acting henceforth in the capacity of his agent. The infirmities attending advanced age were now creeping upon Irving, and early in 1858, his hearing failed, and he was anxiously endeavouring to rid himself of an obstinate catarrh which had been for some time very troublesome. In March, and April, he was better, and passed his seventy-fifth birthday very pleasantly in the midst of his family circle at Sunnyside, which had now become the rallying place of the family, some of his nieces being always inmates. As the year advanced, his cough became more troublesome again, and interfered sadly with his rest at nights. To an inquiry of one of his nieces, how he had rested the previous night, he replied: "So, 80; I am apt to be rather fatigued by my night's rest." From this period he gradually declined,

but with the assistance of his nephew and biographer, Pierre E. Irving, and working at intervals as his strength permitted, he was enabled to complete the fifth volume of "The Life of Washington," on the eve of his seventy-sixth birthday, and from this time his literary work ceased. Occasionally, he wrote to his friends, and his letters are most delightfully written, with a geniality entirely his own. Restless nights, and a nervous dread of inability to sleep, too often realized, marked the closing of his career. On the 27th November, 1859, he attended church for the last time. On the following day he took a short walk, retired for the night at half-past ten, his niece accompanying him to his room to arrange his medicines and place them within easy reach. "Well," he exclaimed, "I must arrange my pillows for another weary night," and then as it half to himself, "When will this end ?" or something like it, when he suddenly uttered a slight exclamation as if from pain, pressed his hand to his left side, attempted to support himself by the bedstead, failed to grasp it, fell backward to the floor, and-he was dead! On the following morning, when intelligence of his decease had reached his native city, the flags on the shipping and all the public offices were hoisted half-mast high. The Common Council, and all other public bodies, passed resolutions testifying their respect to his memory. On the day of his funeral, the various Courts of the city adjourned, to give the members opportunity to attend his funeral. The railroad station at which passengers from New

York were to arrive, the hotels, the public buildings, and many of the private residences in the principal streets, were draped with black; the shops and places of business of the village through which the procession was to pass, were closed, and mourning festoons were suspended across the road. Indeed, all classes vied in showing respect to his memory. He was interred on the 1st of December, in the cemetery of Tarrytown, within view of Sleepy Hollow.

The merits of Washington Irving were freely recognized in this country. He had, indeed, a claim on the good feeling of England, for he ever strove to perform the blessed office of a peacemaker in any difficulties between her and his own country. One of the most agreeable characteristics of his works is the generous, conciliating, and courageous tone, with which, on all fit occasions, he alluded to the political animosities which so frequently disturbed the intercourse between Great Britain and the United States. He did not hesitate to tell us that we encouraged most absurd prejudices with regard to his fellowcountrymen, lamented that we should have such imperfect knowledge of their good qualities, and earnestly exhorted both nations, by an exercise of mutual forbearance and charity, to arrive at a better understanding. The recollection of this sound and delicately proffered advice, will make all thinking Englishmen regret that it never again can be repeated by the man of long-enduring fame, who so often gave it. In his own country he was greatly beloved. Among the