Washington Irving and the Storrows: Letters from England and the Continent, 1821-1828 [Reprint 2014 ed.] 9780674498877, 9780674186712

Citation preview

WASHINGTON IRVING AND T H E S T O R K O W S L E T T E R S FROM ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT

· 1821-1828

LONDON : HUMPHREY MILFORD OXFORD UNIVERSITY PBESS

THOMAS W E N T W O R T H

STORROW

From the Painting by Gilbert Stuart Newton (c. 1803) (In the possession of Edward C. Storrow)

WASHINGTON IRVING AND THE STORROWS L E T T E R S FROM E N G L A N D A N D T H E C O N T I N E N T · 1821-1828 EDITED

BY

STANLEY T. WILLIAMS

Cambridge, Massachusetts

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS MCMXXXIII

COPYRIGHT, 1933 BY THE PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OP HARVARD COU.EGB

PRINTED AT THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE, 1IASS., U . S . A .

PREFACE

HAVE heard that biographers of far greater men than Washington Irving have sometimes regretted, as they neared the end of their long tasks, abandoning to final oblivion letters which, however negligible to their major aims as biographers, recreated subtly, if read entire, the backgrounds of their subjects. Indeed, this may be true even of the essayist and historian Irving, whose formal writings offer inadequate explanation of his contemporary fame. Certainly some of that elusive grace which captivated Aaron Burr, Walter Scott, or Spanish scholars entered into his full letters to intimate friends or children, letters that in a biography must be clipped for a sentence or a phrase. At any rate, I confess that this motive has actuated the separate publication of the letters of Irving to the Storrows. These letters and the companion volume, recently printed, The Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-1824,1 tell in his own words better than can his biographer some of his intimate hopes and fears between 1821 and 1828. Possibly, too, if the I

1. Harvard University Press, 1931. Irving's intimacy with the Storrows forms the background of this Journal. See Index.

vi

PREFACE

biography prove acceptable, these elaborations of the events to be chronicled there may not eventually be unwelcome. This sheaf of manuscripts, which, unknown to students of Irving, remained in the family of Mr. Edward C. Storrow, of Boston, until his generous gift of them in 1928 to Harvard University, is the largest collection of letters extant written by Irving to any one individual or family, with the exception of the IrvingBrevoort letters in the New York Public Library, and his correspondence with Mrs. Sarah Paris Storrow in the possession of Yale University. The collection consists of fifty-five separate letters and seven notes.1 Of these, forty-eight letters are printed in this volume as a progressive, if sketchy, narrative of Irving's interests from the time of the appearance of Bracebridge Hall to that of T h e Conquest of Granada. These are reproduced exactly as Irving wrote them, with all his idiosyncrasies of diction and spelling, and, for the reader's guidance, a few explanatory notes. Detailed analysis and critical interpretation of the events described in the letters, such as Irving's poverty and his experiences in

writing the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, will appear in the forthcoming biography. They are offered here merely as the first record of an important 1. These seven notes, undated, were written during the years 1823 and 1824, and are concerned with Irving's engagements, household affairs, and other unimportant matters. Seven letters, addressed to the older and younger Storrows and reflecting Irving's interests during the last eight years of his life, are not included in this volume. They are dated: October 27, 1851; May (?) 1852; July 7, 1852; December 14, 1852; April 17, 1853; December 9, 1854; and August 25, 1859.

PREFACE

vii

friendship, hitherto hardly known, and as an illuminating story of Irving's struggles to solidify the fame won by The Sketch Book. At the beginning of this correspondence Irving was thirty-eight years old. Thomas Wentworth Storrow, the son of a British army officer, was four years his senior. His boyhood had been spent in the West Indies, in Boston, and in New Brunswick; and at the age of sixteen, after a brief education, he had lived again in Boston as a clerk in a dry-goods shop. After service abroad as a purchaser of goods, and after a business venture in Montreal, he settled in France, about 1815, for fifteen years, a period in which he demonstrated not only his unusual ability in finance, but that intellectual curiosity which had made him an indefatigable student of history and biography. His attractions for Irving are evident in the letters. Not only did he become the improvident author's financial adviser, but his houses in Paris and Auteuil, with his cultivated wife and three sons and two daughters,1 were a constant and stimulating refuge from the more formal society of Paris in which the two friends mingled. For Storrow studied persistently; his counsel to Irving on literary matters was based on knowledge. A linguist, a particular student of Hebrew, he was also an amateur 1. These children and their dates of birth were: Susan, 1807; Charles Storer, 1809; Ann Louisa, 1811; Samuel, 1813; Thomas W., 1815. Susan married Henry Van Wart, the son of Irving's brother-in-law. Mrs. Storrow died in 1837, and Ann Louisa in the same year. For this information and for his many kindnesses in preparing this volume I am indebted to Mr. Edward C. Storrow, of Boston, the grandson of Charles Storer Storrow.

vili

PREFACE

scholar in antiquities and in geology; his library of history, biography, and of the Greek and Latin classics was small but choice. Outside the domestic circle, where his family read Spanish and Italian, his talents made him the intimate of Lafayette, and the friend of Humboldt, Cousin, and Lamartine. In 1828 it was Irving's turn to give comfort; Storrow suffered severely in business. And nine years later he lost his wife and Ann Louisa, the recipients of so many of Irving's letters. We hear of him again in America during the last period of Irving's life.1 The bond had been strengthened, for in 18^1 a son, Thomas Storrow, frequently mentioned in these letters, married Irving's favourite niece, Sarah Paris. So once more he wrote to the Storrows, this time from " Sunnyside," letters of old age,2 as gracious as those of his middle years to this family, which to the wanderer in France and Spain meant home. Nor are the letters merely a memorial of this friendship. Irving does not always tell stories of goblins and rosebuds or write crisscross letters to Susan and Minny. In them one may trace shadows at variance with the conventional portraits of Irving; one may follow him in 1825from Paris to Bordeaux, and on to Madrid, noting his reasons for crossing the border; and, most of all, he may be seen clearly in the most arduous and anxious literary labour of his life, the writing of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. Longfellow, who 1. These facts are drawn from [Dr. Walter Channing] A Memoir of Thomas Wentworth Storrow, printed for private circulation, Boston, 1863. Copy in the possession of Mr. Edward C. Storrow. 2. See Letters from Sunnyside and Spain, Yale University Press, 1928.

PREFACE

ix

visited Irving in Madrid in 1827, defined by his sentimental picture of the historian serenely at work the popular impression of a care-free writer delving in old Spanish chronicles.1 These letters, on the contrary, show Irving distressed and working to the point of exhaustion to fulfill his ambitions in the field of history. For his two years of self-denial he was rewarded. If the rhetoric and amateur scholarship of the four volumes are supplanted today, they won Irving in Spain a reputation which was partly responsible for his success some fifteen years later as Minister from the United States to the Court of Isabella II.2 STANLEY T . WILLIAMS NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT April 1, 1933. 1. Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. S. Longfellow (Boston, 1886), I, 117, 118. 2. In Actos, December 5, 12, 1828, of the Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid, is the record of Irving's election to this society, through the friendship of Navarrete. The first of a number of translations of Irving's book into Spanish was García Villalta's Historia de la vida y viajes de Cristóbal Colón, Madrid, 1833-1834. The history has been widely discussed by Spanish scholars, and in 1893 received extravagant praise from Menéndez y Pelayo. See his Estudios de critica literaria (Madrid, 1893), pp. 201 ff. "All claim me," said Irving on his arrival as Minister, " a s an acquaintance from my writings, and all welcome me as a 'friend of Spain.'" Irving to Mrs. Daniel Paris, Madrid, August 3, 1842, in the possession of Yale University.

WASHINGTON IRVING AND T H E S T O R K O W S L E T T E R S FROM ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT

· 1821-1828

WASHINGTON IRVING AND THE STORKOWS LETTERS FROM ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT · 1821-1828

London, Aug 26th 1821.1 My dear M™ Storrow, I CANNOT let Bancroft 2 depart without scribbling you a line, if it is only to ask how you all do, and to let you know that I often think of you all, and wish myself back again among my playmates in Rue Thevenet.3 I have regretted leaving Paris ever since I arrived in England. The thick atmosphere of this country, or rather of London, has befogged my brains and beclouded my spirits, and I have been almost good for nothing. I have been detained in town by 1. Irving had left Paris on July 11, 1821, for London where he intended to finish Bracebridge Hall (1822), the volume which, closely following The Sketch Book (1819-1820), established his European reputation. 2. With George Bancroft, now twenty-one, who was returning from his studies in Germany, Irving had been intimate in Paris. See M . A. DeW. Howe, Life and Letters of George Bancroft (New York, 1918), I, 106-110. 8. At this time the Storrows' residence in Paris.

WASHINGTON IRVING 4 various circumstances 1 and have not been able to go to my sisters;2 but hope to do so before long. London appears very monotonous and commonplace after Paris, and is quite a different place to me from what it was formerly; though indeed, it is a season of the year when London is always particularly dull and uncomfortable. I miss my Sunday parties sadly. The people here are all too old for me. I know no one that will tell stories and play at pawns with me. I was quite surprised by the appearance of Mr Bancroft; who I had supposed on his way for Italy. He lives at such a distance from me that I have not been able to see him as often as I could wish; and I presume his time is very much taken up with "seeing the Lions." He told me Susan 3 was thinking of writing a letter to me by him; but put it off; until after the 25th when she would be able to give me an account of the concourse. I shall look for it with great impatience, and hope Minny 4 will write a line too; and if Charles5 will do the same, I shall be too happy. I beg they will let me know all about Sarah; and that young lady at school that was rather cool for a time with Susan; but who had a good heart ; and whether Petite still continues her soirees, and whether Monsieur Jacques and the big bass voice attend — and how the little cat comes on, and whether Justine has 1. Irving acted as agent in London for John Howard Payne, the American dramatist. 2. Sarah Irving Van Wart, wife of Henry Van Wart, of Birmingham. S. Susan Storrow, the older daughter of Thomas Storrow. 4. Ann Louisa Storrow, Storrow's younger daughter. 5. Charles Storrow, the oldest son.

AND T H E

STORKOWS

5

yet put her in corsets — in a word, to give me an account of the whole circle of our intimates. What I would not give to be this moment on the sopha in the little room, talking over these interesting matters, instead of sitting here, in smoky London, scribbling to the tolling of church bells, on a rainy Sunday. I have no home here in London to dine at on Sundays, with a family circle to make me feel as if I were among my own. I have kept out of company almost entirely since my arrival here, and am chiefly with Newton and Leslie.1 I have a room at Newtons lodgings, in a very quiet and pleasant part of the town. The Astors passed a few days in London lately but have gone off on a tour. Bayard and his family are about to return to Paris, and from thence to go by the way of Havre to America — I have seen but little of them, and have not visited M r s Harman & little Miss Muss [?] since I have been in London; I am ashamed to say it — but I cannot help it ; this is such a vast wilderness of a place that it is next to impossible to pay visits and follow my literary pursuits at the same time. I hope friend Wilder 2 and family are all well, and that the peace society has been able to determine upon a name and proceed to business, as they are terribly wanted among the Greeks. They should send two or three old gentlemen in cocked hats with 1. Both these painters, G. S. Newton and C. R. Leslie, had been intimate friends of Irving since 1816. 2. Bayard, Wilder, and others mentioned in this letter were acquaintances whom Irving had met in Paris in 1820.

6

WASHINGTON

IRVING

all speed to America, also, to put out the war among the Spaniards. 1 think the worthy little old good for nothing gentleman that breaks into such raptures about Wilders wine & his wife (quelle femme!) might be of the number. But my paper is full, and I have talked nonsense enough — I should be ashamed to send it to you, if I was not aware that you know already how much nonsense there is in my nature. Remember me most heartily to the Bon homme, I hope he wont be jealous at my writing to you instead of him — give my love to the dear little girls, and to that brave homme Charles and give me a little family gossip when you have a leisure moment. Affectionately your friend, Washington Irving P. S. I have just seen Bancroft & he says that you and M r Storrow are coming to London in a few days. I hope I may be in town when you arrive — if not M r Storrow must write me a line to Birmingham. Tell Susan I shall be looking out for her account of the concourse, and will be sadly disappointed if she does not write soon. — Tell Minny I always think of her when I pull out my purse; and the thought of her takes away from the ill humour with which one always pays money.

AND THE

STORKOWS

7

Birmingham, Dec1. 10 a , 1821.1 My dear M r s Storrow, I AM affraid you will be all out of patience with me for not answering your delightful little family pacquet of last summer. I have been waiting for an opportunity of sending a pacquet in return, but am so out of the way of opportunities that I must give it up, and write to you by post. I will answer the letters of the dear little girls by the first private hand that presents. Indeed I have been in no mood for letter writing for a long time past. I have been sadly out of health ever since my return to England. I felt out of order when in London without knowing what ailed me. I made a little tour 2 about the beginning of September and came to my sisters at Birmingham, where I have been laid up ever since. I was troubled with what I considered a slight bilious attack, and had an inflammation on the skin of my left foot, the inflammation increased, accompanied by feverishness and I was induced to take medical advice. When a man once gets into the Doctors hands it is a long while before he gets out again. They have made a complete job and I may say Job of me, excepting t h a t I have not his patience. The physician attributed my indisposition to an obstruction of the liver and proceeded accordingly. I have taken medicine 1. Irving left London on about September 9, with Leslie, for his sister's home, where he finished Bracebridge Hall. 2. To Oxford, Stratford-on-Avon, Kenilworth, and Warwick Castle.

8

WASHINGTON

IRVING

enough to set up a country apothecary, but to no effect. The inflammation extended to both legs and became intolerable. The confinement I underwent & the medicines 1 took rendered me tender & liable to colds, and I have had a sad feverish time of it. I have changed my Physician within a few days and am under a totally different course of treatment. I t is severe in its effects as yet and I cannot stand or move without pain & difficulty. I hope however this is an ordeal that will be attended with salutary consequences, and will enable me to get about again. I t is fortunate that I am at my sisters, where I am well nursed, and have that tender and affectionate treatment which is more efficacious with me than all the medicine in the world. I often wish that you and my sister lived near each other: I know no two beings that would suit each other better. She is one of the most amiable, excellent beings in the world. She has a fine family of children, among whom I am a most important personage from my invaluable talent at telling nonsensical stories. There are two charming little girls, one nearly seven the other about 8. They now and then invite some of their little friends to see them with the promise that "Uncle shall tell some of his stories." I t would amuse you to see me, with my crippled limbs stretched on a sopha, surrounded by a little fairy circle, all listening with breathless attention to some harum-scarum tale that sets all sense and probability at defiance. I was very much delighted with the letters from

AND THE

STORROWS

9

the dear little girls. Susans account of domestic concerns and of the School was very amusing and very charmingly written. She will be a good letter writer. And my dear little Minny deserves my thanks for her pleasant little note. Nor must I forget that brave Homme Charles, whose transcript of the telegraphic intelligence was highly gratifying. How much I wish to see you all again. I think we should have fine times now that the Bon Homme has treated the young ladies to a Piano. I little thought when I parted with you in Paris that I should be at this time passing a dismal sick winter in England. I shall get out of this country as soon as possible for I think the climate of the continent will have a good effect in restoring my health. I have had affecting news from America which has in some measure contributed to encrease the virulence of my malady. There have been two or three deaths among my relations, and the most distressing is that of my eldest Brother 1 — one who was like a father to the family, and whose worth in every respect was such as to make his loss one of the dismallest events that ever happened to me. By the time this letter reaches you the young folks will be home for the Holydays. Give my love to them all and tell them not to forget me. I wish they would write to me again without waiting for my reply. I give them my word that I will reply, and their letters would be extremely gratifying. I want another letter 1. William Irving, business man and co-author of Salmagundi 1808).

(1807-

10

WASHINGTON

IRVING

from Susan about her school, and to hear how she and Minny make out in their classes. Give my hearty regards to the Bon Homme — and to Pere Wilder & family and believe me truly & affectionately: your friend Washington Irving.

57, Russell Square, London Feby 1st 1822.1 My dear Storrow, I H A V E suffered an enormous time to elapse without answering your very kind letter; and what is worse I have no other excuse to offer but that I have postponed replying to that, as I have to a number of other letters from my friends in the steady determination of writing the next day, and the next, until the lapse of time has at length frightened me into exertion I thank you and all your amiable household for the anxiety you express about my health, and your wish for me to come to Paris. My health still continues bad. I managed to get to town the day after Christmas and have been quartered ever since in the hospitable mansion of my friends the Messrs Hoffmann of Baltimore; where I have every kindness and attention shewn me. I have been confined to the house ever since my arrival until these two days past; when 1. Irving had returned to London in December, 1821, to complete the arrangements for the publication of Bracebridge Hall. In January and February, 1822, he sent the manuscript of this book to America for publication.

AND THE

STORROWS

11

I have felt so much better as to drive out and take a little fresh air in the middle of the day — but my malady has seemed to return with renewed virulence today, and I feel in consequence quite downhearted. There seems to be no conquering it. I have had the advice of several skillful physicians & surgeons and have pursued a course of diet and taken the most powerful alterative medicines for several months but all in vain. I should like extremely to be able to come to Paris for I think the change of air would do me good and the change of scene still more. But I cannot leave London for the present. I must remain here for a time to try and do something in the literary way; in which I have been sadly retarded by my indisposition. Indeed I question whether I could bear the journey in my present state of health. I wish M r s Storrow would write me a letter and tell me all about the little household in Rue Thevenet. I should be sure of getting from her all that domestic chitchat which is so interesting and delightful, and which women only can write. I want to know how Susan and Minny thot that brave Homme Charles came on. And how all our little circle of intimates are employing and amusing themselves this winter. I would give anything to be stretched on that Sopha you talk of, and to have the "historical society" collected round me. I could tell them Such Stories ! Since I left them I have fallen in with another old woman and have got from her a whole budget of tales. If ever I escape from the Doctors hand and get safe to

12

WASHINGTON IRVING

Paris again I shall have some wonderful histories to relate when we young folk gather together in the little parlour. I speak with confidence of my new stock of stories for I have tried them upon several convocations of the most experienced little story mongers in all Birmingham & have come off with unbounded applause. Does Susan go to school still or has Mamma put a large bunch of Keys to her girdle and made her housekeeper. I thought she was getting a little of a matronly housekeeping air before I left Paris. As to Minny I suppose she as usual is studying hard, and preparing to carry off some of the best prizes at the next concourse. As soon as I get well enough I mean to go to the admiralty and consult the telegraph which I understand is in active correspondence with that in Mont Martre, and I make no doubt, can procure me all the news of the school. How do our good friends the Wilders — I suppose the Wednesday evenings are kept up as usual. I look to have this letter answered by M rs Storrow, and beg she will give me all the news she can of all our circle of acquaintances, down to Petite and the cat. Give my most affectionate regards to M rs Storrow — Susan, Minny & Charles, and remember me particularly to the Wilders I am my dear Storrow very truly yours W Irving

AND THE

STORROWS

13

London, Feby 28 a -1822. My dear little lady, owed you a letter for a long time and fancy you have given up the debt as a bad one; if so you will be the better pleased at having it paid at last — and thats the best excuse I can offer for the delay. I have wished myself back to Paris a thousand times since I left there; for I have been out of health ever since I arrived in England. My time has been passed almost entirely at home, I have seen very little therefore of gaiety, and look back with many a sigh to the balls and routs we used to have in Rue Thevenet. It is true I had some little amusement of the kind when at Birmingham, where my nieces introduced me to some young ladies of their acquaintance, and we used to have a quadrille now and then; but they do not dance as well as the young ladies in France, and indeed some of them had not as yet begun dancing lessons. I arrived here just in time for the coronation;1 which was a very grand sight. There was a magnificent procession of all the nobility in their robes and jewels and coronets; and the judges in their gowns and wigs; and all the other functionaries in their proper costumes. All the world was there; holy day was given to all the schools; the servants were permitted to look out of the garret windows in the streets where the procession did not pass; in those where it 1 HAVE

1. The coronation of George IV occurred in July, 1821.

14

WASHINGTON

IBVING

did, every window was hired out for several golden guineas; you have no idea what sums of money were expended by the nobility and gentry; even my landlady had an old silk gown made quite new for the occasion, and her two daughters had red morocco shoes and coronation ribbands on their hats. The King looked amazing grand; dressed in a huge robe of ermine and velvet, with a splendid crown, and long ringlets hanging down his back. I was quite surprised to see the old gentleman with such a fine head of hair, until I was told it was all false; but that it was the rule for the King to have long flowing ringlets on his coronation day; because the kings wore them in old times. He had so much clothes on that he had to employ six lads to help him carry it. He is considered a very great king by some of his subjects, particularly those in office, who have the best chance of knowing him; others speak very scandalously of him; for my part as I am a stranger in the country I take no part with either side; but this I will say I do not think him so great a king as Louis the 18th by at least a hundred weight. It is certain, however, that before he grew very fat he was one of the most graceful kings of the day, and even now it is said there is no monarch can equal him for the grace with which he takes off his travelling cap — But these are dangerous matters to be meddling with — keep all this part of my letter to yourself — the lord knows what would become of us both, if it were found we were corresponding about politics. I hope when the gentleman returns who takes this

AND THE r

STORKOWS

15

letter (M . Loomis) that you will let me hear from you in reply; and let me know how every thing goes on at school and at home; how you and the young lady with a good heart make out; and whether you have gained any more prizes. Has our friend Petite given any soirées this winter, or are her parties confined merely to the summer. I had thought long before this to have been back a t Paris; but here I am still and here I must remain a little longer, and then I fear I shall have to make for Aix La Chapelle or some other watering place to endeavour to regain my health. However, some day or other we will I trust be all assembled together again, and have some more parties either at Montmorenci, or in the Rue Thevenet — and the sooner the better, say I. I must now finish my letter that I may have time to write one to my dear little Minny before M r Loomis calls. You must let her know all the news contained in this excepting what relates to politics — as she is too young yet to have her head perplexed with such matters. Adieu my dear Susan — keep as good a girl as you were when I left you and you will be as good as need be. Your affectionate friend Washington Irving

16

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Haerlem, July 11th 1822.1 My dear Storrow, I SCRIBBLE you a hasty line to let you know that I am again on this side of the channel, which is a great point gained toward our once more meeting. I left London on Saturday the 8 th in a steamboat which landed me safely at Rotterdam after a very pleasant voyage of about thirty hours; but which would have been shorter, had the wind not been directly ahead. I am making a solitary, but pleasant tour among the Mynheers : I wait to-day to hear the celebrated organ of this place, after which 1 go to Amsterdam. I shall remain there a couple of days and then journey on to Aix La Chapelle, to take the waters; being still troubled with the cutaneous complaint that has so long worried me. I had nearly conquered it, in London, by the aid of dry fumigating baths of sulphur; but a little neglect, and going too much into company has caused something of a return; and I am now rather shakled by it. I hope however to get entirely clear of it this summer, and to come to you all at Paris in the latter part of the Autumn, quite a hearty man again. I sent Mrs Storrow a copy of my last work2 some1. Irving had left London on July 6, bound for the baths of Aix-laChapelle, and passed through Holland. Details of his return journey through this country may be found in the Journal of Washington Irving, 18S3-183Í,

pp. 18-24.

2. Bracebridge Hall.

AND THE

STORROWS

17

time since, by a Major Warburton, who was going to Paris, I hope she received it safe. How do you all do? & what are you all doing. I long to be again installed in my presidential chair in the Rue Thevenet. I mean to get into the confidence of every old woman I meet with in Germany and get from her, her budget of wonderful stories. The time must be near at hand when the little princesses are to be released from that enchanted castle where they remain shut up & guarded by two ferocious dogs. I presume they will set up for little women of courts, the moment they leave school, and that I shall have to approach them with my hat in my hand. Mra Storrow will no doubt surrender the Keys to Susan at once, and Minny will be entitled to sit up one hour later of an evening — Dear! Dear! what changes are continually taking place in this world ! Charles I trust does not participate in this domestic revolution, but remains sometime longer a school boy. It cannot be expected that he should get on so rapi[dly as] his sisters; for boys you know do not grow men as little girls do women. The young ladies have continue to play with him occasionally [and?] admit him into their circle. It will be their [duty to?] 1 have an eye to him, and bring him forward as much as they may think proper. The young women must without fail, make their appearance at neighbor Wilders conversazione on Wednesday evenings. 1. The manuscript is torn in four places.

18

WASHINGTON

IRVING

I dined & past a pleasant evening at M r Everetts 1 at the Hague the day before yesterday; which is the only fair chance I have had of opening my lips since I have been in Holland. I do not know whether you have ever been in this part of the world; you would be much pleased with it. The towns are extremely clean and well built; the old fantastic buildings have a picturesque look, and the canals bordered by fine trees have a beauty of effect that you would not expect in canals. Give my love to M ra Storrow and the young people and let me hear from some one or other of you, though I should frankly prefer any of the family to yourself as a correspondant; for they all write longer & more interesting domestic letters than you do — Direct to me, if you write pretty soon — post restante Αίχ la Chapelle — if you defer it for any time then direct post restante Heidelberg — God bless you all Yours ever WI.

Wiesbaden, Aug 20th 1822 My dear Storrow, As I suppose you must by this time have got safe back to your strong hold in Rue Thevenet, I will 1. Alexander Hill Everett, editor and diplomat, served at The Hague from 1818 to 1824. In 1825 he was appointed Minister to Spain, where Irving was intimate with him during the writing of the History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus.

AND THE

STORROWS

19

trouble you with another despatch. The sudden migration in the Storrow family did certainly throw me into great surprize, and must have caused quite a sensation in your neighborhood. I hope La Dame Storrow enjoyed her visit to England and that her health is all the better for it; if not the best thing you can next do is to bring her to the Rhine, and try what fine air, fine road[s] and fine scenery will do for her. I have had a mingled time of suffering & enjoyment since I wrote to you. I grew very lame in trudging about the dutch towns, and unluckily as a make shift, I applied to my legs a recipe given me by old Lady Liston (may god bless her, and preserve her from her own prescriptions !) — it played the vengeance with me — between that & the heat of travelling my malady returned with all its virulence — I could scarcely put my feet to the ground & bear my weight upon them — In this way I had to travel for three or four days in a state of suffering that 1 cannot express, until I got to Aix la Chapelle where I lay by for between two & three weeks. The baths alleviated the severity of my complaint but appeared to make slow progress toward a cure. I was very much confined to my room and very lonely & dispirited; when luckily an English gentleman, an old acquaintance 1 arrived there: and I was induced, lame as I was, to accept a seat in his carriage & come on to Wisbaden to try the waters here. I made the journey more comfortably than I had anticipated; and being en1. Thomas Brandram, whom Irving had known during a journey to Albany in 1803.

20

WASHINGTON

IRVING

abled to loll at full length in the carriage I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Rhine, which we saw in full perfection, in most delightful weather. I have now been here about eleven days, and find myself considerably benefited by a dry vapour bath of sulphur, which I found here. I shall endeavour to see a little more of Germany, by going from place to place where baths of the kind I require are to be found; and then, if I find this complaint still lingers about me, I will hasten to Paris and lay by until I am perfectly cured. I understand there are very good sulphur baths at Tivoli; I wish you would enquire whether there are dry fumigating sulphur baths there; or in what part of Paris a bath of the kind is to be met with — I know there are such at the Hospital S' Louis, for they are considered sovereign remedies in cutaneous complaints. Take care to be correctly informed — It is not a vapour bath from hot water; but a dry air bath, from the smoke of sulphur. I should like to know where such baths are situated and where quiet & convenient appartments are to be met with in the vicinity; that I may know where to pitch my tent in case I have to repair to Paris; without being obliged to limp about from house to house in my disabled condition. I do not think however that I shall come to Paris for some weeks yet; & if I can get on with the baths in Germany I shall not quit this country until late in the Autumn. I wish 1 could meet with Coolidge,1 for I am sadly 1. An American friend, of Boston, whom Irving had known in Paris and London.

AND THE

21

STORROWS

in want of a companion, now that I am so much crippled & confined to the house without the disposition to study or scribble — Has he given no directions where letters might find him? This letter I presume will find you with your little family assembled around you — I long to see you all again — it seems an age since we parted; and a great part of the time has been sad and uncomfortable with me. I am affraid I shall not be in a state to lead off in the dance with the young princesses, but at any rate I can lie on the sopha and tell stories; having met with several very wonderful and true ones in the course of my travels. I beg in particular they will put me in mind of " the Governors daughter and the prince of Fairy land," a story, the authenticity of which is not to be doubted. When next you write I beg the Madame may help out the letter; you write admirably to the point my dear Sir, but terribly brief; a ladys pen is always more communicative — I want to hear all about your journey to London & what and whom you saw there — and I want to know something of family affairs in Rue Thevenet — Give my love to all the household— Your friend, W Irving. P. S. I have changed my quarters to Mayence, where there is a vapour bath I shall probably remain here for some little time and if you can fill a letter

22

WASHINGTON

IRVING

for me among you & will send it here post restant[e] I cannot tell you how much good it will do me Mayence, Aug 22d P. S. encore — I have encountered at my present lodgings a russian colonel, who has suffered from the same malady that I am at present tormented with — He is able to give me all the information necessary about the Baths at Paris; so you need not trouble yourself on that account. If you should know where Coolidge is, and should be writing to him, let him know that I am at Mayence at the Hotel De Darmstadt I think it very probable that I shall remain at this place or in the vicinity for some time, as I find I can have very good advice here — and good remedies —

Vienna, Nov. 10 th 1822. 1 My dear and excellent little lady, I OUGHT long since to have acknowledged and answered your charming letter; but I have been so much occupied in travelling and travelling, like the heroes in story books, and have been so much taken up with seeing haunted castles and Kings pallaces that I have 1. From Mainz Irving went to Heidelberg, then to Carlsruhe, Strassburg, and Donaueschingen. Here he commenced a long journey down to the Danube, pausing at Ulm, Augsburg, and Blenheim, and reaching Munich on October 10. Stopping briefly at Salzburg, he arrived at Vienna on about October 21. This letter to Susan and the three following notes to Minny, Charles, and T. W. Storrow (dated six days later) he sent to the Storrow family as one letter.

AND THE

STORKOWS

23

had no time to write letters; so as I know you are very considerate and very indulgent I am sure you will excuse me. I have just returned from a two days excursion up the banks of the Danube to the ruins of the old castle of Diirnstein where Richard Coeur de leon was confined. I presume you know the romantic story of his captivity; if not, you will find it in the History of England — or rather, you will pick it up from the novels and operas that have been founded on it — as poets and dramatists are always the best relaters of historical facts. As I presume you have a proper ladylike taste for ruined castles I wish you could have been with me to see this one; it would do any young ladys heart good to look at it. I t is built round the very peak of a high craggy rock, among stern dark mountains, and gloomy forests; with the Danube sweeping along below it. In one part of the ruins is the sweetest dark dungeon you can imagine; cut out of the solid rock; in which I'll warrant Richard was often put on bread & water, when he happened to be a little restive. I never saw a finer castle for a heroine to be confined in, or a ghost to haunt; though after the most diligent enquiry I could not find that the old ruins were haunted by a single goblin; which rather surprized me. The castles in Germany are generally very well off in that particular, and I have met with some that have had half a dozen ghosts to garrison them. What stories I shall have to tell you when I get once more to Rue Thevenet ! — By the way, put me in mind, when I see you, of the Emperor and his army shut up in the enchanted

24

WASHINGTON

IRVING

mountain — which mountain I have absolutely seen with my own eyes — Put me in mind of the little dwarf woman, with twenty rings on her fingers, who came nobody knew whence, and who went, nobody knew whither — Put me in mind of the Black Huntsman and the enchanted Bullets. Put me in mind — but no matter, only let me get back once more to the historical society of Rue Thevenet, and we'll have fine times I'll warrant you. I was extremely sorry that I could not join your little rural community at Nanterre; what pleasant walks we should have had in the fields; and then Charles's kite and ninepins and Minnys swing and chaumiere 1 — really I never had such a captivating picture of country delights set before me. I could hardly help turning my back upon Germany and all its haunted castles, and making the best of my way to Paris. However, I hope we shall all have some merry times together when I get back; and that your papa will hire some other country seat in the suburbs for you all to ruralize in. I am heartily glad you have got safe out of the clutches of that school mistress and her two big dogs; though I hope you do not fail to keep up some friendly communications with Miss Sarah and that young lady that had such a "good heart." Commend me to them both when you see them. How do our friends in the court yard come on — does Petite give evening parties still, and is the big bass voice still to be heard? I have a thousand ques1. Cottage.

AND THE

STORKOWS

25

tions to ask you, and a thousand things to tell you; but as I must write in this letter to Minny and Charles, I must defer them all until some other time. I hope the cares and duties of housekeeping do not so entirely engross your time as to prevent your still taking lessons. I anticipate much pleasure from that piano which has lately been introduced into the house, and trust that at the next ball I dance at in the Rue Thevenet it will save me the trouble of playing the Quadrille upon the bellows. Farewell my dear little woman; let me have another family letter from you all soon, and do not forget, amidst the dissipations of Rue Thevenet Your affectionate friend Washington Irving. My dear Minny, I H A V E already told Susan how sorry I was that I could not enjoy the pleasures of the cottage at Nanterre last summer, and how I should have been delighted to have had my turn at the swing and a ride on the Donkeys; but all that pour une autrefois. You have said nothing in your letters about our friend[s] the Miss Wilders; nor whether you have any more tea parties; and what beau you have in my place. I am affraid these young ladies have quite forgotten me. By the bye, talking of young folks, I have just seen little Napoleon, 1 who you know lives in Vienna. A fine boy he is let me tell you; full of life and spirit 1. Irving refers to Napoleon Francis Joseph Charles, Duke of Reichstädt. He was the son of Napoleon I.

26

WASHINGTON

IRVING

— very handsome, and very much liked by every body. Folks tell me — but however it wont do to talk politics, as I may get you into difficulties should this letter be seen — yet they do say that there is not a boy of his age in all Paris that can dance better than him — but this you must keep to yourself, as it might cause some uneasiness, should it get to the ears of the french government. I hope that, though you have left school, you have not given up your studies; and that Susan helps you on in the highway to learning as much as lies in her power. I regret very much that I should never have been able to attend any of the concours of your Pension as I should have liked to see you and Susan receive the applause of the audience for your merits. I shall, however, be able to judge of your application when I return, when I trust I shall find you two very sensible, accomplished, conversible little Gentlewomen. Adieu, my dear Minny, believe me your sincere friend WI. My dear Sir, THIS letter I trust will find you safe at school, enjoying the soupe maigre and lentilles of which you talk; and which I think admirable diet for [a] scholar; keeping both body and soul light and active. I wish you could see some of the Military schools here; where little gentlemen of ten years old are dressed out a la militaire with cocked hats ; regimentals, long sabres, and now and then a military blue cloak; so

AND THE

STORROWS

27

that they begin by being little men and I presume grow up to be boys. I am glad to hear from Minny that you gained a wreath of laurels at the Lycee. I hope mamma has treasured it up, and that you wear it on all family fetes. I have been looking out continually of late for our friend[s] M r Ritchie 1 & M r Coolidge, whom your papa said were coming to Vienna; but I hear nothing of them, and I am now about setting off for Dresden so that I fear there will be but little chance of our meeting. You must make M r Coolidge take the presidential chair of the historical society when he arrives; and tell you all the wonderful adventures he has met with in his travels; though, between ourselves, the world has terribly fallen off in latter days; men meet with nothing of the adventures that they did in old times — I have travelled and travelled a vast deal this summer, but have not met with a single Giant, or a fiery dragon. Still, however, I have picked up some strange matters to discuss when next we meet, and have yet several parts of Germany to see, which abound with wonders. Of these, hereafter, in the mean time believe me ever, Yours very faithfully W. I. My dear Storrow, I RECEIVED your letter of the 14 th Octr with the letters it enclosed and which were quite a treat to me. I 1. Thomas Ritchie, an American friend, frequently mentioned in Irymg's Paris journals.

28

WASHINGTON IBVING

have had so much to say to the young folks that I can only scrawl you a line in a corner of my letter. I have been disappointed in not meeting with Coolidge & Ritchie and now give them up. I leave this [place] the day after tomorrow for Dresden, where I think of going into winter quarters and studying German.1 I am glad to hear my friend Charles is about the same thing — what fine times we shall have when we meet spluttering high dutch together, to the admiration and confusion of the whole household. I hope dame Storrow will take good care of herself this winter; which I am assured on good authority is going to be a severe one. I wish I could pass it with you, but my fate seems to be to wander; or rather, it is my vocation. Your mention of the boiled beef the sopha wheeled to the fireside, the new cat, all brought such a picture of household enjoyments before me, that for a moment I sighed, even among the splendours and revels of Vienna. Should any more letters arrive for me forward them Poste restante — to Dresden and do let me hear from you all — consider me as one of your family absent, and believe me ever most truly yours W. I. 1. Irving bad begun the study of German about 1818, presumably as a result of his visit in the preceding year to Scott at " Abbotsford." It is now known that portions of "Rip Van Winkle" are hardly more than translations of a German tale.

AND THE

STORKOWS

29

Dresden, Deer 22 d 1822. 1 My dear Storrow, I RECEIVED a letter a few days since from my Brother in law M r Van Wart requesting my advice about sending his eldest son,2 a lad of about fifteen, to France for several months, to initiate him in the French Language. He did not know whether to send him to a public school, or to board him in a French Family. As I knew no family to reccommend him to, & doubted much whether any could be found, where a boy of his age would be properly looked after, I advised him to send him to a public school, and mentioned the one where my friend Charles goes —• and I took the liberty further of saying that, should he send him to that school, he might reccommend him to your care, and that I was sure you and Mra Storrow would keep a friendly eye upon him for my sake — I hope I have not over rated your good will for me; I have judged only from my own feelings toward you & yours. The lad in question is an uncommonly fine boy and one in whom I feel uncommon interest, as he is the oldest of the family and will be his fathers main stay. He is of a fine disposition, remarkably apt at his 1. Irving arrived in Dresden on November 28, 1822, and left this city for Paris on July 12, 1823. In the Saxon court and in the home of an English family, the Fosters of Bedford, he spent one of the happiest years of his life. He was now engaged upon Tales of a Traveller, but he did not finish this work until the summer of 1824. 2. Irving Van Wart, who was later under Irving's care in Paris.

30

WASHINGTON

IKVING

studies and a great reader. I think he & Charles will like one another much. I have scribbled this merely on the possibility of his being sent to Paris; as it may be thought best to send him to some place in the country; though I know my sister so well that I am sure it would be a consideration that would outweigh almost any other, the having her boy under the kind eye of M rs Storrow. The last time I wrote to you, was, I think, from Vienna, and the greater part of my letter was to the young folks — Since then I have made a tour, or rather a straight course, through Bohemia, stopping about four days at its old Capital Prague; a very interesting old city. I have now been here about three weeks, and am settled for the winter. This place pleases me very very much. It is cheerful, yet quiet— The society very agreeable and on an easy footing. The city itself very neat and convenient — from its moderate size; and the environs beautiful. I came here without any letters, but M r Morier 1 the English Ambassador has been uncommonly attentive to me. He has made his house almost like a home to me; has introduced me to all the foreign ministers, who form the gayest & most agreeable circle here, has made me acquainted with some of the first characters of the place, and this day he is to introduce me to court.2 1. John Philip Morier, Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Saxony from 1816 to 1825. 2. Throughout his stay in Dresden Irving was on friendly terms with Frederick Augustus, King of Saxony, Maria Amelia, the Queen, and with the King's brothers, Anton and Max.

AND T H E

STORROWS

31

I have therefore every opportunity of seeing society to advantage, and am greeted with civilities from all quarters. The only drawback is that there are German translations of my works just appearing, and my writings & myself are topicks in the little literary papers which abound in Germany.1 This has made me an object of blue stocking curiosity and instead of quietly taking a part of observer in society I have to talk — and to fight my way through tough conversations with the aid of bad french and worse german. Theres no such thing as lounging about maison chance, or stealing a comfortable nap in a corner of a sopha. The mode of living here is somewhat old fashioned as to hours, but still very pleasant. The royal family & the old nobility and people about court dine at one oclock the younger part of the nobility, who like more fashionable hours dine at two. The foreign ministers & the English resident here, dine about four — visits of ceremony are sometimes paid at twelve oclock, but more commonly between five and six. At six oclock the fashionable world go to the theatre, where the performance lasts commonly until half past eight or at most nine — after the theatre you pay sociable visits to families with whom you are acquainted, and before eleven you are at home & 1. Irving does not exaggerate his German reputation. See (Dresden) Literarisches Conversationsblatt, 1824, no. 41, p. 164, and no. 186, p. 544; Abendzeitung, February 5, 1825; Hermes, oder britisches Jahrbuch der Literatur (Leipzig, 1824), III, 305-330; (Dresden) Literaturblatt, 1821, no. 5. One scholar, Samuel Heinrich Spiker, was especially assiduous in introducing Irving's writings to German readers.

32

WASHINGTON

IRVING

ready for bed — Such is fashionable life at Dresden. It is true this routine is broken in upon by evening parties, Balls &c — particularly during carnival. You go to Balls and routs about eight oclock — and they rarely last later than twelve — I like the custom of paying visits in the evening particularly — it always puts society upon an easy social footing. I must now leave off to dress for court. The levee is held at twelve oclock; just after morning service of the chapel — I shall write my opinion of the King, queen & the rest of the royal family, in some future letter, to the young princesses, as I know they take particular interest in topicks of the kind. Give my love to your household — I shall be extremely disappointed if I do not receive a letter soon from Susan, Minny & Charles Yours ever — W Irving.

[Paris, May 6, 1824] * My dear M rs Storrow I SEND you the portrait of the two princesses,2 though I find it a hard trial to part with it. I have been visiting, and packing and fidgetting ever since I saw you, until I am almost in a fever. The Evening after I left you I was at the British ambassadors, in hot 1. A summary of Irving's life from the time of his departure from Dresden until the date of this letter may be found in the Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-1824, Introduction. 2. Susan and Ann Louisa Storrow.

AND THE

STORKOWS

38

rooms, among crowds, wax lights, feathers & diamonds & could not but contrast all this hot house artificial glare, with the sweetness and freshness of the groves in which I had been rambling all the morning— and when I saw so many painted faces, and bedizened & bediamon[de]d heads about me, harrassing themselves with midnight dissipation, I thought of the innocent heads that were sleeping sweetly on the quiet pillows at Auteuil. I have made my preparation for parting but hardly know where I shall go — By letters from England I find the country seat where I had calculated on passing a quiet month & preparing my work 1 for the press, is turned upside down by a noisy party from London — I find also that Murray 2 has advertized my work as shortly to appear — so I am quite in a perplexity; fearing that if I set out on my travels I shall not get into a quiet situation for writing. I dine this afternoon with a gentleman at his lodgings at Passy — and I feel very much tempted to look out for a room there where I may keep quiet & work for a couple of weeks so as to get my work in order before starting. My walk from Passy to Auteuil the other day has enchanted me with that neighborhood; it seems the very place for scribbling and rambling. I have taken my leave of folks in Paris, so I shall no more be interrupted by visits & invitations. 1. Tales of a Traveller, 2. John Murray, the English publisher, with whom Irving, like several other American writers, had long and trying relations.

34

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Should I not set off for England I will come out and see you all on Sunday — My Brother1 has been travelling to foreign parts, to seek adventures among Kings palaces, like a hero of fairy tale. Yesterday he was with the Aspinwalls to S' Germain — Today he has gone with them to Versailles — I hope they may stop & pay you a visit at Auteuil enpassant — Give my love to the princesses and tell them to take air baths as often as possible Yours ever Washington Irving Thursday morning — May 6 th

Birmingham, June 25th 1824 2 My dear M rs Storrow W E W E R E all quite delighted here last evening by the arrival of Charles. We had been expecting him for two days, and the children were continually at the window on the look out for him. He is in fine health and much taller for his travels. He and Will have sallied out this morning to behold the wonders of Brummagem,3 and I shall take him to see some of the remarkable places in the neighborhood. 1. Peter Irving, who lived abroad from 1808 to 1836. See Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-182i, passim. 2. Irving left Paris on May 24 and, after a stay in London and a visit at Bath with Thomas Moore, reached his sister's home on June 19. This letter includes the next letter, to Susan Storrow. 3. Birmingham.

AND

THE

STOBROWS

35

I have intended writing to you ever since my arrival in England but have been so much hurried about that I have not been able to collect my thoughts. I remained in town only seven or eight days, when I found myself getting into such a whirl of engagements that I broke away suddenly and set off for Hampshire. I passed a week at a manor house in the centre of the new forest, riding about and visiting some of the finest woodland scenes in England. 1 From thence I went to Bath to meet Moore 2 (the poet) and his family and attend a grand musical festival. From Bath I accompanied Moore to his cottage in a beautiful part of Wiltshire passed a couple of days with him and then came on here. I have had the happiness of finding my sister and her family all in fine health and spirits and every thing prospering with them. Indeed for some time past fortune seems to have been disposed to make up for the frowns with which she had visited my family; and the good accounts which I receive from those who are dear to me make this one of the serenest periods of my life. When I look back upon the time when the sight of a letter would agitate me, and a footmans rap, was enough to put my nerves in a flutter I feel as if I cannot be thankful enough for the present tranquility of my feelings. I have arranged for the publication of my work with M r Murray on the most satisfactory terms. In1. See Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-182pp. 198-207. 2. This friendship began in 1821. See idem., ix, pp. 190-195, 207210, 228-231.

36

WASHINGTON

IRVING

deed he agreed to the terms I asked in the most prompt and handsome manner — I have sent manuscript to the press but shall not go to London to attend the printing as the proof sheets can be sent to me wherever I may be. I prefer making two or three visits about the country and then returning to Paris where I alread[y] long to be. Whenever I think of Paris I find it is your own dear little family I am thinking of, which is like my home in Paris. Tell the boys, in case they do not receive a letter from their Papa or Mamma — that they are to devote the residue of their time at Paris almost exclusively to the Spanish.1 I have been looking out for my Brother 2 in England as he wrote to me some time since that he should leave Paris on the 13 and come over to England about the 20 th I am at a loss where to write to him, not having heard any thing further from him & the time having lapsed about which he ought to have arrived. I have just received letters from my Brother who I find was to leave Paris on the 16th I am therefore in hopes of seeing him here in the course of a day or two. Charles has been ranging about Birmingham with William3 — The children are all delighted with him, and my Brother & Sister are happy to have the least opportunity of returning in but a trifling way it is true, the thousand kindnesses their Boys have received at your hand[s]. 1. Irving directed the studies of the Storrow children in Spanish and Italian. 2. Peter Irving. 3. Probably William Van Wart, a son.

AND THE STOREOWS re

37

— God keep you my dear M Storrow — remember me affectionately to M r Storrow & Sam — I long to see you all again Yours ever WI. My dear Little lady, I AM a very sad truant to let so long a time elapse without giving my school mistress an account of myself; but you know when we schoolboys once have holy day theres no calculating upon us. I have written to youT mamma an account of my ramblings by which you will perceive I have been pretty much on the move ever since I left sweet, quiet little Auteuil, and I believe I shall continue to be so, until I get back again. I long once more to be in the little garden and hear the nightingales sing; though I suppose they have deserted the green [?] by this time. You must write me an account of all the news of the cottage and the village. Whether any more weddings have taken place; whether Victoria and the monsieur have become reconciled, whether the great picture in the saloon moves at night and how all the canary birds do, for I understand there is quite a large addition to the family. How comes on the little orange tree and the new Kitten. How do you get on in drawing and whether you practice your music frequently. In short tell me everything about home and about yourselves for be assured that though you and Minny are not ladies of great ability you are very interesting princesses in my eyes. Do you recollect your wish one day, to be very distinguished, and your idea that

38

WASHINGTON

IEVING

it must be so pleasant to be stared at and talked of. I t puts me in mind of a story which I'll tell you. There were once two little rose buds that grew in the corner of a garden — in a quiet sheltered corner. One of the buds was half blown the other was as yet only a bud, but it was easy to see that it would in due time make a very personable little flower. At any rate they were quite the ornament and delight of the quiet corner where they grew, and every one who came by there would be quite charmed with them. Unluckily, however, these little flowers got ambitious crotchets in their heads. "Dear me!" said the half blown rose, " I m quite tired of this little out of the way corner; wheres the use of blooming in a mere nook where no body sees one; its all very pleasant here to be sure — but then, to be on yonder Parterre, where all the company walk, that would be something like — and then to be a mere little rose — How I should like to be a sun flower ! " "For my part," said the little bud, " I should like to be a Peony!" The gardener happened to be working hard by and overheard this dialogue, and as the rosebuds were great favorites of his he could not help petting them and indulging their wishes, as far as in his power. He could not make sun flowers and Peonys of them to be sure; but he transplanted them to the Parterre. — " A h " said the half blown rose, — "theres some sense in this — here one can see & be seen — this is something other than vegetating in a corner" — " Y e s " said the little bud perking up, "Ones in sunshine & good company here." The little flowers expanded

AND THE

STORROWS

39

therefore on the parterre, and like all the other flowers, were gazed at, noticed for a moment and then passed by for later novelties. They were exposed to the broad glare of sunshine until all freshness & sweetness were bleached out of them, and then hung neglected & drooping on their stems. "Well, if this is being a flower of distinction" said one, "give me the quiet corner of the garden again." — "Aye said the other, Im sick of sunshine and a crowd. I wish the gardener would take us back to our corner again." The gardener shook his head — No my poor flowers said he, you must now flourish and fade where you are — The charm is gone that made you the ornament and delight of the little retired nook where you once grew — youve been too much in the sunshine, the corner would no longer suit you, nor would you suit the corner. So he left them to wither in the fashionable life of the Parterre. I had meant to write half of this letter to Minny but the story has filled up my sheet so Minny must wait until another time. Give a part of my love to her and keep the rest for yourself I hope to find you both blooming in the little garden at Auteuil when I return and not, like the ambitious little rose buds, longing for notoriety. Your affectionate friend W. I. I shall expect a family budget from you all immediately — direct care of G. S. Newton, No. 41 Great Marlboro' S*. London.

40

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Havre. June 22nd, 1825.1 My dear Storrow, to you on behalf of MT Myers 2 who is confined to bed by a violent fit of the gout, which incapacitates him from writing. He was taken ill this morning after his arrival, and his indisposition has prevented his making the enquiries relative to the terms of shipment &c of the goods. It is not probable that he will be able to leave here for several days & he will write to you previous to his departure. The information you give me of the internal state of your empire is truly distressing. Minny is a second Jack Cade and ought to be made an example of. I approve of M rs Storrows idea of going with an army in pursuit of her. As to Susan I suppose she has taken S' Vitus for a Patron saint ever since the riot at Madam Bonfils — As to the two matrons it is evident they intend to get rid of all government, and when once they have established themselves at Versailles with you at Paris & the Col at London I have no doubt they will declare themselves an independent empire — I shall hasten back with all convenient speed to endeavour to keep up your spirits during your celibacy. I WRITE

1. Irving returned to Paris on August 15, 1824, where he maintained his headquarters until his departure for Bordeaux on September 22,1825. This letter he wrote during a visit to Peter at Havre. 2. An American business man with whom the Irvings had invested funds in the Bolivar copper mines.

AND THE STORROWS

41

My Brother arrived here last night looking extremely well and declaring himself in very good health. We shall remain here a few days, make an excursion or two to see some parts of the adjacent country and then take up our line of march by easy stages for Paris. The journey hither was delightful. We had a pleasant breeze that carried off the dust & kept us cool and the country was delicious. M r and Mrs Myers & my Brother desire to be remembered to you all — Tell Col Aspinwall1 that M r Myers is too unwell to write to him — he desires him not to hurry himself on account of their business, in departing from London I must conclude to save the mail — Give my love to MrB Storrow & the princesses, not even omitting Minny notwithstanding her misdeeds — Give Sam a flogging for me & believe me yours ever WI.

Havre, June 29,1825 My dear M rs Storrow, By a letter from the Bon homme a few days since I received the most satisfactory account of the state of affairs in Rue Faubourg Poissonnière.2 I find Minny, as soon as she found herself at a sufficient 1. Colonel Thomas Aspinwall, for many years Irving's literary agent in London. 8. Storrow's new residence in Paris.

42

WASHINGTON

IRVING

distance has thrown off all allegiance and declared herself an independent empire. This I confess displays a force of character which I had not expected in so small a power. I trust she receives all possible countenance and aid from you in this resolute assertion of her rights. I am happy to hear also that Susan has launched into gay life and enlisted under the banner of Mad. Bonfils — I think you are now fairly entitled to the appellation of Madam Bonnes filles — Now that Susan has got abroad I trust she'll go what's called "a thorough stitch," attend the fetes of the coronation — Hotel de Ville, Italian opera &c &c besides giving soirees on Sunday evenings to all the Lows and Sheldons — But above all I am delighted with the grand confederacy which you & Mad. Aspinwall and the young Princesses have made to remove the seat of Empire to Versailles & send the husbands packing. I think it high time this species of Tyranny should be brought to an end; that wives should be restored to their natural rights and the married state be put on a footing worthy of this enlightened age — My Brother & myself are protracting our visit here in consequence of the solicitations of our kind friends who are doing every thing they can to make our visit agreeable. We have made various excursions about the country which were delightful. Yesterday we visited an old castle about eighteen miles from hence, on the banks of the Seine situated amongst the most beautiful & romantic scenery. Tomorrow we shall go up the Seine in the Steam boat to La Maillerie a

AND THE

43

STORKOWS

magnificent chateau on a point of the river — we return the next day; and propose, if nothing occurs to prevent, to set out on our journey to Paris the beginning of next week. My Brothers health is much improved, but still requires management — He is subject to headaches on the least irregularity of diet &c — M r Myers is still suffering extremely from his attack of what I apprehend to be rheumatic gout, or inflamnatory rheumatism. He is quite helpless and his excellent wife is incessant in her cares & attentions to him — "Les femmes!" as Susan says. I have had letters twice forwarded to me by my trollop1 who is exceedingly anxious that I should write to her, acknowledging their receipt & putting her out of a world of uneasiness lest they should not have come to hand — Will you let your Auguste call & relieve her solicitude, and, at the same time tell her she need not forward any more, as my Brother & myself will return in a few days. Give my love to the Princesses, to Sam, & though last not least the Bonnehomme — and believe me ever Yours truly WI.

P. S. You need not let M r Storrow see this letter. 1. Probably Marianne, the housekeeper in Payne's quarters, which Irving shared.

44

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Havre July 2 d 1825. My dear Storrow, W E SHALL not set off for Paris until Thursday next. My Brother wishes to remain a few days longer to see how a new steamboat 1 operates. I wish to see M r Myers better before I leave Havre, and our friends are all urgent that we should linger a few days longer with them. M r Myers still remains suffering much pain & totally helpless; having no use of either hands or feet. I trust however that the violence of his malady is past and that in a few days he may be able to bear being helped into his carriage — put on board the steam boat & shipped for England, where he is very anxious to arrive. His complaint however is very obstinate and subject to great vicissitudes and severe attacks. It has moved about from one limb to another until every one is disabled. He has received letters to the 5 th of May from his partner in America giving the most satisfactory accounts of the mine 2 and telling him he ought not to sell any shares under 50 £ at least. Several Quintals of copper will be in London, by the Lynx, in this present month, and will present a satisfactory specimen of the produce of the mine. Capt. Malachi, the 1. Peter Irving was still occupied with this disastrous project of a steamship line between Paris and Havre. See Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-18Π, p. 64. 2. The cause of heavy financial losses for both brothers during the years 1825 and 1826. See pp. SO, 63, 90, 93, 117, 127.

AND THE

45

STORKOWS

agent, sent out by the company to work the mine, gives a high opinion of the nature of the ore. Altogether the intelligence is extremely encouraging. When you see Jones 1 1 wish you would hint to him that M r & Mrs Myers are surprised & hurt at not hearing from him for several days in answer to their letters. ΜΓ M has much interesting information to communicate to Jones which he defers until he ascertains by letters from Jones that he is really at Paris. Will you let Auguste call at my lodgings Sunday & Tuesday and get any letters that may happen to be there for me which I will thank you to forward to me here. If you can at the same time drop me a line letting me know how you all are, and whether you have yet been able to quell the rebellion that has broken out in your empire you will greatly add to my gratification — I think that sturdy rebel Minny ought to be made an example of. I would have you keep a sharp look out upon Madame herself — I should not be surprised if she gives private countenance to the insurgents. How is M r Browns 2 health — is he still in Paris? Should you still be in correspondence with the rebels give my love to them all — for after all, you know, this family insurrection is no affair of mine — one must keep on good terms with all parties — Yours ever WI. 1. A friend with whom Irving was intimate in Paris. See Journal of Washington Irring, 1823-1824·, passim. 2. James Brown, in 1823 appointed American Minister to France.

46

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Bey cheville, Oct' 4th 18251 My dear Storrow, we are safely housed in an old Chateau in the midst of the Vineyards of Medoc. Our tour from Paris to Bordeaux was very pleasant and interesting, and the weather, during the whole time, delicious. Fine sunny days, and moonlight nights which were as bright as ordinary days. The scenery through[ou]t our tour was varied and beautiful and has given me a much higher idea of the rural beauties of france than I before entertained. We were delighted with the mountainous regions of Auvergne and the upper Limousin and the chestnut forests of Perigord. We were nine days travelling and after passing three or four days in Bordeaux embarked yesterday morning in the steamboat with M r Gestier 2 for his estate in Medoc, where we arrived in about five hours. We made a great mistake about the vintage, or rather, it took place this year much earlier than usual and has been over, in Medoc for a fortnight. Still we find ample food for curiosity in this region of celebrated Vineyards, and the very establishment which we are visiting is full of interest & amusement. Beycheville is an old French chateau in the midst of an estate of HEBE

1. The two Irvings left Paris on September 22, 1825, for Bordeaux. At this time Irving planned vaguely to visit Spain, but was uncertain how such a journey might be accomplished. Beycheville was the château of Daniel Guestier in the neighbourhood of Bordeaux. 2. Daniel Guestier, a Bordeaux wine merchant. See Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-1821* 'passim.

AND THE

STORROWS

47

the same name, one of the third growth of wines. M r Gestier purchased the Estate lately and has moved to it only within a month; of course he has had no time to do any thing to the house or ground[s], all remain in the state in which their former proprietor left them; and possess so much the more character. I am delighted with the great wide lofty halls & saloons, with tarnished ragged furniture & crazy doors & windows. The great stone terraces & formal gardens, peopled with mutilated statues some of marble some plaster of paris & some earthen ware, and the desolate outhouses enough to garrison an army. The servants are full of stories, not of ghosts but of serpents —• There is one master serpent that haunts a meadow in front of the chateau, which is the talk and terror of the neighborhood which several of the servants profess to have seen; and which for size & length equals the Boa constrictor or the Sea serpent. We have resolved to summon all the chivalry of the chateau, male & female & have a crusade after this monster of the meadow; so tell Susan & Minny to put up prayers for our safety for truly this will be a most desperate piece of Knight errantry. I ought not to forget to mention that Beycheville belonged of yore to the renowned Gaston de Foix, though the chateau has been rebuilt more than once since [his] time. And now having told you this much of our adventures let me know how all goes on in Rue Poissonnière. I h[ope] the princesses conduct themselves well & go on increasing in knowledge and good works.

48

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Has Col Aspinwall arrived, or his family moved into town. I wish to know how mine shares sell; for if there is a chance of disposing of them advantageously, I think I shall let mine be sold, lest it should be inconvenient to my Brother in these times of monied scarcity to furnish the funds. What is the news from America; I am apprehensive of hearing of much disaster there. My Brother within this day or two has been troubled with slight symptoms of his complaint of the head; perhaps the heat & excitement of travelling may have produced it; though I rather attribute it to neglect of proper attention to diet. I trust however a little caution & quiet will set every thing right again. Address to me care of Messra Barton & Gestier Bordeaux. Give my most affectionate regards to the family and believe me ever Yours truly, W. I. P. S. My dear friend ! The whole chateau is in arms. Two serpents have just been killed & the chivalry is in full pursuit of a third. The great serpent is hourly expected — MTS Gestiers english nurse maid insists upon fainting — our situation is extremely obvious ! Bey cheville, Oct. 17th 1825. My dear Storrow, You have quite startled us with the account you give of domestic maladies. Dear-dear little Minny! It

AND THE

STORROWS

49

is well that we knew nothing of her illness until we heard of her recovery; we should otherwise have been in a cruel state of suspense & anxiety. I rejoice to find that Susan & Sam have escaped the danger. I am convinced that it was the small pox and I doubt much of Dr Dumeils [?] judgement in the treatment of it — He keeps his patients too warm and thus increases the violence of the eruption & the risk of being marked. He gave poor Irving 1 a terrible time of it, by the heat of the Bed clothes & warmth of the apartment; and had I not taken great pains & precautions he would have been severely marked for life. I trust from your account that Minny will entirely escape this part of the evil. Bless her sunshiny little round face, I would not have it marred for all the money in my pocket. I shall be anxious to hear of M r s Storrows health, for I fear her nursing & her anxiety will be too much for her delicate frame. The season is so fine that I wish you were for a little time at Auteuil. I am glad to hear that Pere Carter has arrived with his four fair daughters in his hand to enliven you in this time of trouble — You do not say how long he intends to remain; or where or how to dispose of his family. I hope he intends passing the winter. We are still at the old Chateau of Beycheville — We had intended leaving it before this, but the Guestiers wish to shew us a little more of the country, and that we should return to Bordeaux about the same time with them, which will be the beginning of next week, when they intend making a party to 1. Irving Van Wart, whom Irving had nursed through this illness.

50

WASHINGTON

IRVING

shew us the country above Bordeaux where the Vins de france come from. We have visited all the principal Medoc estates and have become quite knowing in the qualities & characters of first wines and their growths — premier & second qualities 1 &c — I have not been in brisk health however from the time of my arrival at Bordeaux. I have had something of a dull bilious affection of the system which has clung to me for more than two weeks past. I have been listless, depressed and without apetite — They ascribe it in some measure to the air of Medoc which is heavy & deficient in elasticity & likewise to the water. This famous wine country is extremely unhealthy & very subject to fevers & agues. The greater part of Μτβ Guestiers household, who have lately removed here, are unwell — I have tried to shake off my own morbid fit by exercise — I have been out repeatedly hunting, as there are two packs of hounds in the neighborhood, but though I have taken violent exercise I do not feel yet reinstated by it — My Brother also has been troubled of late by a partial return of his headaches; but I ascribe it entirely to a want of caution in his diet. I trust when we return to Bordeaux we shall be quite over these little ailments. I regret to hear the Bolivars are so low — I had hoped to realise something from them to pay current expenses. It seems as if all my attempts to strike a little ahead are defeated. I have recd a letter from 1. Irving studied in detail these processes of wine making. See Notebook, 1825, in the New York Public Library.

AND THE

51

STORROWS

Payne by which I find his draft on Price has not been accepted — There is some misunderstanding about this which I will set right with Price. Let the thing be charged to my account & do not call upon Payne for it. It will all come right in the end. The letter which you enclosed me from my sister gives me very pleasant accounts of her family. She put a piece of music with the letter, which Henry had copied for Susan and Ann Louisa — and they all sent a world of love to your family. If you have any letters for me forward them to the same address Mess[rs] Barton & Guestier Bordeaux, as it will be eight or ten days yet before we leave Bordeaux and we shall have time to hear from you. Let me know how you all are. Give our best love to poor dear Minny and charge Susan to take great care of her, & of her mamma and of herself — as to Sam he can take care of himself — Very truly yours WI. 1

2

My kind remembrances to Pere Carter and all his fair Daughters — 1. John Howard Payne, with whom Irving had collaborated in writing plays during the winter of 1828-1824. See Journal of Washington Irving, 1823-1824 passim. 2. Stephen Price, the American theatrical manager.

52

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Bordeaux Oct 31 4 1825 — My dear Storrow, I HAD hoped by this time to have been on the way to Paris, but I can never command my plans and movements. We lingered much longer in Medoc than we had intended and have yet to make our excursion up the river. My Brother too has been troubled with returns of his complaint in the head, though in a slight degree — Still they make a long journey unadvisable until he feels himself more completely reestablished. We are anxious to hear an account of all your healths. You mentioned Susans having a slight cold; there could be no likelihood of its being small pox, so long a time having elapsed from Minnys being seized with it; yet when such a complaint is going about one is apt to feel solicitous. My Brother thinks that Sams fever was a touch of the same malady. I cannot wonder that the Aspinwalls & Carters were fearful of visiting you. This is a terrible malady, which seems to absolve all the common obligations of intimacy. As all risque of contagion, however, must have long been over I trust you have been enlivened by their visits again. I long to see friend Carter and his covy of Partridges. I hope they intend passing the winter in Paris. It will be a great acquisition to an American circle, and an invaluable one to the stock of female intimacies of the young ladies. I have been much out of order the greater part of the time since my arrival at Bordeaux — a loss of

AND THE

STORKOWS

53

appetite, languor & great depression of spirits — I t has been attributed to the difference of climate here — but I partly ascribe it to some bilious cause. The weather has grown cooler & more bracing and I begin to feel myself again; but still I want rousing up. I am endeavoring to get my pen into exercise. I think I should feel better both in health & spirits if I had some literary enterprize on foot. I find after so long an interval the effort is difficult & discouraging. I must make it, however, if it is only from pecuniary motives. I find there is nothing to be gained in looking beyond the pen. The mines are by no means so productive as I expected, and I believe I must content myself with driving my quill in a garret instead of coining the treasures of Mexico & Peru. I fear I have done my brother no good by prompting him to make shipments, as I question whether the anxiety of having property at stake in these perilous times has not worried his mind & contributed to his complaint. However, "time & the hour run through the roughest day." A few months may set all things in sunshine again and drive away these cloudy notions. I believe you are not much in the habit of taking care in to nurse and breeding up imaginary evils — and I withstand the weakness as much as possible but now and then it will get the better of me — I am sorry to hear that you have had a touch of winter [in?] Paris as it must have prevented the family from taking their customary airings; and which are particularly necessary for MTS S and the girls after so much illness and confinement. The weather

54

WASHINGTON

IBVING

here continues mild — we have had a little cool weather but none that could be called positively cold. The country is still verdant. The trees for the greater part in full leaf & have but recently assumed the autumnal tints. This has been a gloriously long summer — and the weather continually delightful. Give my best regards to the Aspinwalls and Carters— I hope M r Sheldon 1 is in better health. My love to M rs Storrow and the girls — I hope to find Minny quite herself again, and that her top knot will be exalted as high as Susans My Brother is out taking a walk or he would send his remembrances — He makes continual mention of you all Yours ever — WI. P. S. We have just received the news of S Williams 2 failure This is quite a thunder clap and stuns one. Do drop a line in the chance of its finding us here. I feel quite bewildered with this news; it seems to throw doubt over every thing. I fear the times in America must be terribly disasterous. 1. An attaché of the American legation in Paris. 2. Samuel Williams, an English banker in Paris.

AND THE

STOBROWS

55

Bordeaux Nov 8th 1825. My dear Storrow, letter has relieved me from much uneasiness on your account, for I was affraid you might have suffered from the failure of our friend M r Williams. We had been made easy with respect to Van Wart by a letter from M r Beasley 1 from London [enclosing?] one which he had just received from my Brother in law in which he informed him that he should not lose a farthing by the failure. Had it happened at any other time it might have been a terrible blow for Van W, but by a fortunate concurrence of circumstances MT Williams was largely in advance to him at the time of stopping payment. Van W will no doubt be considerably inconvenienced for a time by the return of his drafts, but he has ample means, which will soon relieve him from any temporary embarrassment. His letter was like a reprieve to us, for we had suffered three or four days of cruel suspense & anxiety. It was quite a touch of old times & old horrors.2 Really it seems to me one might as well be interested in the fate of Gamblers as Merchants, ones comfort is always at the mercy of chance, and depending upon the turn of a die. This will be an uneasy squally winter in the commercial world, but I trust by spring YOUR

1. Reuben Beasley, American consul at Havre. 2. In 1818 Irving had lived through the bankruptcy of his brothers' firm in Liverpool. His poverty led him to seek his living by the pen, and so to produce The Sketch Book.

56

WASHINGTON

IRVING

it will be fair weather again. I feel quite nervous yet, from the late agitation. My Brother Peter too, whose health of late has been somewhat delicate, was rather harrassed by it; but he seems quite another man since his mind has been put at ease, and I hope a few days quiet and attention to diet will relieve him from his headaches. I am much in my room and in MT Guestiers library occupied in literary matters 1 and endeavouring to put myself en train, but the muse is very shy after being so long neglected, and requires a vast deal of courting. As it is probable we shall linger here some little time longer I will thank you to send me my sisters letter by return of post, as it must contain particularly interesting domestic news. I had a letter from England lately speaking of the intended marriage of ΜΓΒ Patterson with the Marquis of Wellesley, which said that Miss Caton had written to our friend West,2 requesting him to go to Dublin to take a portrait of the Marquis. I hope he has gone, it will get him into a run of fashionable & lucrative patronage. I am rejoiced to hear that you are all once more in good health. Give my love to M rs Storrow and the princesses. I hope they are no longer in Quarantine. It is a sad thing that the girls should become terrors to their [acquaintances. I should never have dreamt of little Minny, of all people, frightening folks from 1. Irving now planned a book of sketches on American life. 2. William Edward West, the artist, who is said to have painted a portrait of Irving.

AND THE

STORROWS

57

the house. I hope Sam behaves himself well and is dutiful and attentive to his sisters. Farewell my dear Storrow. Your letter has been a very comfortable one, both as it respects health and business. I trust all will go well and that we shall all be let off from these various perils with no greater evil than being horribly frightened very truly yours WI.

Bordeaux Dec1 2d -1825 My dear Storrow, suffered a long time to elapse without acknowledging the receipt of your letter, inclosing a bank note of 500 francs for my Brother, but I was sadly out of heart at the time and suffered day after day to slip by without writing. I had received a letter from M r Williams written prior to his failure, on the subject of my guarantee in favor of my brother in America, for 2000 £. This, with perplexities about the mine shares, for which Van Wart had given acceptances, bewildered my brain, unaccustomed as it is to pecuniary transactions — As the pittance I possess in the world is all in America, and at the mercy of events, I felt for a time like one who has his all tossing on the sea in a storm, and could not sleep at nights for fancying a thousand evils. At length I took to my pen as a resource and went doggedly to work; by dint of perseverance I turned my thoughts I HAVE

58

WASHINGTON IRVING

into a literary channel, and have continued to occupy myself ever since. I find my mind greatly relieved in consequence, and trust I may be able to turn my labour to profitable account hereafter. Under the circumstances I dare not shift my residence at present, lest I throw myself out of the vein of composition and have a recurrence of all the gloomy thoughts that almost unmanned me. I am living here at very small expense and very quietly; visiting but two or three families and never interrupted by visits and engagements; whereas were I to come to Paris, I should lose some time in fixing myself to my mind and should encounter a thousand distractions, which in my present state of mind & spirits would be overwhelming. I shall continue here for the present, therefore, and endeavor to accumulate a mass of writing sufficient to form the ground work of a publication. When I once see a little capital of manuscripts growing under my hand I shall feel like another being and shall be relieved from a thousand cares and anxieties that have haunted my mind for a long time past. The greatest regret I feel at protracting my return is the absence from your family, if I had your fireside here to resort to I could give up Paris without another thought; but I feel sadly the want of the family circle, especially in the evenings. I long for this winter to wear away, as I look forward to the spring to bring tranquil times and tranquil thoughts again; by that time I trust the present storm in the commercial world will have passed away, and we shall all be able to take an observation and find where we are.

AND THE

STORKOWS

59

rs

Give my love to M Storrow and the dear little princesses not forgetting my friend Sam. I hope the girls look now and then into their Spanish books. Tell Susan I have been reading a great deal of Italian lately, 1 having found a complete set of the Italian classics in M r Guestiers library I wish when you write to me next you would send me one thousand francs, as my money begins to run short. If this letter should find you at Lyons dont trouble yourself about the money until you return to Paris as I am not immediately in want. Very truly yours Washington Irving. P. S. My Brother wishes you to send him one of his trunks of which he gives the following description "A short, wide and high black leather portmanteau trunk with a patent lock, and without straps excepting to the leather covering of the lock." It is marked Ρ Irving, and must have been sent to your house the day after our departure as it was forgotten when the other trunks were sent.* At the same time I wish you would send me a small black leather portmanteau with my name on it and marked Papers It is the smallest of the two portmanteaux marked with my name. I wish very much to have some writings that are in it, but have continually put off sending for it expecting to leave 1. Irving began the study of Italian in 1804, and resumed it in Dresden in 1823.

60

WASHINGTON IRVING

Bordeaux. I now want it extremely to enable me to pursue some writing on which I am busy. Send the trunks by the Dilligence and direct them to us.

Rue Rolland No 2b- à Bordeaux.

* My Brother is anxious you should pay particular attention to the description of the trunk, lest some other one should be sent in mistake. He is affraid of having a large trunk studded with brass nails sent him; which it seems is his lumber trunk and would bury him in Rubbish.

Bordeaux Decr 25* 1825. A MERRY christmas to you my dear Storrow, and to all your family; I would give a great deal more money than I can afford, to spend the day among you. Tell Sam I hold myself his debtor for a Christmas tale which I will pay him faithfully when next we meet; whatever may be the season. The trunks came safe to hand and so did the letter with the money, for both which I return you many thanks. When I wrote for the money I forgot to mention that I did so on the presumption that the bill on M r Williams for 200 £ was only paid, as it fell due a few days before his failure. I am rejoiced to hear that you have not been injured by this storm which is spreading such disaster through the commercial world. We have received within the last week a letter from Van Wart which has relieved us from great anxiety on account both of him and of my brother in New York. Van Wart on balancing his books finds himself worth between

AND THE

STORKOWS

61

nineteen and twenty thousand pounds, and as my brother is his principal and indeed almost his only Debtor, he feels secure of payment. He has but about 2500 £ besides owing him in America. The bad state of the market however and the uncertainty of credit prevent my brother from selling his goods and remitting, but as not above 5 per cent of the usual amount of hardware is shipping for spring trade Van Wart anticipates that the demand will be good and prices fair early in the spring. He looks forward therefore to being thawed out in the spring, in the mean time he must content himself with being icebound for the winter, and must endeavour to make his creditors in England content also. As his bills on M r Williams will be falling back upon him he will of course have puzzling times; but he has an active cheerful spirit that will carry him through manfully. My brother in New York will have the worst of it ultimately; as he will have to run the risk of bad debts & bad bills, but I trust he will work his way through without serious loss, especially as he has abstained from selling of late, and of course has his capital for the greater part in his warehouse. I had been aifraid of hearing that he had every thing abroad in the storm. I have no news to give you from this quarter. I have been scribbling away until my brain was weary and I was getting out of order, so I have thrown by the pen for a little while to take air & exercise when I shall resume it. Whether I have been writing to any pecuniary profit or no I cannot say, but it has

62

WASHINGTON

IRVING

occupied my mind in a moment of uneasiness, and has driven off anxious thoughts. Indeed, from long habit my mind requires to mount the pen occasionally as an old huntsman requires to be occasionally on horseback, even though he hunts to no purpose. Tell M r 3 Storrow I am glad to hear such good accounts of the young ladies from such impartial authority as herself. If I find them improved in Spanish on my return they shall each have a book as a premium and be placed at the head of the class. When you see the ten tribes of the children of Carter remember me cordially to them all. I wish to have another trunk sent to me. I t is a black portmanteau, with my name on it and marked Clothes. I find the small stock I brought with me from Paris begin to be the worse for wear and I cannot afford to buy new. As the carriage per Diligence is rather high you can send it by the roulage acceleree.1 I am sorry to give you so much trouble about my trumpery — but you know I give you all my business and your best friends can do no more. My Brother desires to be kindly remembered to you all, with my love to M ra Storrow & the princesses I am dear Storrow Yours truly W I. P. S. Mrs. Storrow has the key of the portmanteau which may be sent with it. P. S. 2d In the portmanteau trunk there are some sheets, and a pacquet of silver spoons forks &c for I. "Ply-wagon," i. e., by express.

AND THE

STORROWS

63

which I have no occasion; if these could be taken out, and the eight or nine first volumes of Calderón 1 marked Comedias put in their place it would greatly rejoice me. The exchange is easily made as the volumes of Calderón are on the top of a white wooden box marked Italian & Spanish books of which M rfl Storrow has the key. I dare say she could be prevailed on to attend to it. I want only the first 8 or nine vols — as to the rest which are marked Autos2 on the back, they may remain.

Bordeaux Feby 3d 1826. My dear Storrow, I AM glad to hear by your letter to my Brother, that you are according to the common phrase, "all alive & kicking," at least that you were preparing to kick at M r e Welles Ball. This must have been a great affair for the princesses, for I hope Minny was of the party. The carnival has been kept up very gaily here, and notwithstanding all my disposition to keep quiet I have been carried off my legs by it two or three times. I hope you have not been disappointed about the shipments from the mines. I am quite in the dark with respect to my shares; whether Jones has cancelled the bargain, or whether they have been transferred to my Brother in Law, or whether they have been sold to my loss. Indeed I am in utter dark1. Long extracts from Calderón occur in Irving's Notebook, 1825. 2. Autos sacramentales, Calderón's religious writings.

64

WASHINGTON IRVING

ness as to the state of my poor affairs altogether; for I get no letters either from England or America. I have written a little more lately, but have nothing in forwardness for publication & shall not in all probability have any thing original for some time to come, but a job has suddenly presented itself which seems like a godsend. I received a letter from M r Everett 1 about three days since informing me that the Voyage of Columbus was in the press at Madrid, compiled from his own papers by the celebrated Bishop Las Casas, and composed in part of his own Journal.2 M r Everett proposed to me to come in & undertake a translation of it into English, as they wished to have it done by an American. It will make two octavo volumes and being of a nature to excite great attention particularly in England & America, a round price might be obtained for a translation. My Brother seemed struck with the thing and offered to assist me if necessary — so I have agreed to undertake it. I have written to England to offer the work to Murray,3 and in the mean time shall set off immediately with my Brother for Madrid, to attack it tooth & nail. As the work is nearly through the press I shall have to drive hard at it, to prevent competition, and have ordered it to be announced in England as pre1. See p. 18, footnote 1. 2. Don Martin Fernández de Navarrete, Colección de los viages y descubrimientos, que hicieron por mar los Españoles desdefines del siglo XV, Madrid, 1825. 3. Murray's lack of enthusiasm for a translation was partly responsible for Irving's change in attitude toward his project, described in the subsequent letters.

From the portrait by Vicente Lopez, in the possession Navarrete, at Logroño, Spain.

of the family of

AND THE STORROWS

65

paring for publication by me; to keep others from pouncing upon it, as soon as it appears in Madrid. I hope to get it ready for the latter [?] Spring market,1 which is the great literary season in London — When I get through the job I shall make a visit to the southern parts of Spain & return into France either by water to Marseilles or along the Mediterranean shore. At least such is my present idea, formed in the hurry of the moment. This thing has come upon me so suddenly that it has thrown me quite in a flurry; but I think it will turn out a good thing, and at any rate it will keep us going until brighter times turn up. I am gratified at its animating effects upon my Brother after the gloomy times we have had. — I shall draw from here on M r Wiggins 2 for the 50 £ and trust we shall be able to get along with our present funds until I hear from America, where I have written some time since for a supply of ways & means. However if I make a good bargain for my translation in London I shall be quite flush. Thus we drive about at the mercy of chance and circumstance How little did I dream when 1 left Paris, of these squalls and cross purposes that were to produce such worry and perplexity. And how little did 1 dream a week since that Spain, the country I have been so long wishing to see, but into which I feared I should never get a peep, should be the very port into which the first whiff of good luck should 1. Irving's book did not appear until 1828. 2. Timothy Wiggins, a banker in Paris.

66

WASHINGTON

IKYING

blow me. I hope to come out of it stored with materials for future meditation and occupation. You talk of going to England. I hope if you do so you will be led by your business as far as Birmingham so as to pay a visit to my sisters family. Had I returned to Paris I should have been tempted to accompany you for I long to see them all. I have made acquaintance here with Moratin,1 the most celebrated Spanish dramatic writer of the present day. He is an old gentleman of amiable & simple manners, and is living here in a kind of exile, having been of the wrong party in politics. His comedies are charming — At least as far as I have read in them, and you had better purchase a copy of them as they are published in paris in Spanish. I think the girls will like them, and they will be pleasant exercises in the language. Tell them not to let the language slip out of their memories. I will look out for some books for them in Spain, and whoever is head of the class shall have the first choice. When you write to me direct to the care of Mess™ Barton & Guestier Bordeaux — in case of departure the letter will be forwarded. Give my love to Mrs Storrow and the princesses, and my respects to Sam — I hope yet to come back to Paris with money in both pockets & then well laugh over past troubles — Yours ever,

W. I. 1. Leandro Fernández de Moratin (1760-1828), son of Nicolas Fernández de Moratin (1737-1780). His El sí de las niñas, of which Irving was particularly fond, was first produced on January 24, 1806.

AND THE

STORROWS

67

Madrid Feb* 25th 1826. 1 My dear Storrow, letter of the 8th inst, with one inclosed from Susan came safe to hand, and gratified us greatly. I cannot thank you sufficiently for your most kind offer with respect to funds, but I hope before long to hear from America & to have my money matters put in such order as not to require any advances. We arrived here about ten days since after a pretty speedy journey of five days from Bordeaux. I have not commenced the work relative to Columbus, nor shall I until I have an answer from England, which I must receive very soon, as I wrote on the subject from Bordeaux nearly three weeks since. The work will make two quarto volumes. The narrative of Las Casas forms but part of the first volume; the rest of the work consists of a series of Documents. These are interesting from their authenticity & from settling many points hitherto in dispute. They present the most complete body of facts hitherto laid before the world, relative to the voyages of Columbus. The work therefore will be indispensible to every complete library. It will not, however, be so attractive to the generality of readers as a historical digest would have been. I shall not venture to publish it therefore on my own account in America, and, unless YOUR

1. Irving, with his brother Peter, left Bordeaux on February 10, 1826, and arrived in Madrid on February 15. He was to remain in Madrid for more than two years.

68

WASHINGTON

IRVING

some bookseller there will make an offer to purchase the translation I must depend upon the english publishers entirely for my remuneration. I have asked 1000 guineas for the translation, if they do not come to my price I will not undertake the work; as it would require much time & labour, both of which I could employ more profitably & pleasantly. This is between ourselves, as I do not wish to dampen public expectation with respect to the work, in case I should undertake it. We have very pleasant lodgings in the house of the American consul; he is a great collector of books for the London market & I am surrounded by everything rare in Spanish literature.1 I had no idea of the literary wealth of the language. I shall therefore have enough to occupy me for some time in reading & in looking about me, and if the spirit should chance to move me, I shall not want materials for my pen, even if I give up the translation of Columbus. I do not wish however to awaken any expectations, knowing how uncertain my literary impulses are, & I shall use the idea of the translation as a cure either for idleness or occupation. MT Everett has attached me to the Legation and introduced me to the diplomatic circle, among whom I found old acquaintances in the Saxon Minister & his lady. In a few days I am to be presented to the King.2 All this gives facilities in observing manners & character, and as there is very 1. Obadiah Rich, book collector and bibliographer, then American consul at Madrid. 2. Irving was presented to Ferdinand VII on March 18,1826.

AND THE

8TORROWS

69

little dissipation in Madrid and scarcely any such thing as driving out, I shall not be much interrupted by engagements. The most common mode of visiting is in a sociable way in the evening; and some fashionable people have their tertullias or soirees on stated evenings in the week, when they receive their acquaintances with a little more ceremony & preparation. I must refer you for further particulars to the inclosed letter to Susan; which, as it was to be inclosed, I have left without direction, so as to have more space for scribbling. I inclose a letter introducing Thomas 1 to my Brother in New York; & must now conclude, that this letter may be in time for the French ambassador's courier, & so keep free of postage — I shall drop you a line from time to time, when a similar opportunity presents — It is possible your son Thomas may meet with Henry Van Wart at New York. He is to go out there instead of Irving, & to remain there about a year & half; when Irving will take his place. I should like them to meet and become acquainted with each other. I am my dear Storrow yours ever WI. 1. Storrow's son.

70

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Madrid Feb. 26th, 1826. Worthy little lady, I AM quite delighted to have such pleasant accounts of you, under your own hand and seal. Bless us! what a gay life you are leading! two balls in one evening, and soirees "at discretion" And so you seem to think I would shake my head at all this dissapation were I in Paris, but you are mistaken. Although I have grown somewhat of a wise and sober old gentleman and, by dint of having danced and soireed until I have fairly exhausted all relish for such amusement can now exclaim that it is all vanity and vexation of spirit, yet I am not for regulating other peoples tastes by my palate. I believe you and Minny to be two very reasonable discreet princesses that may be intrusted to your own inclinations in these matters, and if you were not, I believe you are in excellent hands to guide you, and may safely indulge in all the dissipation that your papa and mamma permit. Therefore dance away whenever you have a chance and trust to age to make you, in the fullness of time, as wise as your neighbors, in these matters. Poor Minny! "How she must feel" to be obliged to keep in the nest, while you are fluttering abroad; but she must keep up a good heart, her time will come sooner than yours did, for the younger sister always gets into company at an earlier age than the eldest. And now, as you may want to

AND THE

STORKOWS

71

know something of travelling in Spain I will give you a brief sketch of our journey. We came from Bordeaux to Bayonne in the dilligence, in about thirty hours, travelling day and night. We left Bayonne in about three hours in the Spanish Dilligence and in a little while found ourselves in old Spain. We got to Madrid in four days from leaving Bayonne; stopping every night to sleep; though we were allowed but a few hours rest, being generally wakened about two oclock in the morning to resume our route. As the route from Bayonne to Paris is more travelled than most others in the kingdom it is better in point of accommodations. The dilligence is very comfortable the road good & the Inns better than I had expected. On most of the roads in Spain you are obliged to travel on mules. We met with no robbers, but occasionally, on setting off in the night we had three or four foot soldiers for escort, who scampered ahead of the carriage and kept pace with the horses. In some of the lonely & mountainous parts of the road there are soldiers stationed to escort the diligence, and who likewise escort private carriages for a small recompence. We were very much pleased with the early part of our road, in Biscay and Alava, there were some fine wild mountain scenes, the towns were very picturesque and peculiar, the peasants remarkable in their dresses and many of them of fine countenances; but old and new Castile are dreary in the extreme. Great arid wastes, without a tree; no farm houses, nor pleasant villages; but here and there little dirty hamlets, consisting of clay

72

WASHINGTON

IRVING

built hovels. You are right in supposing every Spaniard to have a cloak thrown over his shoulder. There is scarcely a beggar in the land that has not his mantle. The color generally is a dirty brown, or rust, and patched and ragged in the extreme. In Castile they wore a sugar loaf cap of the same cloth & colour; and when one of these hidalgos has his mantle thrown over his shoulder and his montera 1 cap on his head he is a perfect pyramid of rags. In the cities the better classes wear blue cloaks. The streets of Madrid swarm with groups, lounging about in the sunshine, every one wrapped up in this manner; though the sun, in this cloudless climate is very powerful even at present. As to the Daggers you may set your mind at ease on that score, the wearing of all weapons of the kind, as well as pistols, being prohibited. The ladies when walking the streets are generally clothed in black, especially in summer, (in winter various colors are permitted in walking but in summer none but black) They wear no hats, but a mantilla of black silk thrown over the head and falling round the shoulders, and invariably a fan. They have large fans for summer, to ward off the sun, & small fans for winter. I n the graceful management of the mantilla, and the coquettish flirting of the fan, they are extremely accomplished, foreign ladies are as maladroit in these particulars as foreign gentlemen are in wearing the mantle & throwing it gracefully over the left shoulder. I have got nearly to the end of my paper and of my time, and yet I have given you 1. Cloth cap.

AND THE

STORROWS

73

but few particulars about this curious country; but when I have seen more I will give you more particular accounts. We have very pleasant apartments at our consuls. Our rooms are on the ground floor of a great Spanish house. We are remote from the street, with our windows opening onto a small garden; surrounded on three sides by the house. I t is as still as a cloister, excepting that we have now and then the bell of a neighboring convent ringing for prayers. The trees in the garden are already beginning to bud; though the spring is not as early here as in some of the other parts of Spain owing to the elevated situation of Castile and the neighborhood of a chain of snow capd mountains ; but the sky is as clear and cloudless and of as deep a blue as our sky in America, and I have not seen such brilliant moonlight since I have been in Europe — I am glad to hear that you and Minny do not neglect your Spanish. I t is a fine language, and both the language & literature will be more and more studied & appreciated. You will find the plays of Moratin very easy and very pleasant. El si de las Niñas is really charming and so is another, called I think El viejo y la niña. I have not read any others of his writing. Give my love to Minny, and tell her my next letter shall be to her; in which I will give further details about what I see & learn in my travels. I am glad to hear that the Laughyets prove such pleasant acquaintances — You say nothing of the Carters. I hope they form a part of your pleasant winter circle of intimates.

74

WASHINGTON

IBVING

Congratulate Sam on his recovery, I shall have some rare stories to tell him when we meet. My brother desires to be affectionately remembered to you all. Give my affectionate regard to your Mother & beg her to keep you all in good order and believe me my dear Susan Very truly your friend, Washington Irving.

Madrid, March 15th 1826. My dear Storrow I TAKE this opportunity of a Courier sent by the french minister to forward some letters for my Brother 1 in New York, which I will thank you to send to Havre when next you send a parcel. We have nothing particularly new to communicate. The Booksellers will not offer for the voyage of Columbus, they fear it may be dry, and as unluckily it is so in a superlative degree, I fear there is nothing to be done with it. I have the five volumes at present in my possession. They would make two stout Quartos, and are almost entirely made up of Documents which none but an historiographer would have appetite to devour or stomach to digest. I must turn my attention therefore to something else. Letters from my Brother in Ν York have relieved me from much anxiety on his account as well as that 1. Ebenezer Irving.

AND THE

STORROWS

75

of Van Warts, with whom his interests are so completely involved. They will weather the storm I trust without material damage. I have written to him to remit some money to you on my account; so that in case I have to draw upon you according to your kind offer, the money will be soon replaced. We are enjoying the most brilliant weather, we have now been in Madrid a month. The first day there was a little rain. Since that time the sky has been absolutely cloudless. The trees are all in blossom & putting out their young leaves and the middle of the day is uncomfortably warm in the sun. The Spaniards begin to leave off their cloaks at midday; which I believe they generally do in the spring. Toward summer they put them on again to keep out the heat. News has just arrived of the Death of the King of Portugal, and Couriers are starting in all directions. Give my affectionate remembrances to M r s Storrow and the Girls and keep a tight rein upon Sam — Yours ever — W. I.

Madrid, March 30th 1826. My dear Storrow, I HAVE this day drawn on you at thirty days sight in favor of M r Wiseman, Banker of this City for twenty five hundred francs. I drew on M r Timothy Wiggins, on the 23d of last month, at thirty days after date, in

76

WASHINGTON IRVING

Mr

favour of Balnaseda [?] Banker of this place for the Fifty pounds which you informed me were lying in his hands subject to my draft. Not being an exact man of business I neglected to advise M r Wiggins of my having drawn on him & he being an exact man of business refused to accept my Draft, for want of advice. This I presume is all right but, it might have put me all in the wrong had I not better credit here than I deserve. If M r Wiggins declines paying my draft when at maturity I wish you would have the fifty pound[s] in his hands passed to your credit. I wrote to my brother in New York lately to remit you some money on my account; so that I trust you will soon be repaid any money you may be in advance to me. I had a letter from Van Wart lately, who seems to have escaped miraculously through a thousand perils — there have been failures in every direction but he has not lost a farthing by any of them. His own Banker in Birmingham failed but Van Wart was in his Debt — He has been assisted by advances from a house in Liverpool so as to be able to execute his orders, keep together his connexions and keep the pot boiling in the worst of times, — and now he finds matters growing easier & easier every day and a prospect of fair weather ahead. Henry Van Wart sets sail from Liverpool the first of April, for New York. I hope he may arrive there in time to see your son Tom; I should like them to become well acquainted. The Secretary of Legation M r Smith arrived here a few days since & gave news of you all, having been

AND THE S T O R R O W S

77

at your house an evening or two before his departure I envied him his evening visit; or rather I wish you could all be here and take a sociable walk about sundown in the gardens of the Retiro, which is the pleasantest spot about Madrid, commanding a fine prospect and enjoying the most pure and delicate air. I continue up to the ears in Spanish, and have not yet given up my idea of doing something with the work concerning Columbus; though it is very voluminous and husky. Something however may probably be done with it; and I am turning and turning it over and considering it. A gloom has been cast over our little circle of intimates by news received by M r Everett of the death of a younger Brother. It has given him great affliction, and in fact I have not seen him since he received the intelligence, as he denies himself to everybody. My Brother & myself are still quartered at our consuls, where we shall remain all the time that we pass at Madrid. It is a most retired, quiet and delightful residence considering that it is in the very midst of a metropolis; but Madrid is a quiet city in comparison with others. There is no din of carts [?] and carriages; the number of equipages are inconsiderable, and every thing is transported thro' the streets by either mules or porters. Spain really equals all my expectations as to the peculiarities of the country and the people. It is quite unlike the rest of Europe and is full of strong characteristic traits. I am scribbling by twilight and can no longer see

78

WASHINGTON

IRVING

r

the letters which I trace. M Colt leaves this [place?] for Paris in a few days & I will write again by him. Give my affectionate remembrances to M r s Storrow & the family. Tell the girls to be good girls, to keep up their Spanish and Italian and to dance whenever they have an opportunity With my best regards to Sam I am very truly Yours ever Washington Irving. M y Brother desires to be cordially remembered to you all

Madrid, April 14, 1826. M y dear Storrow, I HAVE just received yours of 20 th & 23d ult. & as I hear of an opportunity that sets off in the morning I will scribble a reply as it will cost nothing. I intimated in my last that I had not altogether given up Columbus: Since then I have been reading & thinking & writing on the subject, and have brought matters into such a shape as to make up my plan and my mind; and to feel sanguine of effecting what I propose. I t is my intention to write " t h e life and voyages of Columbus." I have sketched out some of the most difficult parts; have collected all the most important works, and have ascertained what I shall require & where to look for it. I am singularly well placed for this precise work. Our consul M r Rich

AND THE

STORROWS

79

has for a long time been a collector of rare works, particularly in Spanish literature. This pursuit he has adopted from an early taste, and he has of recent years made it a source of great profit, by supplying the Bibliomaniacs of London with the rich spoils of Spanish literature. He has been intent among other things upon forming a collection of historical documents, printed & in mss. relative to America. His house is crammed with books of the most interesting kind, such as could only be found scattered in national libraries. All these are as absolutely at my command as though they were my own, and he is eager to procure me any thing else that I may have occasion for. The Books which Robertson was years in collecting are all within my reach. 1 I have but to ask for a work of reference, however curious & I have it immediately. I have access to the manuscripts, from which Navarette has compiled his work just published, and many of which it would be almost impossible to procure out of Madrid. I shall form my narrative from a careful comparison & collation of the works of Las Casas & Columbus' son Fernando, both founded on Columbus Journal — and shall at the same time make use of Oviedo, who lived in Columbus time & in fact all the old Spanish writers. I have the various works relative to the subject in Italian, French &c. I am in fact surrounded by works of the kind. I shall endeavour to make it the most complete and authentic account of Columbus 1. William Robertson, the Scottish historian, whose writings Irving was to use in preparing his new work.

80

WASHINGTON IRVING

& his voyages extant and, by diligent investigation of the materials around me, to settle various points in dispute. It will require great attention hard study & hard work, but I feel stimulated to it, and encouraged by the singular facilities which are thrown in my way. I want to do something that I must "take off my coat to." If I can achieve what I propose to myself I shall not think time trouble nor labour mis[s]pent, however little money I may make. As I do not wish expectations to be awakened, however, I let it be supposed that I am busied with the translation. My brother will be of much assistance to me in my researches, and in the examination and collation of facts & dates, about which I mean to be scrupulously attentive & accurate, as I know I shall be expected to be careless in such particulars & to be apt to indulge in the imagination. I mean to look into every thing myself, to make myself master of my subject and to endeavour to produce a work which shall bear examination as to candour & authenticity. I drew on you not long since at thirty days sight for one hundred pound[s], in favour of M r Wiseman Banker of this place — We continue to be very much pleased with Madrid. The weather is cloudless & delightful; the little garden before our windows in full verdure & the roses beginning to bloom. I am quite undisturbed by society: never dine out except now & then at M r Everetts and have no evening parties to molest me. A walk about sundown in the beautiful garden of the Retiro, is our evenings re-

AND THE S T O R K O W S

81

freshment, after which we generally take tea with the family of M r Rich, in the other wing of the house, and go to roost before ten oclock. As this is the year of Jubilee all the theatres are closed, & will remain so until the latter part of May; so that there is amusement of no kind to tempt us abroad. Give my love to M r3 Storrow and the princesses and my respects to Sam. I hope the girls had a fair opportunity to shew their bonnets and their best looks under them at the fete of Longchamps. As to the bonnets I will say nothing, but as to the faces under them 1 might say something if I dared to speak my mind freely on the subject — however thats neither here nor there — so believe me as ever Yours truly W. I.

Madrid, June 12\ 1826. My dear Storrow, I AM sorry to find by your letter that the times continue out of joint and that you have to give up the country this year. I had hoped to hear you were all among the nightingales of Auteuil before this time. What a pity it is we could not contrive a rail way for fortunes wheel and keep it always rolling onward. I find Myers goes or has already gone to America; I hope your affairs in that quarter do not suffer by the death of his partner. I am told Myers has been making money in spite of the hard times; I shall be

82

WASHINGTON

IRVING

glad if it is the case both on his own account and on the account of others. Tom will soon be with you; do let me know something about him when he arrives. I would give any thing to be of the family party on the occasion. Let me know if he met with Henry, 1 or saw any thing of my Brother & his family in New York. I have been extremely tantalized of late. A letter came straggling to the Legation here addressed to a nephew of mine, Pierre M Irving,2 son of my deceased brother William, by which I first received intimation of his being in Europe. As the letter had been directed to the care of our consul at Gibraltar I wrote to him for information & found by his reply that my nephew arrived in Spain last autumn on his way to Italy, but changed his mind & past the winter in Cadiz and Seville. Where he is at present I cannot learn or whether he has left Spain. I am surprised that my relations in New York though they have written to me since his departure have never mentioned it. Should he come to Paris and you hear of him pay him attentions for my sake. He has grown up since I left New York; He was a very promising boy and I am told is very clever and very amiable. There can be very little chance of his being still in Spain & I have to give up the hope of meeting with him. It grieves me excessively for the idea of meeting with a relative and one of the young stock in which I feel such great interest, had quite occupied my thoughts for several days after receiving the letter. 1. Henry Van Wart, Irving's nephew. 2. Irving's first biographer.

AND THE STORROWS

83

I am absolutely fagged and exhausted with hard work. For nearly three months I have been occupied incessantly with my work; sometimes all day & a great part of the night in defiance of all the rules I had set myself and at the risk of my health. I never worked so hard, nor so constantly for such a length of time; but I was determined not to stop until I had made a rough draft of the whole work. I have succeeded in so doing. To finish it up and make all the necessary additions, amendments & illustrations will be a work of time & labour. How it will please the world I cannot say; it is so much in the rough that I have not as yet shewn it even to my brother — one person I am sure of not pleasing — which is myself. I am excellently well situated for hard work. No body interrupts me — I dine no where, excepting about once a fortnight at M r Everetts, and sometimes I do not go out for three days at a time excepting to walk in the little garden before my windows. I see there is a notice in the American papers of my being employed on the translation of the life of Columbus I hope they will anticipate nothing more. My Brother desires to be affectionately remembered to you all — I must leave room for my letters to the Princesses — Yours ever —. W Irving.

84

WASHINGTON

IRVING

[ M a d r i d , J u n e 2 1 , 1 8 2 6 ?]' My dear Susan, I AM glad you have seen my friends M r Rich and his little son John. I hope you exercised your Spanish with the latter, who knows that language better than he does English. You do well to take lessons in this language. After the progress that you and Ann Louisa had made the difficulties were conquered and it would be easy to add the language to the list of your accomplishments — and a knowledge of the Spanish at the present day is an accomplishment of some importance, particularly to an American lady. The more I know of the language the more I like it. The theatres are now open and I go to them occasionally. The Spanish language on the stage is sonorous and musical. It is not so soft and sweet as the Italian but it is more majestic. My Brother and myself have been with M r & M rs Everett at Aranjuez, a place about twenty miles from here, which like Versailles is a Royal country residence. The gardens there are delicious; surpassing in freshness and verdure those of Versailles, the trees of immense size and magnificent vegetation. It is in a valley watered by the Tagus, and lying in the midst of this arid, treeless country of Castile, appears delicious from 1. This letter is undated, but bears the postmark, Madrid, June 22, 1826. It comprises two letters, one to Susan and another to Minny written in red ink at right angles across the face of the former. See illustration facing p. 86.

AND T H E

STORKOWS

85

contrast as well as from its real beauty. The gardens are filled with nightingales which sing throughout the day. My brother and myself were continually wishing for our little party of last summer, with which we went palace hunting. I have heard no nightingale however to surpass our little friend who used to pipe so sweetly in the evenings at Auteuil. Nor have I seen any thing to surpass the beautiful forest scenery in Compiegne and other parts of our last summers tour. How I should like to make that tour over again; with the same party. Or how I should like that we could make such a family party in our tour through the southern & eastern provinces of Spain. You do not say whether the Carters have returned to England or America. I think I have heard the former. I regret extremely that I shall not be likely to see them again before they depart for America. Before long you will have your Brother with you — How I should enjoy the meeting; I can imagine how he & you & Minny will stare at each other & wonder at the difference a few years have produced. You will now have a cavalier at your command and no longer dependent upon Mamma for your morning walks. You do not tell me any thing of your dinings out, your balls and soirées: I hope you have had a pleasant entrée dans le grand monde, and find it the fairy land you anticipated. To you it cannot but be delightful, as you have such excellent guardians to prevent your venturing into it so far or so often as to break the charm or to destroy the simplicity of your own tastes & habits.

86

WASHINGTON

IRVING

farewell — may you be as happy as you are good I cannot make you a better wish — WI. My dear Minny, filled up the letter to your Father & Susan I have nothing left but to write you a letter across the paper, taking care not to make it a cross letter. I wish you would have yourself measured and let me know your height that I may know how to address you, for I apprehend by this time you are a woman grown and expect to be treated with due deference. I long for M r Richs return to have a particular account of you all. I trust on his way back to Spain he will visit you all again at Paris. He is a very worthy amiable man. His family is a pleasant one. He has two daughters, one between fifteen and sixteen the other about fourteen, whom I think you would be pleased with. They speak Spanish almost entirely, though they can both speak English also. Indeed Spanish is the language spoken by the family among themselves, so that I have continual experience in the language without stirring out of the house. I hope while you and Susan are studying Spanish you do not suffer the Italian to be idle. You must take care to read something in Italian every day if it is only a page, and to speak it occasionally by which means you will keep it in mind. You should read Tasso through. When I was at Paris you seemed to be discouraged with the difficulty of understanding it, but that should be an inducement for you to persist until HAVING

FACSIMILE OF A PAGE OF A DOUBLE LETTER SUSAN AND MINNY (In the Harvard University

STORKOW Library)

TO

AND THE S T O R R O W S

87

you can comprehend the most difficult passages with facility. None of you have ever given me any intelligence of the success of M r Bartram in America. I am anxious to hear whether he met with patronage at Boston and whether his family has gone out to join him. Tell your father to inform me when next he writes. Has Edward gone to New York, and has Smith returned to Paris? I want to know every thing about every body I have been accustomed to see by the home fireside at Paris. Give my love to your Mamma. I intend to write to her soon if it is only to draw from her a letter in reply I am my dear Minny your affectionate friend WI.

Madrid July 9th 1826 My dear Storrow, I HAVE just drawn on you at thirty days sight in favor of M r Wiseman of this place for One hundred Pounds. I presume before the draft falls due you will receive a remittance from my Brother in New York. As I shall have occasion however to avail myself of your intermediate assistance in money matters, having no Banker at Present in London or Paris, I have written to M r Van Wart by this post to make an arrangement by which you can draw either on him or his Banker in London for any amount you may at any time be in advance to me, and have desired him to advise you of the same. My nephew, Pierre M Irving arrived in Madrid

88

WASHINGTON

IRVING

about three weeks since; but did not know of our being here until a week after his arrival when he applied to M r Everett for his passport. I was overjoyed to see him; and am much pleased with him. He has stuff in him to make a valuable man. Good sense, good feelings, good principles, a manly deportment and becoming modesty. He was admitted to the bar shortly before leaving America; when he had such a strong desire to see Europe that he determined to gratify it, travelling on a plan of the strictest economy. He set off with a young companion about his own age; one who is so extremely shy that I have not been able to get him to call on me. They have been detained for a considerable time at Seville by my nephews falling ill, which accounts for their not arriving here sooner. This illness & detention has made a great inroad into their economical plan. I do not wish to interefere with an independent system of economy so becoming & honourable in a young American, particularly one who has to make his way in the world by his own talents & industry. Still Europe cannot be seen without a little money and too close an economy may defeat some of the objects of travelling. My nephew also has not made proper arrangements to receive his remittances from America, not being much versed in matters of finance. I shall therefore give him a letter of credit on you, and will thank you to make such arrangements so that he can supply himself with funds whenever he stands in need in the course of his tour. I am not affraid of leaving the credit entirely to his discretion; if any thing he

AND THE

STORROWS

89

will be more apt to err on the side of moderation than extravagance, having a strong principle of pride in making his tour at a very small expense. He leaves Madrid tomorrow and will be in Paris about the end of the month; when he will immediately call upon you. Any sums you may advance him you will of course charge to my account and draw on M r Van Wart for them. My nephew will remain, about five or six weeks in Paris and then set out for the Rhine on his way to Italy. While in Paris he will be busily employed in seeing the Lions. I commend him to your kindness and I think you will like him — He will be able to talk Spanish with the Princesses & to tell them some of the wonders of Spain. I am looking for accounts of your son Toms arrival from America, which will be a time of great jubilee in your household. I worked so hard at my book for about three months that I quite exhausted myself and have been stagnant for some time past. I hope soon to get hard at work again, for I find there is nothing keeps up my spirits more than hard work. No news of the mines? What has become of all the copper that was on the point of being shipped nearly a year since? — I wish heartily I could be with you all for a little while in Paris, or that you could all be here in Madrid. Give my love to all the family & believe me Yours ever W Irving. P. S. By letter just received from Birmingham I find Thomas has been some days with the family who are

90

WASHINGTON IRVING

quite delighted with him. Before this reaches you he will be with you — I congratulate you all most heartily on this joyful event, and only wish I was with you to partake of the poulet gras which will supply the place of a fatted calf on this occasion — not that I would intimate any comparison to the Prodigal Son— I have very sad accounts of the mine shares. There must have been great exaggeration if not downright falsehood in respect to the quantities of ore ready to be brought to market The matter ought to be enquired into. — I must drive my pen hard to make up for these drawbacks.

Madrid, July 9th 1826. M y dear M r s Storrow, I ENVY my nephew who will hand you this the pleasure he will receive in mingling with your little family circle. I would willingly give more money than ever I gave for a dinner in my life, to eat this Sundays dinner at my accustomed place at your table with Sams little black eyes twinkling opposite me and the two princesses blooming and smiling on each side. It seems an immense time since I left Paris, so many unlucky events have crowded into the interim, and such a world of uncomfortable feelings. I hope however the rough times are past and the world is about to roll on more smoothly. B y this time your son must have arrived from America, and his arrival will be a joyful event in your little domestic history. I have

AND THE

STORKOWS

91

been extremely gratified by meeting with my nephew. I have been very anxious for a long time to see some of my young relatives who are growing up in America. This is a brother of the one who came out for his health about three years since and died in the South of France.1 I have been very much pleased with him during his short stay at Madrid, and would gladly have kept him longer here, but it is important he should make the most of his time, accomplish his tour and return to America to apply himself diligently to his profession. I have recommended him to your kindness, for I do not know of a family circle which I think would be more to his taste, or to which I could feel more confidence & satisfaction in introducing him He has been brought up in simple habits and correct and honourable principles, and I trust has a sterling and modest worth of character. He will be able to give you some account of this curious country, in which he has been residing the greater part of a year and mingling among the people more than I have done — For my own part my life goes on so uniformly and quietly here that I have no news to put in a letter. I am almost continually within doors, occupying myself from morning till night among M r Rich's old books, with which the house abounds. M r Rich's family is very amiable and pleasant. There are two wild little boys that play about the garden and two very amiable and g e n t i l e little girls, one about fourteen and the other turned of fifteen. I endeavoured for a time to make one of the boys supply the 1. William S. Irving, who died at Lucerne on November 15, 1823.

92

WASHINGTON

IRVING

place of my friend Sam and to fancy some kind of similitude between the girls and Susan and Minny; but it would not do. They are all very agreeable but they wont have comparison and they dont come natural to me like the little family circle of Rue Thevenet. I find by M r Storrows letters that you remain in town this summer. I hope however you will be able to make some excursions into the country for refreshment; especially as M r Storrow will now have Tom for an Aid de Camp. I amuse myself sometimes with thinking what an immense change this arrival will make in the little empire; and how independent the two princesses will feel with their champion to escort them about. I hope you will give me a particular account of the meeting, and the consequent rejoicings and agitations of the domestic establishment. You know the politics of the fire side have always been interesting to me, even to concerns of the cats and the canary birds. Give my most affectionate remembrances to the girls & my friend Sam and believe me ever, Very truly your friend W. Irving.

Madrid July 12th, 1826. My dear Storrow, I WBOTE to you the day before yesterday by the mail — and after sending my letter I received yours of June 29. I hope Myers will be able to set the mine

AND

THE

STORKOWS

93

profitably at work. There must have been terrible gasconading in that business. I suspect Myers & his coadjutors have been duped in the first instance, and have suffered their own imaginations to dupe them afterwards. Myers I believe to be an honourable man, but he is sanguine. He ought to examine rigidly into the circumstances of the mine and the conduct of its former & its present workmen &c — There must have been a solid foundation of falsehood upon which all this fine superstructure of fancies & anticipations has been reared. The notice of my work in the American Papers was put in at my own request; when I thought of making a mere translation — I do not wish to communicate with Murray 1 on the subject until my work is compleat. He is a capricious man and sometimes neglectful; and has two or three times given me complete checks to my undertakings, either by his silence, or his discouraging replies. I am not out of humour with my work, as you imagine. I like the subject and and have worked at it with great interest & industry; but I know I shall never satisfy myself, let me execute it ever so well; for I never yet have been satisfied with my most successful productions. I have not seen Coopers last work,2 but hear it well spoken of. I am glad he is coming to Europe. It will be of great 1. Irving's disagreements with John Murray continued until 1832, and form an interesting chapter in the history of publication by American authors abroad. 2. Probably The Last of the Mohicans. Cooper reached England on July 2, 1826.

94

WASHINGTON

IRVING

service to him. Having written to M™ Storrow I have nothing new to add, but am my dear Storrow Yours ever WI.

Madrid Aug 16, 1826. My dear Storrow, I DREW on you about a month since for 200 £ Sterl[in]g — Since when I have remitted my nephew Pierre M Irving to you giving him a general letter of credit. I hope I have not pressed too much upon your kindness, but in the present deranged state of affairs I did not know how else to supply the exigencies of the moment, until I can get in the receipt of regular supplies from my resources in Ν York. I trust remittances from my brother, or arrangements by Van Wart have by this time put these matters en train. I am revising and correcting my work, which however will require some time yet to finish; there are so many petty points to be adjusted and disputed facts to be settled. I might have saved a great deal of time & labour had I been willing to accept the assistance proffered by my brother. But I reflected that this was a trial of skill in an entirely new line, in which I had to satisfy both the public and myself. I determined therefore that it should be a fair one, that I would enter minutely into every research & investigation & in short execute every thing to the best of

AND THE

STORROWS

95

my abilities. The task has been laborious and I have much work still before me; but all the heavy & anxious toil is over. I have got a considerable part into order & have shewn it to my brother, who gives me great encouragement. I have now time to look about me a little and project other matters when this is completed. Give my most affectionate remembrances to M rs . Storrow, Susan, Minny and my friend Sam. I hope to hear some account of the family rejoicing on the return of the Heir apparent. I am my dear Storrow — Yours ever WI. Madrid, A u g u s t 3 Γ - 1 8 2 6 My dear Storrow, I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your very kind letter of (I think) August 4 th in which you mention the arrival of my nephew. I had hoped to have heard from him from Paris, but he has not yet written to me. I am very much obliged to you for the kind reception you have given him, and hope he has continued to justify the good impression he appears to have made on you. The main object of this letter is to talk about money matters. I am infinitely chagrined at the situation of my account with you. By your letter it appears M r Van Wart had not made the arrangement for your drawing on him which I

96

WASHINGTON IRVING

requested. I have waited for two or three posts hoping to hear that he had done so, but have no information on the subject. I have had no answer from him to my letter. I can only presume that he is daily expecting remittances from New York, & defers writing until he can inform me my request is complied with. I wrote several months since to my brother in New York, who has several thousand dollars of mine lying in his hands requesting him to remit you 200 £ sterling immediately as I intended to draw on you. A few days after writing this letter my brother Peter received a letter from him, in which he sent me word to draw on him whenever I had occasion for money. Whether he thinks this general direction renders it unnecessary for him to remit I cannot say, but I cannot otherwise account for his not having done so. I have had no letter from him for months. By this seeming neglect of my brother and brother in law to comply with my requests I am left in a very unpleasant predicament. I have made free use of your kind offers in drawing on you for 200 £ besides giving my nephew a letter of credit upon you. I did so confidently expecting that all funds advanced by you would be immediately replaced. I should feel doubly mortified and distressed were I not sure that you know me so well as to view this matter in its proper light — and to acquit me of all intention of making a mere convenience and selfish accommodation of your friendship. I cannot however suffer things to remain in this situation, and therefore enclose you a bil[l] of exchange on my brother in New

AND THE

STOBROWS

97

York for one thousand dollars, which, unless you have already received the required funds from him or M r Van Wart, I wish you to make use of immediately. I am finishing Columbus ; but it takes time to finish a work of the kind, where so many points are to be examined. I hope it may not be so dry a work as you apprehend. I have been much interested with the events of his history, in writing them. If my work does not please I must say it will not be the fault of the subject. I congratulate you heartily upon the return of your son, and upon your finding him so improved. He must be a vast addition to the little family circle. My brother and myself have recently made an excursion with the Everetts to one of the royal residences, S 4 Ildefonso; where we saw the waterworks of La Granja, considered by some as more beautiful than those of Versailles. The royal family were there, and we accompanied them on one occasion through the garden, surrounded by the court, and the royal guard, and followed by all the motley population of the country round. The grotesque costumes of some of the Spanish peasantry, the fanciful costumes of others, & the splendid cortege of the royal family, with the beauty of the gardens and the sparkling jets and cascades of an immense number of fountains, made one of the most striking scenes I have witnessed for a long time. Tell Susan that our route to S*. Ildefonso lay through the mountains of Guadarrama, among wild rocks, precipices and forests,

98

WASHINGTON

IRVING

much infested with robbers. That the English Ministers courier had been robbed the very night before our setting out on the journey and the royal mail robbed the night after our return, and that in passing through the mountains we passed, at certain distances, groups of soldiers, among the rocks and woods by the road side, with huts made of boughs of trees, and fires burning; being stationed to guard the road. In one place we saw a dead body hanging to a tree — but it proved to be the carcass of a sheep. My brother has lost the key of his trunk and will thank you to send him the one you have. You can forward it in a letter through M r Brown who frequently sends dispatches to M r Everett. Or should M r Rich call on you on his way home he can bring it. M r Rich was requested to procure my brother a couple of keys of the kind in London in which case the one you have could be dispensed with. But he has probably been too much engrossed by his own concerns to attend to such a trifling commission I inclose two letters of advice to my brother in Ν York, to be sent by the two first opportunities. Give my affectionate remembrances to the family Yours ever WI. P. S. Direct to us "Legation Américain à Madrid" as we then get our letters postage free —

AND T H E

STORROWS

99

Madrid, Octr 26th 1826. My dear Storrow, YOUR letter by M r Rich to my Brother inclosing our accounts has given me great relief as I find you have received a remittance from New York on my account — The letter you allude to as written to me & containing advices of the remittance has not come to hand and may probably be the one remaining in the post office at Paris, for which I inclose the postmasters letter, begging you to liberate it and put it en route. I was terribly perplexed in consequence of letters from Van Wart, informing me that he had been unable to comply with my request as to empowering you to draw on him, in consequence of his not receiving remittances from New York. When I availed myself of your kind offer I knew nothing of the embarrassments in money matters which were prevailing among my connexions. I had supposed they were all blown over — The letter of Van Wart gave me excessive mortification & uneasiness. I would have sent you a second draft on Ν York for 1000 $ but 1 did not know whether you could make any use of my bills on Paris, & you were likely at all events to get the money sooner from Van Wart than by waiting until the bill should be cashed in Ν York & the proceeds remitted. To owe money is with me to feel like a culprit, and, though I know I have ample funds lying in New York where they will be taken care of for me, yet the difficulty in getting at them

100

WASHINGTON

IRVING

in these hard times, has produced an artificial poverty with me. I have been obliged for the present to abandon my projected tour to the south of Spain, & wait until my money supplies are more abundant. Unluckily none of my literary matters are in sufficient forwardness to be pressed into present service. For a few weeks past I have neglected Columbus to run after a new subject.1 The consequence is I have another work nearly sketched out in the rough; (but this entre nous) I shall resume Columbus almost immediately and have it ready to publish in the spring. It is a work which requires much care and examination on minute points which have been made matters of dispute. I understand the work of Navarrete is about to appear in Paris translated into french and notes of Maltebrun, Humbol[d]t &c I wish to see that work & these notes before I publish mine that I may have the last word on the subject. I owe Mrs Storrow a letter in reply to her most acceptable and delightful one I am also deeply in debt to Susan and Minny. Tell Susan her account of La Granja & S' Germain, is delightful and makes me quite unhappy that I was not of the rural parties she describes. I will write replys to these letters by the next opportunity — at present I have had to write letters of "necessity & mercy." M r Rich has returned loud in the praises of your family, but he says nothing of them but what they deserve Your account of the Mines is very satisfactory. Let us hope that we shall yet have our pockets filled 1. Irving now began A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada (1829).

AND T H E

STORROWS

101

with copper [The] moment there comes a real stout shipment of ore that makes the shares rise, I authorize you to give Sam a copper watch, gilt, on my account, and a copper chain to it that will reach to his knees. — (P. S. It need not be a watch that goes, but one of those sure watches that are right twice in the four & twenty hours) Give my love to M r s Storrow and the girls; and my regards to the young gentlemen and believe me ever my dear Storrow — very truly yours WI. I enclose a letter for my nephew Pierre to be sent after him to Italy. I do not know his address at Rome. My brother & M r Rich desire mille choses

Madrid Dec. 28 th 1826 My dear Susan, You cannot imagine how many times I have intended to write to you, but some unlucky task of the pen has always intervened to prevent me. I should think the number of times I have fully resolved upon the matter must be about equivalent to half a dozen long letters, so that you remain several in my debt. To tell the truth I have been so much occupied lately that I have let day by day slip by without answering letters that I have received, until I am in debt and disgrace with all my correspondents. There is a letter from

102

WASHINGTON

IRVING

your Mamma that I no longer dare to look in the face, it looks so reproachfully at me — And Minny too ! — well well, I mean to repent & reform and behave better in future. I was quite delighted with your account of your visit to the family Mansion of the Laughyets — Not but what I was filled with alarm when I found that you and Minny were put to sleep in a tower over the moat; but then I was relieved at finding that you met with no terrific adventure; but I was alarmed again when I found you entangled in the labarynth; I was again relieved however at finding you got safely out and that you beat all the Laughyet family at laughing. You must find the family of the good Marquis a most valuable addition to your acquaintance. They seem to be people of that rare description who combine good breeding, good sense, good feeling & good humour. I wish I could give you something entertaining in return for your history of your summer excursions; but I go so little abroad that I see nothing new. But since I can tell you nothing of the world without, I '11 give you some account of the world within doors that is to say, of my lodgings. About six weeks since M r Richs family changed their residence and my brother & myself removed with them. They occupy the first floor of the house, we have rooms on the second. The house is one of those great habitations peculiar to Spain. Great entrances and staircases about which you might drive a French Diligence. Labarynths of rooms one within another, half of them

AND THE

STORROWS

103

unfurnished, of no use and never intended to be of any; for these Spaniards are mighty pompous in their dwellings and think it a mark of dignity to have a vast deal of waste room about them. Our house is in the highest part of Madrid, close by one of the Gates and commands a view over a great part of the city and the adjacent country. Directly opposite is a convent of fat friars into whose gardens & grounds our windows have a full prospect. If mortifying the flesh be necessary to salvation not one of these sleek fathers will ever get to heaven. Every day I see mules heavily laden with the good things of this world entering their gates, and the only flower to be seen in their garden is the Cauliflower. Beyond the domains of this holy brotherhood I have a view of all the upper part of an immense convent, one of the noblest in architecture in Madrid. I t is a convent of nuns of noble families, and young ladies of distinction are educated there. Of course it is full of the most beautiful beings on the face of the earth. I t is so far off that I cannot distinguish forms or features which is a great advantage, for if ever I descry any one peeping through the grated windows I set her down for the most beautiful and interesting young lady that ever was, weeping, and wringing her hands, and pining away until no bigger round the wrist than a tissue [?] paper, because she is shut up there by her cruel parents — You can't think t o w pleasant it is. Our household concerns are attended to by a Spanish family that lives half a mile off in a remote corner

104

WASHINGTON

IRVING

of the mansion on the same floor with us. Whenever I summon any attendance, I am waited upon by two little old women, two cats & two dogs. The dogs are an abomination to me for they are barking pug dogs; the cats I believe to be little better than devils incarnate for they make the most tremendous catterwauling about the old house at night and as to the old women, my brother thinks them fairies but I believe them to be witches out right, for I observe every broomstick about the house is worn to a mere stump by severe travelling. January 1, 1827. I have kept this letter open to wish you a happy New Year, which I hope will be happier than any you have past and less happy than all that are to come. Give my good wishes to all the household, not forgetting my friend Victoire. If I dont write to Minny by this opportunity it will be from want of time but I will write to her next time —• I presume she carries a high top knot this season and shews herself occasionally at a Soiree instead of playing cindrilla at home. I hope Sam behaves himself well in my absence. I had intended to have made something of the boy, but he runs a great risk of being spoiled now I am not at hand to keep him in order. Your affectionate friend W Irving

AND THE

STORROWS

105

Madrid Jany 3 d 1827. My dear Storrow, IN THE first place let me wish you all a happy New Year which I hope will prove a brighter one than that which has just crept by. By a letter received a short time since from my brother dated November 14th I find that my draft on him in your favour had been accepted, and would be paid at maturity. Let me know what balance you will have remaining against me that I may provide for its settlement, and make accounts once more square between us. I have been extremely mortified at this delay, which I should probably have been able to prevent had I been a man of business and made proper arrangements. I am hard at work preparing Columbus for the press. The work has been more laborious than I had anticipated, so many points having been made the subjects of petty controversy. One volume of Navarrete I am told has been translated and published at paris, with annotations by Malte Brun, Humboldt &c. I am anxious to see it, as it will be necessary for me to notice any new lights they may throw upon the subject. M r Rich wrote a few weeks since to his Bookseller in Paris to forward a copy, but he has received no reply. I wish you could procure a copy for me & leave it with Mr Brown to be forwarded by any of the couriers which are continually coming from the

106

WASHINGTON

IBVING

various embassies. It is important for me to receive it soon. Jany. 4 th D r Clark of Philadelphia & M r Wilder of Baltimore have this day arrived safe & unrobbed. The latter brought me your letter of the 15th. I am sorry that you do not seem to think highly of my literary undertaking, and that you doubt whether Columbus will repay me for my trouble. It is too late now to demur upon the subject. The work is nearly finished. It has cost me, for the time I have been employed upon it, an excessive deal of labour; if it fails to interest the public I shall be grievously disappointed. The subject appear[e]d to me of great importance, especially to our country; and my brother who has recently looked over my work encourages me by the opinion he expresses of it. As to what you say about its being necessary for me to keep up my intercourse with polished, or in other words fashionable society for the sake of my fame, I cannot see how that will conduce to it — The dissipation of Paris and London exhausted my time & my spirits while slightly mingling in it. I certainly consult my own comfort more when I have but little to do with the bustling world. I find the more I am shut up and occupied with books and with my pen the less I am oppressed by heavy thoughts; and I cannot think but that time so employed will be most likely to conduce to my fame; if any mental exertion of mine can secure so fleeting and questionable an object. At any rate, I have tasked myself severely during my residence in Spain, to make up for lost time

AND THE S T O R R O W S

107

and to endeavour to get a little a head of the world, which seemed to be treading on my heels. The result must prove whether or no I have toiled to no purpose. As in finishing this work I have to consult a number of historical works, manuscripts etc, which are not to be met with else[where] I must remain in Madrid until I have put the last hand to [it] After which my brother & myself propose to make our tour to the South. I have another work 1 under way which requires some local observation on certain parts of Spain which will be made in the course of our tour — of this however I at present do not wish to say any thing. As to the Robbers of which you hear such frightful accounts, the country certainly abounds with them, but they are in general content with taking the loose money that travellers have about them. Seldom touching the luggage or committing personal violence unless in case of resistance. I have made up my mind to the chance of being robbed before I leave Spain & do not mean to suffer it to deter me from gratifying my curiosity. I inclose a letter for Susan. I had intended to write also to MTe Storrow & Minny but must reserve them for another opportunity. My Brother desires to be affectionately remembered to you all. M r Rich also sends his kind remembrances. I am my dear Storrow — very truly yours, W. I. 1. A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada or The Alhambra (1832).

108

WASHINGTON IRVING

Madrid, Feby 26th 1827. My dear Storrow, I WROTE to you a long time since and have been looking for a letter from you by every mail. By a letter from my Brother in Ν York he informs me that my draft in your favour for $1000 dollars would be payable, and would be paid in the course of a few days; he had also forwarded you by the same ship a bil[l] of Exchg on my account for francs, 6562.50. If this is payed it will leave me a balance in your hands which I should like to draw against, for I am getting sadly low in purse. I am affraid, after the discouraging speeches you made about Columbus, to say that I am yet labouring at it. Part of it is finished and would now be in Murrays hands for printing if I could get it copied, but such is the difficulty of getting any thing like labour performed in this lazy country that I have been for weeks seeking copyers. I have now two employed who go on with becoming slowness; yet they proceed and I hope to have the printers at work at one end while I am finishing the other. You have no idea what a laborious and entangling job it is. There are so many points in dispute, and so many of a scientific nature into which I have been obliged to enter with great study and examination. I have fagged night and day for a great part of the time, and every now and then some further document, throwing a

AND THE

STORROWS

109

different light on some obscure part of the work has obliged me to rewrite what I had supposed finished. I have been at times quite disheartened and out of spirits, for I want to finish the work on many accounts. I want to produce something that will give satisfaction to the American public, 1 1 want to make a little money sadly, and I want to get out of Madrid and out of Spain. The moment I can disengage myself from the trammels of this work I propose making a rapid tour through the southern parts of Spain particularly the old Kingdom of Granada and then I think I shall return into the "pleasant pays" of France by the Mediterranean coast & Perpignan, unless I embark for Marseilles from one of the Spanish ports and so make my way to Paris along the Rhone and by Lyons. Six weeks since I thought I should certainly have been off by this time, and yet here I find myself toiling & fretting, and my work still requiring the finishing hand. If it does not succeed I shall be dismally disheartened, for it has been my great comforter under dreams of poverty which have at times been haunting me; if it does succeed, I shall have another work soon shaped for the press and shall feel animated to continue the exercise of my pen. The last eighteen months have been full of care and anxiety to me from the darkness and perplexities of the times, nothing has kept off the blues in their deepest dye but this hard literary labour by which I hope to build up some little dependence in case of the worst. 1. Irving was deeply disturbed by attacks on him in American newspapers, accusing him of alienation from his own country.

110

WASHINGTON

IRVING

I have not heard for a long time from my nephew Pierre and apprehend he must have gone to England before a letter which I wrote some few weeks since had time to reach him. Should he be still in Paris furnish him with any funds he may stand in need of. My Brother Peter has had hard battling with the sharp airs and cold rooms of a Spanish winter and I believe has many a time wished himself in our warm ap[art]ments at Paris, where I should be right glad if w[e were] 1 once more reinstated. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras and brings old times and old scenes to my mind. I should like to take a stroll with friend Sam and see the fat ox in all his glory. Give my most affectionate remembrances to Mra Storrow and the girls. I wish I could find some pleasant new Spanish books to send them, but such is the state of literature in this country that all the modish books are mere translations I suppose they have both been to the grand Ball which I understand M r Brown was to give on Geo Washingtons Birth day; and that Minny wore a twining topknot on the occasion. Farewell my dear Storrow & believe me Yours ever W. I. P. S. If you have not previously written to me let me hear from you as soon as convenient, for I shall very probably be preparing for my journey by the time your letter can reach me 1. The manuscript is torn.

AND THE

STORKOWS

111

Madrid, March 20th 1827. M y dear Storrow, I RECEIVED yesterday your letter of the 8 th March, and a few days since your preceding letter by M r Longfellow. 1 I am glad to find I have at length got my amounts with you en regie, and a fund to draw against for present expenses. I have availed myself of your advices, to draw upon you this day at thirty days sight, in favor of M r Jo h Wiseman of this place for fifteen hundred francs. By a letter recently received from my nephew Pierre I presume he will have left Paris long before the arrival of this letter I send a few lines, however, for him, which, in case of his departure I will thank you to forward to his address in England. I still continue labouring at my work, which I cannot hurry, and which is stealing away more time from me than I had any idea of its requiring. Tell the girls their letters by M r Longfellow were a great regale to me and shall have a full reply the moment I can command my pen to turn a period. I am so fagged at this moment that it is with some difficulty I can scrawl even this letter of mere business. With my affectionate remembrance to M re Storrow the princesses, and all the rest of the family I am my dear Storrow yours ever — Washington Irving. 1. See Preface, viii, ix.

112

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Madrid May 5th 1827. My dear M r s Storrow, I H A V E owed you a letter for so long a time that I suppose you have given it up for a bad debt; I hope therefore to get the more credit for paying it. I had hoped before this time to have made my tour to the south, and to have passed through all the ordeals of Spanish inns, diligences and Robbers, but here I am still, entangled in my literary labours at Madrid, with yet a toilsome portion of my task before me. Literary men are said to be generally bad calculators of their time & trouble, but I never was more completely out, than in my idea of the toil this work would have cost me, or I doubt whether under present circumstances I should have undertaken it. However, patience & assiduity will help a man over mountains; I am gradually creeping onward toward a close. My brother has been troubled of late with an attack of his old enemy the head ache, which has lasted for two or three weeks, but is now leaving him. I feel sorry on his account to linger so long in Madrid which can no longer possess any interest for him. I do not know whether you are acquainted with Lieutenant Slidell 1 of our navy who passed some time in Paris last year & afterwards came to Madrid. He left here about a month since, and by a letter which I lately received from him I find he has been robbed. 1. Alexander Slidell Mackenzie (1803-1848), author of A Year in Spain (1829).

AND THE

STORROWS

113

I expected the event. The dilligence in which he started had been attacked on its way to Madrid, but the robbers were repulsed; I thought it probable they would make another attempt on it on its way back. The robbery took place about thirty leagues from Madrid. Eight robbers well mounted, and armed to the teeth attacked and drove off the guard consisting of four men. They then took all the money watches &c of the passengers; opened their trunks and helped themselves to whatever they fancied and then asking pardon of the passengers for the trouble they gave them, retired very slowly & tranquilly. They had the gallantry not to touch the trunks of a lady passenger— This I beg you will particularly mention to Susan as a proof what cavalleros the robbers in this country are; and what power the beau sexe possesses even beyond the pyrenees. It is one great consolation to travellers that robberies are not often attended with personal injury here, unless in case of resistance. The robbers are generally content to demand the money & watches of the travellers; they rarely even meddle with their trunks. Should the travellers, however, have no money about them the robbers are apt to cudgel them a little to teach them to be better provided another time. Honest Slidell had purchased a four dollar silver watch to be robbed of, and had put his valuable watch in his trunk; but as in this instance the robbers were more curious in their researches, his holy day watch fell into their clutches and his sham watch followed it. In these unsettled times the police has become so negligent and the

114

WASHINGTON

IRVING

robbers so daring that the roads are infested in every direction and the first question you ask of a friend, on arriving from a journey, is whether he has been robbed? I was glad to hear that you had M r Jarvis and his family with you in Paris. Are they still there; or have they proceeded on their travels. I knew him in New York and had a high opinion both of his talents and his virtues, and his wife appeared to be a very charming woman. Do you still keep up your Wednesday evening Soirees? It must have assembled round you a pleasant and sociable circle, for I understand there have been a number of agreeable Americans in Paris How often I wish for your little family circle after a days hard work when I have no disposition to toil in the evening. If you were all her[e] I should feel less impatient with my labour and with thi[s] 1 long detention at Madrid. Sam I find is once more to ero [ss the] ocean — what an old voyager he will become. He'll have as much to relate to his friends at home and to the folks at the farm as had Sindbad the sailor. I presume the girls by this time have complete command of the Spanish; which to those who know French & Italian, is a very easy language — The more I am familiarized with the language the more I admire it. There is an energy, a beauty, a melody and richness in it surpassing in their combined proportions all other languages that I am acquainted with. It has less softness and melifluousness than the Italian, but it is only inferior to 1. The manuscript is torn.

AND THE

STORROWS

115

the Italian in those respects, while it surpasses it in fire and boldness. It is characteristic of the nation; for with all its faults, and in spite of the state into which it has fallen, this is a noble people, naturally full of high and generous qualities. All the fine qualities of this nation, however, grow wild. You do not find them most in those cultivated classes where you look for them in other countries — Indeed there can hardly be said to be any cultivated classes here — but you find them among the common people, who have been brought up without care and almost without education. There are more natural gentlemen among the common people of Spain than among any people I have ever known, excepting our Indians. Give my affectionate regards to Mrs Storrow and the girls to whom I will write very soon — I am a sad delinquent to all my correspondents — I have not written to my sister for many weeks, for in fact I am fagged to death with the drudgery of the pen. When you see Mrs Welles remember me particularly to her Believe me my dear Mre Storrow your affectionate friend Washington Irving My Brother desires to be affectionately remembered to you all

116

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Madrid, July 9 a 1827 My dear Storrow, I HAVE drawn on you this day at thirty days sight in favour of Mess™. Ardoin and Garcia, Bankers of this place, for two thousand francs. It is a long while since we have heard from any of you and I presume you must have thought us on our travels. Here however we still linger, and are likely to be detained some little while longer before I can get my work copied out and transmitted for publication. You will be as tired of hearing of Columbus as I have been in writing it; especially after my having pronounced it, several months since, nearly finished. In a work of the kind, however, it is impossible to make certain calculations as to finishing. I have had to copy almost the whole over again since I made that assertion, and when you come to see the work you will find that was no trifling matter. Even now that I have concluded the main body of the work and all the illustrations excepting two or three, I feel that I am suffering it to pass out of my hands with several parts by no means executed in the style I could execute them could I afford the work more time. To do such a work justice & execute it as I could execute it, I ought to bestow at least, several months more upon it. I had no idea of the nature of the task when I undertook it. Indeed had I seen it in the light in which I behold it at present, I should have been diffident of undertaking it at all.

AND T H E

STORROWS

117

I presume my present draft will merely draw out all the funds that I have remaining in your hands. I wrote some time since to my brother to remit another thousand dollars to you on my account, and will thank you when it arrives to apprize me of it, as my present supply will be soon exhausted, having to pay a great deal for the copying of my work. Now that I have nearly got the work ready for launching I feel full of doubts and anxieties. It is an important affair for me, for on the success of this work so much of my future comfort and I may say my future subsistence depends. I hear nothing more of the mines. I hope that business may yet turn out well; but it is a terrible time about it considering that two years since there was such a vast quantity of ore waiting to be taken to market. I feel anxious on account of you & Van Wart. As to myself, if my book succeeds, I bid adieu to mining and all projects of money making, excepting by the hard labour of my pen. I am not a lucky man & therefore should not cast my bread upon the wate[rs.] My brother is in good health and desires to be affectionately remembered to you all. We often and often wish ourselves with you in the evenings, which often hang heavy on hand here, and when Sunday comes we reccollect the family dinner with many a heartfelt regret. I wrote to M ra Storrow some time since and have been intending continually to write to Susan & Minny, but day after day I have been drudging with the pen at my daily task until wearied

118

WASHINGTON

IRVING

and almost blind, and have felt it impossible to conjure up ideas to fill a page. I will endeavour to make up for my silence by a long letter as soon as I can go abroad and pick up some Spanish news to write about. Give them my most affectionate remembrances as well as to Mrs Storrow, my kind regards to Tom who I only reccollect as I saw him at Burlington when Susan wore thunder & lightning stockings I am my dear Storrow ever most truly yours, W. I .

Madrid, August 29th 1827. My dear Storrow, IT IS a long time since I have heard from you or any of the family; these Pyrenees seem to cut one off from the world. I drew on you some time since for two thousand francs, which I imagine has nearly exhausted the funds which I had lying in your hands A great part of this sum has been spent in paying for the copying of my work, and I am fast approaching the bottom of my purse. I wrote to my brother some time since to remit a thousand dollars to you on my account. I have sent the chief part of the manuscript of my work to Col Aspinwall, to make arrangements with Murray about the publication & have desired Murray to allow me to draw on him for a certain sum in advance. Still these means may be slower in becoming available than my necessities may demand;

AND THE

STORROWS

119

and I may be left without money here, in a place where I have not the means of raising it. If there is any balance remaining in your hands therefore will you have the kindness to give me a credit on some banker here for the amount; or if it will not be inconvenient for you will j o u extend the amount to one hundred pounds. I am extremely sorry to be incommoding you with these pecuniary matters, but from various circumstances, and perhaps from my own want of business arrangements, I have been continually been put to the shift since I left you. The moment I conclude my bargain with Murray I shall have a source open for me on this side of the Atlantic & will cease to be thus inconvenienced. I have sent off the two volumes of my work, but am yet occupied with the illustrations & documents, which however will soon be despatched. It has been a laborious task — and now that the excitement is over I am full of doubts and anxieties. Do let me hear from you and give me some family news. I cannot tell you how dismal I feel at times when I am not hard at work, and have time to think about myself and my friends. The world seems out of joint and all things running awry; and I am always forboding evil. My Brother and myself propose leaving here in the course of next month, if nothing turns up to prevent, to make our long projected tour in the South of Spain [and?] then to return to France. I feel ashamed to speak any more on the subject; having so long been on the eve of starting as I supposed, and continually deferring it; but I have been

120

WASHINGTON

IRVING

completely deceived in the time and labour necessary to accomplish my work; which, now that it is despatched, I feel ought to have had several more months bestowed upon it. Give my affectionate remembrances to M re Storrow, the girls and the rest of the family that you have with you; and do some of you write me a line, that I may not feel as if I am forgotten by you all. I am my dear Storrow ever most truly yours W Irving. My Brother desires to be affectionately remembered to you all

Madrid, Septr 14th 1827. My dear Storrow, I HAVE taken advantage of your kind permission and have drawn on you at thirty days sight for two thousand francs, in favour of Mess r Ardoin &c of this place. I hope this will be the last time I shall have to put your goodness to this inconvenience. Money must be coming for me from Ν York; and I have just heard of the arrival of part of my manuscript of Columbus in London; so that I shall have an arrangement there in a little while from which I can procure necessary funds. Our good friend Co1 Aspinwall has taken charge of negociating the sale of the work with M r Murray and I trust all will soon be entrain — I have yet part of the Manuscript with me, to be cop-

AND THE

STORROWS

121

ied. It is merely the illustrations. I am working at a hard gallop for Peter is waiting for me with his hat on to go to dinner, when I must put this letter in the Post office. My best love to all the family. I will write to you soon again & at more leisure Peter sends his affectionate remembrances to you all. Yours ever Washington Irving.

Madrid Oct 1 8 th 1827. My dear Storrow, I HAVE just received a letter from our worthy friend Aspinwall at London, who has concluded an arrangement with M r Murray for the copy right of Columbus. He gives me three thousand guineas payable 300 £ down, 450 at the end of six months from the first of January next, and the residue in instalments — every three months, from that payment, the last of them at the end of two years. I am highly gratified with this arrangement,1 it is the highest price that I named and shorter payments than I contemplated. I now inclose you a draft on Col Aspinwall for one hundred pounds at thirty days sight, to replace the sum you lately accepted for, and have again 1. Although Irving was unaware of this fact, Murray accepted the manuscript only after great hesitation. Southey and other "elbowcritics" advised against its publication.

122

WASHINGTON

IBVING

to give you my most heartfelt acknowledgments for the repeated kindness you have shewn me in the petty perplexities in money matters, in which, from my own want of businesslike arrangements, I have occasionally been involved. M r Rich leaves this [place?] on Monday next (15 th ) for Paris and London, by him I forward the remainder of my ms. and will then write to you again. I am at present obliged to close my letter to send it to the post office. Give my affectionate remembrances to M r s Storrow and the Princesses and believe me ever yours truly Washington Irving. My Brother desires to be most kindly remembered to you all — As soon as the last manuscript is sent off to London we expect to start for Andalusia.

Madrid, Dec 1 —1 1827. My dear Storrow, I FIND by your letter of the 10 th Nov. that you are in danger of becoming as great a truant as myself. Scarce returned from a tour in Germany and you are preparing for a three weeks expedition to Lyons. I hope this letter will find you once more restored to sober life and your family fire side. As to your German expedition I should have liked, of all things, to have been your companion, and had I been in Paris,

AND THE

STOEROWS

123

I think I could not have resisted the temptation I join with you in your esteem for the Germans they are truly an excellent people; full of merit both of heart and head. The Rhine is all fairy land. I hope you stored your memory with the legendary tales of the old castles and the forest goblins, to entertain the princesses throughout the winter. You will see we are still lingering at Madrid, and you will think that I am spell bound here. In fact I have got plunged into another literary undertaking which grows upon me as I work, and obliges me to remain where I can have access to extensive Spanish libraries. I will tell you some thing about it as it matures, at present it is all in a rough state but I hope to shape it into form in the course of the winter. You see Columbus has turned out better than you anticipated as to profit; how it will succeed in other respects is yet to be determined. If it takes with the public it will be more advantageous for me than any work of mere imagination that I could have produced. I have not received a line from Murray since he bought the work, and at this moment I am in utter ignorance as to when it is to appear before the public or in what form it is to be published. I shall fill up this letter to MT3 Storrow, so conclude with a thousand good wishes for your welfare Yours Ever WI.

124

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Madrid Dec. 1, 1827. M y dear M r s Storrow, I WAS delighted to see your delicate little hand writing filling up the residue of M r Storrows letter. I t is so long since I have heard from you that I had given up all hopes of such a pleasure. I congratulate you upon the safe arrival in America of that modern Sindbad Sam. I hope he has kept a journal of his voyage as before, and has carefully noted down all the sea serpents and other marvels he has encountered. We have just received letters from my sister M r s Van Wart, written with a heart so full and head so flurried that she could scarce express herself intelligibly. Henry had returned from America the preceding evening, and their little household, I'll engage, was one of the happiest in the world. I t seems to me worth the pain of sending children from home for a while, to have the joy of getting them back again. M y brother and myself remain in Madrid until the latter part of February. This is contrary to all the plans I had formed, but I find it is easier to make plans than to keep them. Literary labour runs away with time and fetters me with entanglements that I cannot break through without sacraficing everything. We have taken more comfortable lodgings than we had last winter, and hope to get through the season more pleasantly in this respect than the last, for the winters at Madrid are sharp and the houses in gen-

AND THE

STORKOWS

125

eral constructed for a warm climate. Would to heavens we had your fire side to resort to, that we might have a little social and domestic life to vary the monotony of study and labour. I have found nothing to compensate for the loss of it. I have endeavoured to find something of the kind in Madrid, but there is no home scene here where my feelings take anchorage. I think if I could combine the days of constant literary application which I pass here, with the delightful domestic evenings I used to pass at your fire side I should be perfectly contented. My life here is little else than literary toil — endeavouring to make up for past negligencies and to render myself independent of the future. If I can succeed I shall not repine at the privations I at present experience. Give my love to the girls, and remember me cordially to my old crony Sam when you write to him — believe me my dear M r s Storrow ever your affectionate friend. WI.

Madrid, Feb. 23d, 1828. M y dear Storrow, I HAVE been paying off a long arrearage of debts in letter writing to my family in America, and the courier being on the point of departure I have scarcely time to scrawl a line to yourself, but, by a private opportunity will write to the girls in the course of a few days. On the first of March I leave Madrid on my long talked of tour to the South. I am sorry to

126

WASHINGTON

IRVING

say my brother will not be able to accompany me. His health for two months past has been very indifferent, being troubled with a return of the complaint in his head that distressed him so much about three years since in Paris. He has determined therefore to set off for France and to travel leisurely; so that you will probably have him with you in the course of five or six weeks. He will be accompanied by my nephew, Theodore Irving, a youngster between eighteen and nineteen, who arrived here from New York about three weeks since, and with whom I am much pleased. He is very amiable, and of prepossessing appearance and manners, and with proper looking after will make a valuable man — He is studying Spanish and when at Paris I wish him to be boarded in some quiet family, like that of Madam Berteau's [?] for example; where he will be at moderate expense, and in good hands, so that he may pursue his studies of the Spanish and at the same time acquire the French language. You know my idea of the education of young people — the girls to be indulged in every thing — the boys to be worked hard and well W H I P P E D . Theodore I fear is too stout a fellow for the flogging system; you must however, now and then do me the favor to put on one of your sternest looks and question him severely as to what progress he makes; and the young ladies must not have a word to say to him until he can express himself handsomely in French and turn a compliment in the true Parisian style. I heard from Col Aspinwall not long since, who spoke rather more encouragingly than usual of the

A N D THE

STORROWS

127

mines. A new agent had been sent out who was likely to get things in favorable train — It was expected there would be no more calls upon shareholders — Pascoe Grenfell had made purchases of shares, which is an encouraging sign — I still hope something may be saved out of the fire, though I despair of ever retrieving the amount of my investment. One rub or other continues to keep me in dubious circumstances, notwithstanding the sale of my late work; but I trust by further exercise of my pen at length to get ahead of the world and its sordid cares. I find by the English papers that Columbus was to appear on the 11 t h inst. If it takes with the public its success will have a most favorable effect upon any thing I may afterwards produce. Give my most affectionate remembrances to M re Storrow and the two princesses — I have seen several Princesses since my coming to Spain, but none to compare to them. I am my dear Storrow yours ever W. Irving.

Granada, March 10 th , 1828 1 My dear Storrow, I HAVE at length the pleasure of dating a letter to you from the ancient capital of the Moorish monarchs. 1. Irving left Madrid on March 1, 1828 in the diligence for Cordova, and reached Granada on about March 8. He remained here, on this, his first visit to the Alhambra, until about March 19.

128

WASHINGTON

IRVING

I arrived here the evening before last after a very fatiguing but very interesting journey. I left Madrid on the first of the month, in company with the Russian consul General of Spain, and the Secretary of the Russian Legation, whom I have found very agreeable travelling companions. We proceeded by the Dilligence to Cordova, and made out very well on the road, excepting that we were allowed but a few hours rest each night, and the weather, for part of the journey was rather cold, especially in the bleak, plains of La Mancha — From Cordova we came on horseback to Granada and had three days of tedious travelling, through a lonely and dreary country. Granada, however, repays one for every fatigue. I t is a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen. The Alhambra differs in many respects from the picture that had been formed by my imagination; yet it equals my expectations, high as they were wrought. I am so bewildered by a crowd of occupations, and by the crowd of impressions made upon me by the variety of scenes through which I have recently passed that I am in no mood to write quietly and satisfactorily so must postpone more particular accounts to some future letter. I shall remain here about ten days and then proceed with my companions by the mountains of the Alpuxarras to Malaga, & from thence to Gibraltar, Cadiz & Seville. I t has been a great subject of regret to me that my brother Peter could not be here with me to ramble about this place & its environs; though I have re-

AND THE

STORROWS

129

joiced more than once that he was not with me to suffer the fatigues and the wretched privations incident to Spanish travelling — particularly when one is not on the main Diligence roads. He will no doubt soon arrive in Paris, with my nephew Theodore Irving. I wish you to advance the latter such funds as he may require for his expenses from time to time, and charge the same to my account, having an eye at the same time to his being economical in the use of money both for the sake of others and of himself. I inclose a letter to Susan, which will give [her] and Minny some slight notion of Spanish travelling but I have not leisure to dress up my narration with decent horrors. I shall write to you again from some other part of my tour. Give my most affectionate remembrances to M r s Storrow — and believe me ever Your friend W Irving.

Seville, June 20th 1828.1 My dear Storrow, IT IS a very long time since I have received a line from you. My Brother Peter however and my nephew Theodore have given accounts of you and your household by which I am happy to find that you are all going on as pleasantly and comfortably as usual. I am sorry that my brother has left Theodore alone in 1. Prom Granada Irving journeyed through the mountains to Málaga, to Gibraltar and Cádiz, and up the Guadalquivir River to Seville, which he reached on April 14.

130

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Paris. I had hoped that should he not remain in Paris himself, he would have taken him with him. I fear he may prove a charge upon your kindness and hospitality, but you must not let him be so through any feelings of false delicacy. I feel that his situation in Paris is extremely critical; should you therefore, think that he is passing his time improperly or disadvantageously I beg you will forward him on to his relations at Birmingham, unless my brother Peter should have any other destination for him. He is amiable and well disposed; but I doubt his having much self denial or self discipline; or sufficient energy to mark out a course of study for himself and application to pursue it. He needs in this respect the council of others, and frequent spurrings on. This at least is my idea from the very short opportunity I had of judging of his turn of mind when with me at Madrid. You will probably be more able to judge of him at present than I. As he will have nothing to depend upon but his own industry abilities and good conduct, it is important he should make the most of his present opportunities. I should have liked him to have been in some office or counting house, or some other situation where he might learn accounts & book keeping and where he should acquire habits of business, and a proper distribution and use of his time; but the situation in which I am placed and my own ignorance of business puts it out of my power to direct and control him. By a letter which I have received from him I fear he is doing little more than paying a negligent, casual attention to the French language,

AND THE

STORROWS

131

and loitering away his time. Do give him such advice as you would to one of your own boys in his situation; I have written to him to conform implicitly to your councils. I am remaining at Seville correcting Columbus for a second edition and preparing another work for the press. I t is necessary for me to remain where I can have access to the Spanish libraries, though the heat begins to grow extremely oppressive. A letter therefore will find me here if addressed to the care of Don Miguel Walsh, Consul de Inglaterra. My curiosity is satisfied with respect to Spain, and though I should like to visit the eastern coasts especially Valentia & Barcelona, I think I shall content myself with what I have seen. My tour through the mountainous parts of Andalusia equalled my expectations in every thing except that I escaped being robbed; a fate for which I had completely made up my mind. I am sorry therefore that I shall have no horrible adventures of the kind from my own experience to tell the girls when we meet, though I trust I shall have stories enough to relate of the disasters of my neighbors; for one hears of scarcely any thing else along the road but stories of robberies, which seem corrobborated by crosses set up in all lonely and dreary places, to mark where some traveller has been murdered. Still like all other travellers tales these matters have been greatly exaggerated, and I am inclined to think the travelling in Spain much less dangerous than it has been represented. In all parts of Andalusia I find traces of our favor-

132

WASHINGTON

IRVING

ites the Moors, for if I reccollect right, you are as great an admirer as myself of that gallant and elegant people. I find their taste and industry and ingenuity and sagacity, in the remains of public edifices, in the modes of irrigating and cultivating the fields; in acqueducts, fountains, baths and every thing that could counteract the heat and drought of the climate and promote fertility, freshness and cleanliness. In the public institutions of various kinds, in laws, customs and habitudes. I am lodged in a house that formed a part of the ancient Alcazar or Moorish palace; 1 perhaps one of the towers or outhouses of the Alcazar, which was a little town of itself. M y chamber has the old Moorish walls of prodigious thickness, and I bless the Moors a dozen times a day, for having so completely sheltered me from the scorching heat that prevails out of doors. I presume by the time this letter reaches you the family will be all in the country as Theodore tells me you intend passing the hot weather in some retreat near Paris. Give my love to M r s Storrow and the girls and tell them, that, with all the boasted climate and charms of Andalusia, there are no walks here equal to some in the neighborhood of Paris. Spain, altogether, is the worst country I was ever in for rural pleasures and recreations — God bless you all Your friend WI. 1. Apparently at Number 4, Plaza de Constitución, in the Barreo de Santa Cruz.

AND THE

STORROWS

133

Puerto Santa Maria, Octr 22 d 1828. 1 My dear Storrow, IT HAS been with the deepest concern that I have heard of your misfortunes; 2 indeed the last letter I received from you was written in a strain so different from your usual cheerfulness and equanimity that it gave me great uneasiness. By recent letters from my brother I find that you are once more with your family and I trust the bitterness of all the evil is past. For I know from experience that it is the anticipation of the shock, the struggles to avoid it, and the preparations to encounter it, that the real suffering of a pecuniary failure consists. When once it has taken place all the imaginary horrors are over, and the mind braces itself up vigorously for new exertions. My brother has inclosed me your letter to him by which I find this is the case with you, and happy you are in having such a family circle in which to repose, and where you are independent of the world for your real enjoyments. I find my brother in law M r Van Wart wrote to you, as I requested him, on the subject of the Bolivar mines. I hope you were able to take advantage of any new arrangement that presented a prospect of retrieving the investments either in whole 1. On September 1, Irving and John Nalder Hall, an English scholar, took refuge against the heat in the little Spanish town, outside Cádiz, of Puerto de Santa Maria. Here Irving finished A Chronicle of the Conguest of Granada and commenced his extraordinary friendship with the German scholar, Johan Nikolas Böhl von Faber. 2. Storrow's failure in business in the autumn of this year.

134

WASHINGTON

IRVING

or in part. I am ignorant of the state of the business, nor can I ascertain what has been done as to my own shares. I have made up my mind to consider the whole a total loss, and should any thing ultimately be saved, shall look upon it as so much money found. I have lately sent to England and America a new work a kind of chronicle of the Conquest of Granada. M y Brother assisted me in making the researches and throwing them into form. I have since been over the principal scenes of the events, and, sitting myself down at Seville, have modelled and wrought up the whole into a kind of romantic history, in which the chronological order of events is faithfully observed, and every fact is drawn from historical sources ; having consulted every chronicle, private or in manuscript that I could lay my hands on. I have endeavoured to throw over the whole a colouring that may give it some thing of the effect of a work of the imagination. 1 I think it will be characteristic of the war, and of the times, for a great part of the facts are furnished by contemporary writers. As I do not know when M r Murray may bring out the work I do not wish the nature of it to be made known until it appears before the public. For some weeks past I have been residing in a country house, hired by a young Englishman and myself, just out of Port S* Marys. 2 I think the situation 1. Irving's vacillation between history and romance was the chief weakness of A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada. 2. The house, " Caracol," with its wall, its olive groves, and its view of Cádiz, still stands on the outskirts of Puerto de Santa Maria.

AND

THE

STORKOWS

135

would delight Susan and Minny, for it is in a neighborhood reputed to be terribly infested with robbers. The house is secured with strong doors and grated windows like a prison. We are warned not to ride about the neighboring lanes and olive woods, lest we should be robbed of horse and purse, and left to find our way home on foot. We dare not linger in the town after dusk lest we should be waylayed as we returned. As soon as night approaches the doors are secured, and our only resource is to walk on the roof of the house, which, like all those in the South of Spain, is perfectly flat, paved with bricks & secured by a parapet. Here it is delightful in the serene [nigjhts of this climate, and we are cheered by the company of owls and bats which nestle in a small tower or look out of our mansion. Our garrison consists of a veteran German dragoon, who was one of Napoleons guards, and accompanied him in many of his great battles in Austria, Italy & Egypt & was taken prisoner in Spain. He is moreover our cook, footman, hostler, chamber maid, valet de chambre &c &c and excellent in every capacity. I should observe that from the top of our house we command a view on one side of the city & bay of Cadiz with the sea beyond, and on the other side of a great plain with the river Guadalete winding through it, on the banks of which Roderick the last Gothic King was defeated by the Moors. 1 In the distance are the mountains of 1. Looking down upon this plain, Irving wrote his story "The Legend of Don Roderick," published in Number III of The Crayon Misceüany (1835).

136

WASHINGTON

IRVING

Ronda. The whole landscape at present is burnt up by the summer heats, for no rain falls here for months. I had almost forgot to mention a pleasant object in the landscape. The ruin of a Moorish Castle, where Peter the cruel is said to have put one of his wives to death. I think Susan would be interested by it. So much for rural life in Spain, which is more dreary than in any country I ever visited. I think if Susan and Minny were quartered in this country seat they would really consider themselves two captive prisoners and look out for some Don Quixote to deliver them. I shall in a few days return to Seville to renew my researches in the libraries and the Archives of the Indies 1 from which I was compelled to desist by the summer heat— Give my affectionate remembrances to M r s Storrow and the girls and believe me my dear Storrow, ever yours most truly WI. 1. This library and the Biblioteca Colombina were the sources of Trving's new material for his revision of The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus.