his return happy. He was improved in health, and the little fame he had gained was increased by this trip.

Washington and his older brother William, together with Mr. James K. Paulding, started a serial called "Salmagundi." It was filled with witty articles about the follies of the times and was very popular during its year of publication.

9. Irving's next work was a humorous history of New York, which is one of the wittiest books ever written. Just before it was finished he received a blow that left him little heart for writing. Matilda Hoffman, who was to have been his wife, died in her eighteenth year. He bravely went on with his work, but felt the loss so deeply that he could never bear to speak of her. The dearest hope of his life was overthrown.

Irving was never married, and after his death there were found among his private papers her picture, - a sweet, girlish face, a braid of fair hair, her Bible and prayer book, and these words: "She died in the beauty of her youth, and in my memory she will ever be young and beautiful."

10. In 1813 Mr. Irving edited a magazine in Philadelphia. The year following he joined the staff of General Tompkins, and the next year he went a second time to Europe. After spending some time in travel he was obliged to return to his writing on account of his brothers' failure in business.

He wrote "The Sketch Book" under the name of "Geoffrey Crayon" and sent it to New York, where it was published. It was afterwards published in London through the influence of Sir Walter Scott, who read it and admired it greatly.

This book met with a hearty reception in both countries. The delicate pathos and humor, the freshness of feeling, and the refined and finished style gave it a high position in the literary world.

11. This was in 1818. In 1822 he published "Bracebridge Hall." This was written in Paris, where the author was a companion of the poet Moore. It was a success, but not so popular as "The Sketch Book." In

December, 1824, he published "The Tales of a Traveler." These were followed, in 1828, by "The History of the Life and Voyages of Columbus" and other works.

In 1832 he returned to America, where he was heartily welcomed. Soon after his return he made a journey to the country west of the Mississippi.

Washington Irving was appointed minister to Spain in 1842. He lived there four years and then came home. His last and most elaborate work was "The Life of Washington," in five volumes.

12. In 1835 Mr. Irving had bought an estate in Tarrytown on the Hudson. His brother Peter and others of his family lived there, and it was in this charming country seat that Irving spent the last years of his life.

He called this home "The Roost," but it was re-named "Sunnyside." The house was originally a small Dutch cottage built of stone; but Mr. Irving remodeled and enlarged it and planted ivy slips from Melrose Abbey all about it.

Here, surrounded by loving relatives, Washington Irving died on the 28th of November, 1859. His life had been a successful one. His bright, happy nature never deserted him, and he kept his simple tastes and sweet temper to the last.

He was an artist in his style, and his works excite our admiration and love.

1. WHOEVER has made a voyage up the Hudson must

remember the Catskill Mountains.

is fair and settled they are clothed in blue and purple, and print their bold outlines on the clear evening sky; but sometimes, when the rest of the landscape is cloudless, they will gather a hood of gray vapors about their summits, which, in the

When the weather

last rays of the setting sun, will glow and light up like a crown of glory.

At the foot of these fairy mountains the voyager may have descried the light smoke curling up from a village

whose shingle roofs gleam among the trees.

It is a little village of great antiquity, having been founded by some of the Dutch colonists in the early times of the province.

In that same village and in one of these very houses there lived many years since, while the country was yet a province of Great Britain, a simple, good-natured fellow of the name of Rip Van Winkle.

2. He was a great favorite among all the good wives of the village, and the children, too, would shout with joy whenever he approached. He made their playthings, taught them to fly kites and shoot marbles, and told them long stories of ghosts, witches, and Indians.

Whenever he went dodging about the village he was surrounded by a troop of them hanging on his skirts and clambering on his back. Not a dog would bark at him

throughout the neighborhood.

The great error in Rip's composition was an aversion to all kinds of profitable labor. It could not be from the want of perseverance; for he would sit on a wet rock, with a rod as long and heavy as a Tartar's lance, and fish all day without a murmur, even though he should not be encouraged by a single nibble.

3. He would carry a fowling-piece on his shoulder for hours together, trudging through woods and swamps and up hill and down dale, to shoot a few squirrels or wild