WASHINGTON IRVING. CHAPTER XXIX. GAVE THE KNICKERBOCKER NAME TO NEW YORK-INFANT "D ISAPPEARED FROM HIS LODGINGS-A small, elderly gentleman, dressed in an old black coat and cocked hat, by the name of Knickerbocker," was the substance of an advertisement which appeared one day in New York and Philadelphia newspapers in the year 1809. Immediately there was great excitement in the communities where so many of the inhabitants were of Dutch descent, and efforts were made to locate the "small, elderly gentleman" who had mysteriously disappeared. From day to day paragraphs appeared in the newspapers telling of the search made for the missing man. One day the papers contained an article stating that the "small, elderly gentleman," described in the advertisement, had been seen traveling north in the Albany stage. His name, it was said, was Diedrich Knickerbocker. He had gone away owing his landlord, and had left behind a very curious kind of a written book, which would be sold to pay his bills if he did not return. Before the missing Knickerbocker was located his book, "A History of New York," made its appearance on all the book stalls and in the shops, and, as curiosity about the "small, elderly gentleman, in an old black coat and cocked hat," was at fever pitch, the book sold like wild fire. Such was the ingenious method of advertising used by Washington Irving, to introduce the book upon which, together with the story of Rip Van Winkle, by the same mythical Knickerbocker, his fame most securely rests. The volume purported to be a serious history of the manner and government of the Dutch rulers of New Amsterdam, the early name of New York, and was dedicated to the New York Historical Society. The book was a wonderful success, and created a stir in more ways than one, for when the Dutch inhabitants, who had expected to read a true account of the exploits of their ancestors, discovered that the alleged history was but a gigantic piece of humor they were indignant and angry. The absence of any malice in the work, however, resulted in a better feeling toward the book and its author. Sir Walter Scott was the first foreigner to recognize the strength and humor of Knickerbocker's History, and he wrote of it: "I have never read anything so closely resembling the style of Dean Swith as the annals of Diedrich Knickerbocker. I have been employed these few evenings in reading them aloud to Mrs. S. and two ladies, who are our guests, and our sides have been absolutely sore with laughing. I think, too, there are passages which indicate that the author possesses power of a different kind, and has some touches which remind me of Sterne." This book gave to New York, for all time, the Knickerbocker name and character, and the first families of that city to this day are proud to trace their descent to an old Knickerbocker family. Washington Irving was the first American to teach England that Americans could write as well as fight, and he was the first American to adopt. literature as a serious profession. He was born in New York at a time when Washington's patriotic army still occupied the city. "Washington's work is done," said Irving's mother, "and the child shall be named for him." GENERAL WASHINGTON SEES HIS NAMESAKE. Afterwards, when Washington came to New York on matters of government, his future biographer, held aloft in the proud arms of his nurse, was presented to the great man, who touched the infant on the head with his hand and expressed his pleasure at having such a fine looking namesake. The youth of Washington Irving was not such as is usually held up to the emulation of boys whose parents wish them to be good. He was, however, given more to mischief than to anything bad. His father was an austere, religious man, who made the boy attend church and family prayers much oftener than he relished, and who, in matters of general conduct, made him, in the parlance of that day, "toe a straight mark." As a youth Irving was passionately fond of the theatre, a passion which remained with him to his dying day. It was his custom, when a boy, to visit the theatre without the knowledge or consent of his father, returning home in time for family prayers; he would then retire to his room, climb out of the window and away to the theatre to see the afterpiece. His mother rather despaired of his ever being a great man, and was frequently heard to exclaim: "Oh, Washington, if you were only good!" By reason of ill health and a lack of school facilities, Irving received little education. At sixteen years of age he began the study of law, but it is feared that he read many more books of romance and adventure than he did of books of legal lore. He also spent a great part of the time in the woods and fields with rod and gun when he was supposed to be poring over his law books. Continued ill health decided him to take a trip to Europe in his twentyfirst year. The captain of the vessel on which he sailed noted his consumptive appearance, and remarked to the mate: "There is a chap who will go overboard before we get across," a prediction which the world of letters rejoices was not verified. At Bordeaux he fell in with a young French officer and a talkative old doctor from America. In their travels about France they went into a house where a number of girls were quilting. The doctor, who was a practical joker, told the girls that Irving was an English prisoner in the custody of the French officer. When they inquired what the officer was going to do with him the doctor said they would either shoot him or cut his head off. This excited the sympathy of the girls, who brought Irving wine and great quantities of fruit, and in many gentle and tender ways conveyed to him their hope that he would at least escape with his life. CAPTURED BY PIRATES. In the same year Irving sailed for Sicily, and when off the island of Planoca the packet in which he had taken passage was captured by pirates, ragged and fierce-looking fellows, wearing pistols and cutlasses in their belts. They were released, however, after the pirates had helped themselves to provisions and had taken all the liquor there was aboard. At Messina Irving saw the splendid fleet of Lord Nelson pass through the straits in search of the French fleet that had lately put out from Toulon. In Rome he had a taste of those social pleasures of which he was so fond, and to which he devoted a great portion of his life. Among those who entertained him royally at Rome was a banker nomed Torlonia. He showed Irving as much attention as if he had been a foreign prince or potentate on his travels. It was afterwards learned that Torlonia had supposed Irving to be a near relative of General Washington. Upon his return to America-in 1806-he associated himself with an elder brother in the publication of a semi-monthly periodical called "Salmagundi," which freely criticised the people and the follies of the times. POLITICS IN 1806. Although Irving had passed his examination for admission to the bar, by the "skin of his teeth," as the saying is, he had few clients, and about this time he decided to pay some attention to politics, which was the quickest and surest road to distinction. He soon became disgusted with political life, as is shown by the following record he left of his brief experience: "We have toiled through the purgatory of an election. What makes me the more outrageous is, that I got thoroughly drawn into the vortex, and before the third day was expired I was as deep in mud and politics as ever a moderate gentleman would wish to be; and I drank beer with the multitude; and I talked hand-bill fashion to the demagogues; and I shook hands with the mob, whom my heart abhorreth. 'Tis true, for the first two days I maintained my coolness and indifference. The first day I merely hunted for whim, character and absurdity, according to my usual custom; the second day being rainy, I sat in the barroom at the Seventh ward and read a volume of 'Galatea,' which I found on a shelf; but before I had got through a hundred pages I had three or four good Feds. sprawling around me on the floor, and another with his eyes half shut, leaning on my shoulder in the most affectionate manner and spelling a page of the book as if it had been an electioneering hand-bill. But the third day-ah! then came the tug of war. My patriotism then blazed forth, and I determined to save my country! Oh, my friend, I have been in such holes and corners; such filthy nooks and filthy corners, sweep offices and oyster cellars! 'I have sworn brother to a leash of drawers, and can drink with any tinker in his own. language during my life'-faugh! I shall not be able to bear the smell of small beer and tobacco for a month to come. Truly, this saving one's coun try is a nauseous piece of business, and if patriotism is such a dirty virtueprithee, no more of it." Irving was one of the attorneys retained by Aaron Burr in his trial for treason. He attended the trial at Richmond, but practically took no part in the conduct of the case. His naturally tender heart caused him to sympathize with Burr, although Irving and Hamilton belonged to the same political party, and were close friends. IN DOLLY MADISON'S DRAWING-ROOM. Soon after Salmagundi had suspended publication Irving published his famous Knickerbocker "History of New York." He was then twenty-six years old. Instead of continuing to follow literature, he engaged in an importing business, and was sent to Washington to look after tariff legislation which affected the articles in which they dealt, but instead of spending his time with members of Congress he devoted it almost entirely to the brilliant society of Baltimore ana Washington, and instead of writing his brother concerning the legislation he was sent to look after his letters were filled with descriptions of odd characters he met at the national capital. Although he and the President belonged to opposing political parties, Irving and Mrs. Madison were fast friends. He has left this little glimpse of a White House party: "I emerged from dirt and darkness into the blazing splendor of Mrs. Madison's drawing-room. Here I was most graciously received; found a crowded collection of great and little men, of ugly old women and beautiful young ones, and in ten minutes was hand and glove with half the people in the assemblage. Mrs. Madison is a fine, portly, buxom dame, who has a smile and a pleasant word for everybody. Her sisters-Mrs. Cutts and Mrs. Washington-are like two merry wives of Windsor; but as to Jemmy Madison-oh, poor Jemmy! He is but a little withered apple-john." IRVING IN THE WAR OF 1812. From the outbreak of the War of 1812 Irving, although an intense Federalist and an admirer of England, was in full sympathy with his own country. He remained inactive, however, until the burning of the National Capitol and the White House by General Ross. He was aboard a steamboat on the Hudson when he heard of it. Some one of the passengers wondered what Jimmy Madison would say now. "Sir," retorted Mr. Irving, indignantly, "do you seize upon such a dis |