367 



four volumes of the '^ Analectic Magazine," conducted in Philadel- 

 phia by Mr. Moses Thomas ; of this he was for a few years the 

 editor. The special interest connected with his contributions is due 

 to their being published during the war of 1812, which made our 

 navy and its worthy officers popular and famous. 



His own reviews and biographical sketches are without any dis- 

 tinguishing mark in that periodical; those of Verplanck and others, 

 being subscribed by certain letters. They are principally biographi- 

 cal sketches of Thomas Campbell, of Major Murray, of Robert Ful- 

 ton, of Wertmiiller, of Captain James Lawrence of the Chesapeake, 

 of Lieutenant Burrows, of Commodore Perry, of Commodore Decatur 

 before his death, and of George Frederick Cooke the actor. These 

 are written in a popular style and are very interesting. 



For the convenience of Irving, who resided in New York, Mr. 

 Thomas had the magazine printed there, instead of in Philadelphia. 

 Irving, with characteristic modesty, has refused to permit these 

 magazine sketches to be collected in a volume. 



Prosperity as a merchant might have led to no greater efforts of 

 his genius : but that mysterious Providence, which orders all things 

 right, withheld this success. In 1817 the mercantile house failed. 

 Irving was thrown upon his own resources. His pen became his 

 staff and support. Thus one merchant-prince out of thousands of 

 aldermanic tastes and proportions was lost to the metropolis. One 

 Irving, with no rival, was gained to American literature. 



In 1819 he published the " Sketch-Book." The pieces were writ- 

 ten in London, but sent to America for publication. The pseudonym 

 was "Geoffrey Crayon, Gentleman." 



It was received in both countries with unusual favor. In America, 

 because it was the work of an American, in a time when there was 

 no American literature ; in England, because it was in parts illustra- 

 tive of English life and manners, and because it leaned genially and 

 reverently to English customs and prejudices, at a time when we 

 were taught by even Christian example to love all our enemies, ex- 

 cept the English ; a sort of qualification to the Sermon on the Mount, 

 yet existing in the creed of many. The " Sketch-Book" was essen- 

 tially English ; it was almost the first American book read in Eng- 

 land ; it was praised, I had almost said nnduli/, by English reviews. 

 No! it was worthy of all their praise; for, does it not contain that 

 noble notice of Roscoe, his fellow-merchant and author, his fellow- 

 sufferer by the reverses of commerce ? In it have we not the won- 

 derful sleep of Rip Van Winkle, and the fearful headless horseman 

 of Sleepy Hollow ? 



