WASHINGTON IRVING. 79 



it was from misery that he came to redeem 

 him. 



If English writers have done so much to 

 impress us with the joys of their country Hfe, 

 the purest writer of the purest prose in Amer- 

 ica has surpassed all of them in such descrip- 

 tions. Where, then, should he be more appre- 

 ciated than by those who dwell about his old 

 home ! Truly, the proverb is sometimes at 

 fault. This prophet is held in honor in his own 

 country. I once visited him at Sunnyside. It 

 was Sunnyside. He must have unconsciously 

 named it for himself, for he was the sunshine 

 of all around him. 



Among all classes along the bank of the 

 Hudson he was personally known and loved. 

 A few days before we called upon him he had 

 been strolling about the country and had inad- 

 vertently crossed a farmer's field. The owner, 

 supposing him to be a tramp, had ordered him 

 off with coarse and insolent words; but having 

 discovered his mistake, he came to the cottage 

 to offer his apology in most abject terms. *' I 

 was very sorry," said the courteous old man — • 

 *' not because of what he had said to me in the 

 first instance, but for his needless humiliation 

 when he came to see me. However, I think 



