14 



Indiana University Studies 



either positively or by implication, that he is a painter. We fre- 

 quently find, in their writings, such expressions as "charming de- 

 scriptions", "the most brilliant descriptions", "exquisite pictures". 

 Saint-Fargeau maintains in his Revue des romans (1839, p. 354) that 

 Irving's descriptive talent sometimes rises to the height of that of 

 Cooper. The fidelity of his descriptions of nature is recognized quite 

 generally, but his portrayal of manners has not been considered so 

 successful. Following are a few illustrations: "Not only is he able to 

 see but he conscientiously reproduces what he sees."^° "In his writings 

 you find pictures that are restful and true."^^ "Washington Irving has 

 written admirable sketches of English and American life."^^ "You 

 can really see the landscape that the author is describing. "^^ Note 

 also the following concerning his portraits: "these portraits so care- 

 fully drawn" "The personages live and move before your eyes, 

 each one in his individual dress and character. "^.^ On the other hand, 

 his paintings of old English customs have been called "strained" and 

 "flattering". Fontaney thinks that Irving's appreciation of Spain 

 and its customs was fairly good even if he did not fully comprehend its 

 poetic aspects (p. 517). One critic (anonymous) has even claimed 

 that Irving was not fortunate enough to understand his own country.^^ 



It is asserted, in the second place, that Irving is a historian, even 

 in his works of fiction. In the words of M. Milne, "the antiquarian 

 shows thru the artist" (p. vii). . This phase of his talent is first shown, 

 according to M. Eyma, in Bracebridge Hall. "If Irving has not yet 

 the right to call himself a historian," he says, "he is no longer exactly 

 a novelist" (p. 668). He finds that in the tales of the Alhambra, the 

 historical aspect of Irving's talent is still more marked. "In these 

 stories," he says, "Washington Irving strives, as he always does, to be 

 a true historian and nothing but a historian" (p. 676). Another says, 

 "His works are neither exactly novels nor history. "^^ If, however, 

 one may consider the estimate recorded in the Grande Encyclopedie 

 as a faithful reflection of French feeling concerning this point Irving 

 "is to be counted a litterateur rather than a historian." 



Several writers have affirmed that Irving is also a poet. "His 

 temperament is essentially poetic," says M. Samuel in the Encyclopedie 

 mentioned above. "In 'Rural Funerals'," says M. Haussaire, "you 



20 Milne, p. vii. 



21 Critioue frangaise, p. 398. 



22 Bourgeault, Histoire des lilteralures etrangeres (1876), 237. 



23 Sedley, p. xvii. 



24 pievet, p. xii. 



25 Sedley, p. xvii. 



2fi Globe, 1827, p. 415. 

 27 Quesnel, p. 125. 



