Chapter Washington Irving of Index by Simonds History of American Literature

aghast, and withered at the sight -- rocks burrowed in the ground like rabbits -- and even Christina Creek turned from its course, and ran up a hill in breathless terror."

Significance of Knickerbocker.

There is greater significance in the appearance of the Knickerbocker History of New York than at first appears. From our modern point of view it was the first American book.¹ Not only was it the starting- point of the Knickerbocker tradition, but it was pleasing testimony to the fact that even in the recently developed civilization of the New World material existed which possessed true literary value; and that in the evolution of its artistic spirit America had arrived where she might hope to produce works of the creative imagination -- where her representatives might be recognized as men of letters, abroad as well as at home.

Reception of Knickerbocker.

While the lively humor of Knickerbocker proved unnecessarily irritating to some of the descendants of the Dutch heroes so cleverly caricatured by Irving, the good-natured laughter of the historian was understood and heartily echoed by most of Irving's contemporaries. In England the History was read and applauded. It proved the introduction of Irving to the literary circle in which he was soon to mingle; and Sir Walter Scott declared that it was as good as the work of Jonathan Swift. He afterward told its author that he had read it aloud to his household, and that they had laughed over its pages till their sides were sore.

In Business.

Still Irving remained undecided as to future plans of life. Uncongenial though it was, he became a partner with his brothers in the hardware business, for the most part attending to the interests of the firm outside of New York. He traveled much and was a familiar as well as a welcome figure in the society of Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore. During the war of 1812, he bore himself patriotically and offered his services to the state. He was in fact made governor's aid and military secretary, and was addressed as "Colonel."

The Second Voyage.

In 1815, Washington Irving made his second trip to Europe, expecting to be absent but a few months; he remained abroad seventeen years. He was occupied with the business affairs of the firm, which were at this time in a bad way; still he found time for occasional visits to some of the principal towns of England, making congenial acquaintance with distinguished persons. It was in 1817 that he paid that visit of personal tribute to Walter Scott, which he has so charmingly described in the sketch of Abbotsford.

The Sketch-Book, 1819.

With the business failure of Irving Brothers in 1818, a crisis came in the personal affairs of the younger brother, and Washington Irving betook himself more seriously to literary effort. The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Esq., was published in America, in 1819. This first series contained the first five of the sketches including Rip Van Winkle. The completed work appeared in 1820. It proved an instant success in America, and with its issue by a British publisher that same year Irving's literary fame was established. The genial spirit, delicate humor, and graceful sentiment, together with its flowing diction, placed the Sketch-Book among the best examples of this familiar essay type in our literature. Twice in this volume does Irving utilize for his sketches material drawn from the old Dutch associations of Manhattan and the Highlands of the Hudson. In the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle, we recognize two masterpieces, our most popular classics in the field of the short story. Among the thirty odd papers which comprise the Sketch-Book, there are several conceived in the old spirit of the Spectator essays, notably those on The Boar's Head Tavern, Westminster Abbey, Rural Funerals, The Pride of the Village, and The Angler. A group of studies dealing with the household pleasures of the holiday season