LIFE AND LETTERS

OF

WASHINGTON IRVING.

CHAPTER I.

LETTER TO WILLIAM IRVING-A STEAMBOAT ENTERPRISE-EMBARKS THE VALUE OF HIS LITERARY PROPERTY IN IT-HOW WILLIAM AND JOHN REGARDED THE PROJECT-LODGINGS IN PARIS-GROWING POPULARITY OF THE SKETCHBOOK IN ENGLAND-ITS PARENTAGE ASCRIBED TO SCOTT-CORRESPONDENCE ON THE SUBJECT-CHRISTMAS INVITATION-MURRAY AUTHORIZES DRAFT OF

ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS FOR SKETCH-BOOK, IN ADDITION TO THE TERMS AGREED UPON, AND PUBLISHES KNICKERBOCKER-LETTER TO LESLIE-HIS DESIGNS FOR KNICKERBOCKER-HIS MAY-DAY-HIS LIKENESS OF GEOFFREYPETER POWELL's burlesque ACCOUNT OF ITS COSTUME-THE AUTHOR'S SENSITIVE COMMENT, AND LESLIE'S REPLY-SUBJECTS CHOSEN BY LESLIE FOR KNICKERBOCKER-THE AUTHOR'S OPINION OF THEM-INCREASING REPUTATION

IN ENGLAND.

HE two brothers left London for Paris on the 17th

THE

of August, taking Havre in their way. Here a prospect seemed to open of starting Peter in a safe enterprise, as Washington thought, and the following letter to William, the last I have found addressed to that brother, will show with what ready zeal he embarked in it. I do not hesitate to give this letter, be

cause it serves to illustrate one of the most beautiful traits in his character-his fidelity to the fraternal relation. "Brotherhood," is his language to me, in a letter many years later, "is a holy alliance made by God and imprinted in our hearts, and we should adhere to it with religious faith. The more kindly and scrupulously we observe its dictates, the happier for us." His whole life was an exemplification of this sentiment.

I ought to have mentioned before, that Peter and he had occupied the same lodgings in London for about a year, during which this brother gave anonymously to the world a Venetian tale, taken from the French, entitled Giovanni Sbogarro, which he had written at Birmingham. It was published in London and in New York, but belonging as it did to a school of fiction that was passing away under the brilliant advent of Scott, its pecuniary success was not very encouraging.

[To William Irving.

PARIS, Sept. 22, 1820.

MY DEAR BROTHER:

I have just drawn two sets of Exchange on you, one at 60 and another at 90 days for $1,000 each. I presume Peter has written at large about the project to promote which these bills are drawn. I will, however, give a few particulars. On our way from England here we stopped at Havre, where we unexpectedly found Mr. Edward Church, who had just put a steamboat on the Seine, to run between Havre and Rouen. It had made but one trip; but the prospects were so favorable

that Mr. Beasley, our consul, who is well acquainted with the river and its localities, had entered warmly into the enterprise. We took passage in the steamboat for Rouen, and were struck with the populousness of the banks of the river, the quantity of traffic carried on upon its waters, and the magnificence of the scenery. It appeared to be one of the most advantageous places possible for steam navigation, both as to procuring freight and passengers; and we both at the same time conceived the idea that a share in a new enterprise of the kind would be a most promising mode of turning a small amount of money and some activity of talent and exertion to large account. It was not like a mere random experiment, for Mr. Church, the conductor of the enterprise, had already proved his capacity by his very successful attempts on the Garonne. The circumstance, too, of the parties owning the boat being such intimate friends was greatly in favor of a participation in the concern. After our arrival in Paris, we talked the matter over with one another and with Mr. Church, and Peter wrote to Beasley. He has since been at Rouen and is at present at Havre, where, after making minute examinations, all which tend to confirm us more and more in our anticipations, he has made arrangements for taking a share in the general concern. (which will include two other boats about to be built) to the amount of ten thousand dollars. I have agreed to embark onehalf of the amount, ($5,000,) which I trust is not more than the value of my literary property in the hands of E. I., and shall draw on you to that amount. As it will no doubt be in advance of the proceeds of my writings, you must avail yourself of them as they come in; or, if it is necessary to your convenience, you may dispose of the copyrights.

I am induced to take this share in the enterprise, not from

a desire of making money for myself, but to enable Peter to lay hold of what I consider the best, and indeed what is the only chance for getting into fortune's way again, that has presented since our disasters. It will once more give him employment, and employment to which he is particularly adapted by the turn of his mind and his personal activity; and I think it will pay him largely for his trouble. I shall not enter any further into the scheme myself, nor shall I take any active part. The part we take will be entirely in his name. I shall turn my attention entirely to literary pursuits; and I think I shall pursue them with more cheerfulness when I see prosperity once more dawning around us.

Peter, who had the most confident anticipations that the enterprise would prove very lucrative when it got into further operation, had just written to his brothers William and John, requesting that one or both of them, as they found convenient, should advance him a loan of five thousand dollars, (his proportion,) and either send it to him, or authorize him to draw for the amount. It is in reference to this application that Washington adds: "I trust you will all exert yourselves to launch him fairly in this enterprise, which he seems to look upon as his last cast."

The brothers, however, to whom he made the appeal, were very far from seeing the matter in the same favorable light. They were annoyed at their remaining abroad, and recoiled from the idea of launching them in an adventure which threatened to prolong their stay, without, as they thought, any prospect of advan

tage. With every disposition to promote their true interests, therefore, but wishing to frustrate the whole scheme as far as they were concerned, they refused to furnish the capital required. John wrote for further explanations to Peter and then declined, while William, whose health was failing and whose life was soon to close, felt himself compelled to withhold acceptance from the drafts of Washington, that he might not facilitate the fulfilment of a purpose which, in his foreboding spirit, might only lead anew to sordid entanglement, without benefiting either him or Peter. "They have acted as they thought for my interest," wrote Washington to Brevoort, "and were no doubt persuaded that by refusing my drafts they would prevent my engaging in what they thought an injudicious enterprise." It would have been well if it could have had that effect, but unfortunately for Washington he had already committed himself. The drafts were for an interest actually purchased in the concern, and he was obliged, in consequence, to have recourse to other means for raising the necessary advance.

Alluding to the well-intended refusal of his brothers to honor his drafts, he writes to Brevoort: "I am confident they do it out of a zeal for my interest, but a man may be killed even by kindness."

The result of the enterprise vindicated the brotherly anxiety of William and John in shrinking back from aiding him to embark in it. Meanwhile, as Peter had failed of a share of the property, an agency was opened

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