Dec. 9th.-A night of broken sleep and uneasy thoughtsdreamt I was at Welles, who was making out an accountnervous in the morning. but excitable--scribbled a little on Essays-subject, theatres-made minutes for Essay on effect of natural scenery on character-get extremely excited-Mr. Guestier came in and sat some little while-found afterwards that I could not write.

Dec. 10th -Full of excitement, and anxious to sketch Essay on American scenery but harassed by noises in the houses, until I had to go out in despair, and write in Mr. Guestier's library.

Dec. 25th.-ChristmasFor some time past, indeed ever since I have resumed my pen, my mind has been tranquil. I sleep better and feel pleasanter.

Saturday, Dec. 31st.-Write letters-walk out-fine cool weather-all the world buying bonbons-dined at homeafterwards walked out with Mr. Johnston, accompanying him through Boutiques of bonbons-evening at Mrs. Johnston'splay chess in the night, military music in the street-serenading the commandant, who lives opposite. So closes the year-tranquil in mind, though doubtful of fortune and full of uncertainties--a year very little of which I would willingly live over again, though some parts have been tolerably pleasant.

CHAPTER XIV.

LETTER TO ALEXANDER H. EVERETT-EXTRACTS FROM DIARY-A TRANSLATION OF NAVARRETE SUGGESTED TO HIM BY MR. EVERETT-LETTER THEREUPONMURRAY'S ENTANGLEMENT-LETTER TO LESLIE-LESLIE'S REPLY-ARRIVAL AT MADRID-THE AMERICAN CONSUL, O. RICH-DETERMINES UPON A REGULAR LIFE OF COLUMBUS-LITERARY ACTIVITY — DIVERTED FROM COLUMBUS TO CONQUEST OF GRANADA-LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER SLIDELL-CLOSE OF 1826.

IT

T was during this period, while busying himself on these American Essays, none of which have ever appeared in print or been preserved, that he addressed the following letter to Mr. Alexander II. Everett, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Madrid, whom he had met in Paris in the summer of 1825.

MY DEAR SIR.

[To Alexander H. Everett.]

BORDEAUX, Jan. 12, 1826.

When writing to you a day or two since I felt disposed to make a request, but a scruple of diffidence and delicacy with held me. Perhaps I gave that scruple too great importance, so I will at once make my request, and if there is the least difficulty or objection to complying with it, do not hesitate frankly to say so. You mentioned last summer that should you come to Spain, you would attach me to the embassy, by

way of a protection. Now being so near Spain, and having a strong inclination to visit it, I may be induced to do so in the course of the spring, should circumstances permit. This will depend entirely upon letters which I am waiting here to receive, and which will determine my movements. Could I come into Spain at once I would do so, but it is out of my power. As I may enter Spain by the Mediterranean Sea, and make a tour before visiting Madrid, it would be perhaps an advantage and protection to me in the present state of the country, to be able at any time to announce myself as attached to the embassy. May I therefore consider myself as an attaché, and can I be so attached while at a distance, and before coming to Madrid. I am quite ignorant whether there are any forms necessary, or whether it does not rest with the minister by his mere word, expressed or written, to attach whom he pleases to his mission. At any rate, as this is a mere matter of travelling accommodation, I do not wish any trouble to be taken about it, nor that it should cause any departure from common usage and etiquette. So, as I said before, if there is the least shadow of objection, do not hesitate to say so, and there let the matter end. With kind remembrances to Mrs. Everett and your niece, I am, my dear Sir,

Very truly your friend,

WASHINGTON IRVING.

In the interval between the date of this letter and that which is to succeed, his diary gives the following insight into his literary occupation.

January 12th.-Wrote comparison of patriot and dema

gogue.

Monday, January 16th.-Retouched and altered story of French Emigré.

Thursday, January 19th.-Wrote all the morning at Essay on American Rural Life.

January 20th.-Wrote all day at Essay on Union.

21st.-Finished Essay on Union.

22d.-Wrote at Essay on Public Prosperity.

23d. Continued Essay on Public Prosperity.

24th.-Wrote a little at Probity of Dealings, but was fidgety and could not get on.

25th.-Finished Essay on Probity.

26th.-Wrote at Essay on National Character-made but little progress.

27th.-Teased myself all the morning trying to write on Naval Essay-got out of all mood and went out.

28th.-Tried to write on Essays, but gave up in despair. 29th.-Wrote all day at Essay on Navy, and finished it at five oclock.

Monday, 30th.-Added some passages to Essay on Navyreceived letter from Mr. Everett, attaching me to embassy at Madrid, enclosing passport, and proposing my translating voy. age of Columbus.

31st. Wrote letter to Mr. Everett-re-wrote part of Essay on Education of Youth.

The letter of Mr. Everett, proposed a translation of Navarrete's Voyages of Columbus, which were about to appear, and suggested the probability of his receivmg £1,500 or £1,000 for it. It found him, as we see, engaged upon another literary theme, which he did

not propose to abandon in embracing this, though such was the result. The allusion to Murray at the close of the letter I now give, will be understood when the reader is informed that Murray was about setting up a newspaper, for which, as Mr. Irving was informed by one of his correspondents, he had already deposited £40,000 in the Bank of England.

[To Alexander II. Everett, U. S. Minister at Madrid.]

MY DEAR SIR:

BORDEAUX, January 31, 1826.

I feel very much obliged to you for the passport you have been so prompt in forwarding to me, and am highly gratified in being attached to a legation that is so ably and creditably filled. I must return you my thanks also for the literary undertaking you have suggested to me. The very idea of it animates me; it is just the kind of employment I would wish at present for my spare hours. I will thank you, therefore, to secure it for me. I shall write immediately to London to have propositions made to Murray, and, in case he does not accept them, to some other eminent publisher. I doubt whether I shall be able to get as much as you suppose for a translation, as there is always a chance for competition and piracy; but, be that as it may, there is something in the job itself that interests and pleases me, and will assist to compensate me for my trouble. I feel the more emboldened to take hold of the thing from my brother's having promised to assist me in it, so as to enable me to execute it speedily and yet not negligently, and at the same time without suffering it to interfere entirely with other pur suits. My brother is but slightly acquainted with the Spanish