myself as to this appointment until absolutely necessary, as I may hear from you in the interim, and be induced to change my plans. My Spanish materials I can work up in England, where I can have all the necessary works, and where you will be within reach to consult with. Should I find the office of Secretary of Legation irksome in any respect, or detrimental to my literary plans, I will immediately throw it up, being fortu nately independent of it, both as to circumstances and as to ambition.

I cannot help smiling at the real source of this unlooked-for honor. That I should have that fat, jolly little tar, Jack Nicholson, for a patron! I confess there is something so extremely whimsical in this caprice of fortune that I cannot help feeling in good humor with it. Little Jack has had a kind of dogged, determined kindness for me now for about twenty-five years, ever since he took a liking for me on our getting tipsy together at Richmond, in Virginia, at the time of Burr's trial. It is a proof of the odd way in which this mad world is governed, when a Secretary of State of a stern republic gives away offices of the kind at the recommendation of a jovial little man of the seas like Jack Nicholson.

The next day Mr. Irving was informed that his old friend Paulding, who was at Washington at the time, had earnestly seconded the appointment, and indeed, had been a principal hand in promoting it. A day or two after, he received a letter from Paulding strongly urging his acceptance, and advising him in that event to repair immediately to London to meet Mr. McLane, the newly appointed Minister to the

Court of St. James, about the time of his arrival. He wrote to that gentleman the next day as follows:

MY DEAR SIR:

[To Louis McLane, London.]

ALHAMBRA, GRANADA, July 22, 1829.

I have just received intelligence of my being appointed Secretary of Legation to the Court of St. James, and that I am expected to join you in London as soon as possible. It gives me great satisfaction, sir, to be associated in office with one of whom public report and the private communications of my friends speak in the highest terms of eulogy. I shall make all possible despatch in arriving at London, but must crave indulgence should I not be there as early as you could wish. This intelligence has been entirely unexpected, and has found me in the midst of occupations and engagements of a literary nature, from which it will require a few days to disentangle myself. The travelling in Spain, also, is slow, particularly at this sultry season. I trust, however, I shall be able to join you towards the end of August.

In the mean time, my dear sir, I remain with great respect and esteem, Your very humble servant,

WASHINGTON IRVING.

To Mr. Everett he wrote the same day :

MY DEAR SIR:

ALHAMBRA, July 22, 1829.

It is with great regret that I perceive your name among the number of those who have fallen beneath the edge of the old general's sword; which certainly spares not. As you seemed to be in some measure prepared for the event, and are