after expressing his sincere intention of cultivating the most friendly relations with our country, took occasion to speak in very handsome terms of General Jackson, and charged Mr. McLane to communicate to the old general his personal good will and his esteem for his character and conduct. Our diplo matic situation, therefore, at this court is as favorable and gratifying as we could desire, being treated with marked respect and friendliness by the royal family, and by the various members of the administration, both of the old and new ministry; and all this appears to be spontaneous; as, while we have fulfilled all the usual forms of mere civility and etiquette, we have never courted any favor or attention, but have rather held ourselves in reserve, and let the advance be made from the other party.

I trust the general effect of our mission here will be to place the relations of the two countries of a more amiable footing, generally, and at the same time to establish freer intercourse personally for our diplomacy at this court, where it was formerly received with coldness and reserve. Nothing can be more easy and frank than the manner with which at present we are enabled to carry on our business with the ministers and at the public offices. These considerations in some measure reconcile me to the interruption this diplomatic episode has made in my quiet literary life, and console me amidst the official bustle, and the distractions of court pageantry and London life, which after all have no longer novelty or charm for me, and are a grievous tax upon my spirits.

Dolgorouki has received orders from his court, regularly attaching him to the embassy here, with a great augmentation of his appointments. He will therefore remain in London.

This is very gratifying, to me, as he is a very interesting

and valuable companion, and I believe is most sincerely and strongly attached to me. He has taken up his quarters in Maddox street, so that he is close at hand. I find him a great stimulator to me in literary matters.

I dined a few days since with David Wilkie, who is getting on with his picture of John Knox preaching. I believe you have seen the study for it. It will, I think, be his grandest production, and will distance all modern competition. in his art. It is admirable to see the simplicity of the man, surrounded by the splendid productions of his genius. Theodore* called on him a few days since with a young American about his own age, who had a great desire to see Wilkie. Honest David laid by his pencil, and attended to the two lads as if they had been the most important connoisseurs. He showed them all his paintings, sketches, drawings, &c. Theodore came home quite in raptures.

Newton has three subjects in hand: One, Bassanio reading the letter, and his wife anxiously watching him. The subject is not striking, but he will make a beautiful picture of it by the, effect of coloring, dresses, &c. Another is, Lear reclining in a chair, with the physician on one side, and Cordelia on the other. The figure of Lear, as merely sketched, is very grand. I think the picture will be very effective. The third is a pretty little thing from Pope's Rape of the Lock-Belinda contemplating herself in her toilet glass. It will have the charm of Newton's grace and color.

Leslie is employed on a small picture of Petruchio in the scene with the tailor, &c. I have not seen it.

*A son of his brother Ebenezer, who had visited him at Madrid in 1828, and was now about to return to the United States.

Kenney has made his appearance of late, more weazen than ever. He has a romantic drama in blank verse coming out at Drury Lane, founded on a Spanish subject, and I believe taken originally from a Spanish play. It has some striking scenes, but I think the "situations" are produced by rather extravagant means. Still John has a coarse palate and strong stomach, and relishes powerful dishes.

Payne has also revisited the glimpses of the sun, and has dined with me. He is as fresh and fair as a rose, and appeared to be in marvellous good spirits, notwithstanding that he was as usual up to the ears with negotiations for some half a dozen pieces of various kinds. He left a three act comedy with me for perusal a long time since, which has really some very good scenes, and is accepted at the theatre on condition that he will reduce it to two acts, which, in fact, would be an improvement. As I have heard nothing from Payne on the subject for some time past, I apprehend that he has forgotten this one of his multifarious offspring.

I close the record of this year with the following passage from a letter to his brother Peter, who was now suffering under a return of his headaches, which had made him sensitive to all the noises and interruptions of Paris, without being able to enjoy its amusements. He had therefore retired to Havre, for "a little quiet life, under the wing of the worthy Tom Tug," as Washington was fond of styling Peter's true and kind-hearted friend, the American Consul Beasley. "Give Tom Tug a hearty embrace for me," is one of his affectionate messages to Peter.

The letter from which the extract is taken, is dated December 21, 1830. The volume is the Voyages of the Companions of Columbus; a work to which he had been prompted by Peter.

A few days since I sent the last page of the volume of Voyages to the printer, and have since received three notes of hand from Murray, dated Dec. 17, at six, nine, and twelve months, for £175, making five hundred guineas, or £525. I have endorsed them over and remitted them to H. Van Wart, with orders to pass them to your credit. They will form a fund, therefore, which you can draw against whenever you please.

CHAPTER XXVI.

VISITS BIRMINGHAM-VERPLANCK-PAULDING-SLIDELL'S YEAR IN SPAIN, AND THE REVIEW IN THE LONDON QUARTERLY-BARGAIN WITH CAREY & LEA FOR THE VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS-LETTER TO BREVOORT-A CHANGE IN THE EMBASSY-THE AUTHOR CHARGE-LETTER TO LOUIS MCLANE-ARRIVAL OF MR. VAN BUREN, THE NEW MINISTER-LETTER TO LOUIS MCLANE-RELIEVED FROM THE LEGATION-LAST MEETING WITH SIR WALTER SCOTT-NEWTON'S SECOND LIKENESS-LETTER TO MRS. PARIS-BARLBOROUGH HALL-HARDWICKE CASTLE-NEWSTEAD ABBEY-DERANGEMENT OF LITERARY PLANS-REFORM AND CHOLERA.

IN

N the beginning of this year, Mr. Irving went to his sister's at Birmingham, where he remained four or five weeks, hoping to do something "in the way of composition," and whence he writes to Peter, February 3:

It will grieve me to leave this most comfortable and delightful little nest, where one is surrounded by so many domestic enjoyments, with nothing from without to "molest one or make one afraid." I should have enjoyed my visit much more, however, could I have turned it to advantage in a literary way. I came down prepared for the purpose, with my trunk half filled with manuscripts; but, though I had every convenience and facility for literary occupation, I have been