Down the broad valley fast and far The troubled army fled : Up rose the glorious morning star, The ghastly host was dead. I have read, in the marvellous heart of man, 25 The shadows sweep away. The midnight phantoms feel the spell, And when the solemn and deep church-bell Down the broad Vale of Tears afar 45 The spectral camp is fled; Faith shineth as a morning star, Our ghastly fears are dead. THE GOBLET OF LIFE. FILLED is Life's goblet to the brim ; With solemn voice and slow. No purple flowers, no garlands green, Thick leaves of mistletoe. This goblet, wrought with curious art, Are running all to waste. And as it mantling passes round, With fennel is it wreathed and crowned, And give a bitter taste. Above the lowly plants it towers, Was gifted with the wondrous powers It gave new strength, and fearless mood; 5 ΙΟ 15 20 25 330 Through all that dark and desperate fight, He asked but the return of sight, To see his foeman's face. Let our unceasing, earnest prayer Be, too, for light, for strength to bear Our portion of the weight of care 40 45 35 CHAPTER VIII. WASHINGTON IRVING, 1783-1859. "If he wishes to study a style which possesses the characteristic beauties of Addison's, its ease, simplicity, and elegance, with greater accuracy, point, and spirit, let him give his days and nights to the volumes of Irving.". EDWARD EVERETT'S Advice to a Student. WASHINGTON IRVING, one of the earliest and most popular of American authors, and of whom Thackeray happily spoke as "the first ambassador whom the New World of letters sent to the Old," was born in New York City in 1783. He received only a common-school education, leaving the schoolroom at sixteen, yet for many years afterward pursued a systematic course of reading of the standard authors, especially Chaucer, Spenser, and Bunyan. In his boyhood days he seemed to have a natural talent for writing essays and stories. As he always detested mathematics, he often wrote compositions for his schoolmates, and they in turn worked out his problems for him. He studied law for a time, but, not being inclined. to submit to the drudgery of a profession, preferred to employ himself in rambling excursions around Manhattan Island, by which he became familiar with the beautiful scenery which he afterward made famous by his pen. Thus he acquired that minute knowledge of various historical locations, curious traditions and legends, so beauti fully made use of in his "Sketch-Book" and "History of New York." In 1804, being threatened with pulmonary disease, he sailed for Europe, and remained abroad for nearly two years. On his return, he undertook to resume his legal practice, but without success. In company with others, he began the publication of a serial called "Salmagundi." WASHINGTON IRVING. and It was well conducted, and proved successful. In 1809 he published his "Knickerbocker's History of New York," "the most unique, perfectly rounded, elaborately sustained burlesque in our literature." He conducted a magazine. in Philadelphia for two years, to which he contributed articles afterward included in "The SketchBook." In 1814 he served as an aide to Gov. Tomp kins, and at the end of the war again went to Europe, where he continued to live for the next seventeen years. By the failure of his brother he lost all his property; and, having been thus thrown upon his own resources, he devoted himself to literature to earn a living. His "SketchBook" was published in 1819. By the personal influence of Sir Walter Scott it was republished in London, and at once established Irving's reputation as a great author. His next works were "Bracebridge Hall," published in 1822, and "Tales of a Traveller" in 1824. Having been |