Washington Irving （b. 1783,d. 1859）. This distinguished author,whose works have enriched American literature,was born in the city of New York. He had an ordinary school education,and began his literary career at the age of nineteen,by writing for a paper published by his brother. His first book,"Salmagundi," was published in 1807. Twyears later he published "Knickerbocker's History of New York." In 1815 he sailed for Europe,and remained abroad seventeen years,during which time he wrote several of his works. From 1842 t1846 he was minister tSpain. The last years of his life were passed at "Sunnyside," near Tarrytown,N.Y. He was never married. "The Life of Washington," his last work,was completed in the same year in which he died. Mr. Irving's works are characterized by humor,chaste sentiment,and elegance and correctness of expression. The following selection is from "Dolph" in "Bracehridge Hall."
1.In the second day of the voyage,they came tthe Highlands. It was the latter part of a calm,sultry day,that they floated gently with the tide between these stern mountains. There was that perfect quiet which prevails over nature in the languor1 of summer heat. The turning of a plank,or the accidental falling of an oar,on deck,was echoed from the mountain side and reverberated along the shores;and,if by chance the captain gave a shout of command,there were airy tongues that mocked it from every cliff.
2.Dolph gazed about him,in mute delight and wonder,at these scenes of nature's magnificence. Tthe left,the Dunderberg reared its woody precipices,height over height,forest over forest,away intthe deep summer sky. Tthe right,strutted forth the bold promontory1Languor,exhaustion of strength,dullness.
of Antony's Nose,with a solitary eagle wheeling about it;while beyond,mountain succeeded tmountain,until they seemed tlock their arms together and confine this mighty rive in their embraces.
3.In the midst of this admiration,Dolph remarked1a pile ofbright,snowy clouds peering above the western heights. It was succeeded by another,and another,each seemingly pushing onward its predecessor2,and towering,with dazzling brilliancy,in the deep blue atmosphere;and now muttering peals of thunder were faintly heard rolling behind the mountains. The river,hithertstill and glassy,reflecting pictures of the sky and land,now showed a dark ripple at a distance,as the wind came creeping up it. The fishhawks wheeled and screamed,and sought their nests on the high,dry trees;the crows flew clamorously3 tthe crevices of the rocks;and all nature seemed conscious of the approaching thunder gust.
4.The clouds now rolled in volumes over the mountain tops;their summits still bright and snowy,but the lower parts of an inky blackness. The rain began tpatter down in broad and scattered drops;the wind freshened,and curled up the waves;at length,it seemed as if the bellying4 clouds were torn open by the mountain tops,and complete torrents of rain came rattling down. The lightning leaped from cloud tcloud,and streamed quivering against the rocks,splitting and rending the stoutest forest trees. The thunder burst in tremendous explosions;the peals were echoed from mountain tmountain;they crashed upon Dunderberg,and then rolled up the long defile5 of the Highlands,each headland making a new echo,until old Bull Hill seemed tbellow back the storm.
5.For a time the scudding rack6and mist and the sheeted rainalmost hid the landscape from the sight. There was a fearful gloom,1Remarked,noticed,observed.2Predecessor,the one going immediately before. 3 Clamorously,with a loud noise.4Bellying,swelling out.5Defile,a long,narrow pass.6Rack,thin,flying,broken clouds.
illumined still more fearfully by the streams of lightning which glittered among the raindrops. Never had Dolph beheld such an absolute warring of the elements1;it seemed as if the storm was tearing and rending its way through the mountain defile,and had brought all the artillery of heaven intaction.1Elements,a term usually including fire,water,earth,and air.