difficulty of breathing, which continued for an hour and a half. Went to the city to see Dr. Peters, who called in Dr. Hosack to hold a consultation. Dr. P. sought to encourage him with an account of Mr. who had been a sufferer with asthma for forty years, and whom they thought near his end, of late, and, when he and his family were prepared for it, he suddenly rallied, and was getting as well as he had been before. His only comment was: “Ah, Doctor, why didn't you let him go? Why call him back to such suffering?

Mr. Cogswell related to me the following anecdote: Mr. Irving called at his room in the Astor Library, not many months since, and, finding him sick abed, and alarmingly ill, hurried off for his physician, Dr. Barker. One of his jokes, after Cogswell got well, was, that in going for the doctor, he thought he would just stop at the undertaker's on his way, and order a coffin; and now he had the coffin on his hands.

On his return from the city, he retired, at bed-time, to his room alone, as he had done for some nights past. The doors were open, and perceiving, in the night, that he was restless, I went in. The next morning, at breakfast, he remarked that he felt my coming in quite as a reprieve. After dinner, said to me: "I shall have to get you to mount guard again to-night. I am ashamed to ask it, but you cannot conceive what an abject coward this nervousness makes of me." I assured him of my readiness to resume my post.

June 2d.-Looked better, and had a comfortable day. Drove out with Mrs. J. On his return, at twelve o'clock, found here his old friend, Gouverneur Kemble, who had come to see him, and urge him to make him a visit. Kemble greeted him very cordially. "Why, you are looking" "Very badly," interposed Mr. Irving. "But better than I expected to see you." Kemble stayed to dinner. Mr. Irving, at parting with him, accompanied him to the door, and bade him "good-by" with a "God bless you!"

When he returned to the parlor, his eyes were filled with tears, and he burst forth with a gush of feeling. "That is my friend of early life—always unchanged, always like a brother; one of the noblest beings that ever was created. His heart is pure gold." He was deeply affected. He had been, as he generally was in the society of those he liked, except when in immediate suffering, very cheerful during the dinner, and, excited and gratified by the visit, Mr. Kemble could form no idea of his situation. This proved to be their last meeting.

The next day he was very nervous, and sadly discouraged. Said he had nearly given up all hope of recovery or improvement, and only trusted that he would not be left a burden long. After dinner, drove out with H- This depression continued through the whole drive. "I've always dreaded," he remarked, "beyond anything, becoming a confirmed invalid, and a burden to those about me." "But you will never be that," was the

reply. "What do you call this? I see no relief to it. This cough prevents my sleeping, and, with such nights, how can I be better? And poor too-what a tax on

him!" "He does not consider it so." "Well," he rejoined, "I trust he may not have the burden long."

About this time, Mr. Irving received a letter from Henry T. Tuckerman, who had been looking forward with special interest to the concluding volume of his "Life of Washington," showing how agreeably it struck him, by the following notice, which he inclosed :—

The appearance of the concluding volume of Irving's "Life of Washington" has been looked for with unusual interest. Varying, as its subject matter does, from what went before-shifting from military to political interest-it was thought, by those cognizant of biographical art, that it would prove difficult for the author to narrate Washington's administration with the same simple directness which lent such emphasis to the story of the war. But Mr. Irving has equally succeeded here, Without swerving from his original plan, he has faithfully told the facts, avoided, with consummate skill, the discussion of mooted questions, kept strictly to his sphere of biography-giving exactly enough about the French Revolution, alliance, and difficulties, Jay's treaty and its consequences, Jefferson's intrigues, Genet's impertinence, the state of parties, and the course of opinion, as was absolutely necessary to explain Washington's position, difficulties, and conduct--and nothing more. And he keeps the hero himself constantly in view-treats of events as they affect him, and not general history; in a word, as throughout the work, he makes us partake of the consciousness of Washington more than the sentiment of party or the theories of politicians. It is as the squabbles of his Cabinet, the sarcasms of the press, the events in Europe, influence his peace, purposes, and feelings, that we know them; and, by thus render

ing domestic and foreign affairs subordinate to the delincation of his great subject, the harmony, unity, and clear significance of the biography are admirably preserved.

By the Preface, we learn that, more than thirty years ago, the "Life of Washington" was suggested to Mr. Irving by a famous Edinburgh publisher. Its execution was postponed, but the period which sees the work complete could not be more favorable for its useful influence and its successful achievement.

It is a graceful and noble consummation of a literary career of half a century-a high service both to our national literature and our civic wants the greatest of which is to keep fresh to eye, mind, and heart the matchless example herein unfolded in a spirit and with a candor parallel with its own purity and truth.

To the letter with the above inclosure, Mr. Irving made the following reply:

[To Mr. H. T. Tuckerman.]

MY DEAR MR. TUCKERMAN :—

SUNNYSIDE, June 8, 1859.

I have suffered a long time to elapse without acknowledging the receipt of your letter inclosing a printed notice of my fifth volume, which you had furnished to the press. My only excuse is, that, since I have got out of regular harness, I find it exceedingly difficult to bring myself to the slightest exercise of the pen.

I cannot sufficiently express to you, my dear Mr. Tuckerman, how deeply I have felt obliged by the kind interest you have manifested on various occasions, and in a variety of ways, in me and my literary concerns. It is truly gratifying to be able to inspire such interest in the mind of a person of your stamp and intellectual character.

Your remarks on my last volume were especially inspiriting. Unnerved, as I was, by a tedious indisposition, I had come to regard this

volume with a dubious and almost desponding eye. Having nothing of the drum and trumpet which gave bustle and animation to the earlier volumes, I feared it might be considered a falling off. Your letter has contributed to put me in heart, and I accept with gratitude your congratulations on what you pronounce a "happy termination" of my undertaking.

Ever, my dear Mr. Tuckerman, with great regard, your truly obliged friend,

WASHINGTON IRVING.