CHAPTER XXVI. LAST DAYS.-A FORMIDABLE VISIT THREATENED.-A STRANGE VISITOR.-LONG- RECUR to my notes taken at the time for a June 13th.-A lowering day, but Mr. Irving again improving. His days, of late, have presented quite a contrast to that wretched 3d of June, and he has apparently been gaining ever since. Received a note from General V. P. Van Antwerp, of Iowa, and Colonel John T. Heard, of Massachusetts, two of the Board of Visitors, consisting of sixteen, now in session at the United States Military Academy, at West Point, inclosing a highly complimentary resolution to himself, and proposing, if agreeable, to call on him in a body the next day, when they should adjourn, to tender to him, in their collective capacity, "the homage due to one whose long life had been distinguished by sterling 1 virtues, and who wore with becoming gracefulness the laurels which labors successfully devoted to literature had placed upon his brow." Such a mark of consideration, from a body consisting of members from the different States of the Union, could not but be deeply gratifying, yet he was all in a flutter about it. “I must stop this at once!" he exclaimed, and immediately went to the library and wrote a letter to General Van Antwerp, expressive of his very high sense of the intended compliment, but pleading his inability to cope with the visit, from long ill health and nervous ness. General Van Antwerp had intimated, in his note, that some of the Board had expressed fear that this "simple demonstration, not intended for publicity," might be an annoyance, and that if, for any reason, it should be either distasteful or inconvenient, a private note to him would suffice to explain the reason. Mr. Irving was quite relieved when he had written his note, and got our approval. All dreaded the threatened. visit, as likely to bring back or rather aggravate his ner vousness. June 19th.-Gentle and playful-something almost childlike in his manner. Asked whose the passage that was running in his head, "Fair laughs the morn," etc. I showed it to him in Gray's "Bard." Inquired, then, if I could recollect the author of two lines that had lingered -disconnectedly-in his memory for years: "She asked of each wave, as it reached the shore, I had never met them. Very cheerful at dinner. Walked round the brook lot in the afternoon. In the evening took his seat in the parlor, and opened a book to read. Had been some time at a loss for a pleasant book. "I'm reduced to my favorite author." What is it?" is asked. "The fifth volume of the 'Life of Washington.' I think I'll read it now. I have not looked at it since it was put to press." June 22d.-Mr. Irving wretchedly nervous. I went to town, to bring up Dr. Peters in the afternoon train. The doctor found him looking much better than he expected. As usual, he appeared better while the doctor was there, but more nervous again after he left. He had a wretched night. I remained with him till three o'clock, when I retired for an hour. On my return, I found him struggling with one of those strange hallucinations he could not easily dispel. Had started up from sleep with an impression of some poor family he had to take care of. The impression, or the effect of it, seemed to cling to him, though he knew it was a fallacy. He had his mind and consciousness perfectly, as he said, and yet he could not shake it off. The effect of it continued for an hour. Very singular. June 23d.-A necessary engagement taking four of the inmates to town, H— remarked to him, before breakH fast, that Swould remain and read to him, and lull him to a good long sleep. "Ah! my dear, I wish, indeed, it might be a long sleep!" June 28th. In the afternoon, a call from Miss AH—, Miss G—, of Boston, Mr. W―, of Boston, and Rossiter, the artist. Miss H-thought he looked very feeble, and was much changed. Afterward, F. S. Cozzens called, his wife, and a little daughter of four years of age, and remained until half past nine. Something was said by Cozzens about his sitting for a likeness to Mr. Thomas Hicks, the artist, to accompany a representation of the literary class in some contemplated grand painting, in which the various classes-commercial, scientific, etc.were to be represented. Mr. Irving replied, that he was dwindling away so fast, that he would soon make an excellent subject for a miniature for Mr. Hicks, if he took miniatures. Retired about eleven, and had one of his "perverse, wretched nights," as he styled them. From time to time would beg me to go to my room. Said that there was a forlorn comfort in having some one to groan to, but that I could not help him; that I could only lie down in the gutter with him (alluding to the story of the sot who said to a brother sot in the gutter, that he could not help him up, but would lie down beside him). A little playfulness and fun would thus blend, at times, with his extremest distress. Toward morning he expressed a hope that this suffering might soon end. "Had never wished to live beyond a cheerful existence. His life, if prolonged, might be of value to others, and hence it was desirable; but, for himself, he was willing to go. So singular and unaccountable that he should be distressed in this way; had nothing to worry him; nothing on his mind; no concern about his worldly means or literary reputation; had had honor enough in that respect," etc. June 29th. I was reading Mrs. Stowe's "Minister's Wooing," then coming out in numbers in the "Atlantic Monthly," and asked him his impression of Burr, whom she had introduced in her story. "Burr was full of petty mystery; he made a mystery of everything. When I called on him, at Baltimore, in the morning, on my way Five or to his trial, I must come again in the evening. six were in the room. He would take me in one corner, and say a word or two; another in another, and so on. I met him again at Fredericksburg, and rode with him in the stage to Richmond. I could not well make out why I was sent for. From some sounding of his, I suspected he wanted me to write for the press in his behalf, but I put a veto on that." June 30th. The doctor came up, and stayed over night. Left him a new prescription-a tonic-which had a favorable effect. July 7th.-Just before sitting down to breakfast, a stranger called at the door, wishing to see Mr. Irving. The servant informed him he was ill-but he had come |