that still lingers in our blood. Interest apart, past differences
forgotten, we extend the hand of old relationship. We merely ask, do
not estrange us from you, do not destroy the ancient tie of blood, do
not let scoffers and slanderers drive a kindred nation from your side.
We would fain be friends, do not compel us to be enemies." There is a
manly affection in these sentiments which is truly admirable.

Mr. Irving's works, with the exception of his early efforts,[3] had
been the result of his love of travel: indeed, he describes himself
as a traveller who has "surveyed most of the terrestrial angles of the
globe." In similar vein, he next produced two volumes of "Tales of a
Traveller," narrating legends of the continent, with masterly sketches
of the scenery of the respective countries; the incidents of the Tales
being fraught with points of grotesque humour, and abounding with
pathos and poetic feeling.

[Footnote 3: Among Mr. Irving's early effusions are Lines written on
the Falls of the River Pasaic which are not printed in the author's
works, but will be found in _The Mirror_, vol. ii. p. 452.]

To these Tales succeeded a work of greater importance in literature
than either of Mr. Irving's previous undertakings. We allude to a
History of the Life and Voyages of Columbus, in four vols. 8vo., which
appeared in the year 1828. Mr. Irving, at the time this work was first
suggested to him, in the winter of 1825-6, was at Bordeaux; and, being
informed that a biography was about to appear at Madrid, containing
many important and some new documents relative to Columbus, he set off
for the Spanish capital, to undertake the translation of the work.
Mr. Irving, however, meeting with numerous aids at Madrid, resolved
on producing an original history, which he has presented to the public