spacious Alhambra itself, and the governor gave the author and his
companion, permission to occupy his vacant apartments in the Moorish
palace: Mr. Wilkie soon returned to England, leaving Mr. Irving at
the Alhambra, where he remained "for several months, spell-bound in
the old enchanted pile." The result was two volumes of legends and
traditions, which for interesting incident, and gracefulness of
narrative, have few parallels in our romance-writing.[5] They are
dedicated, in good taste, to the ingenious originator, Mr. Wilkie.

[Footnote 5: For Two Illustrations and Notice of this interesting
work, See _Mirror_, vol. xix. p. 337 to 342; whence the above origin
of the work has been quoted.]

In person, Mr. Irving is of middle height; and, according to a
contemporary, of "modest deportment and easy attitude, with all the
grace and dignity of an English gentleman."[6] Another describes
him as "a most amiable man, and great genius, but not lively in
conversation." His features have a pleasing regularity, and are lit
up, at every corner, with that delightful humour which flows in a rich
vein throughout his writings, and forms their most attractive charm.

[Footnote 6: Fraser's Magazine.]

Having noticed Mr. Irving's principal works, we have left but little
occasion to speak of his general style. A contemporary has denominated
him the "Goldsmith of the age;" and of Goldsmith we must remember
that, in his epitaph, Dr. Johnson observes: "he left no species of
writing untouched, and adorned all to which he applied himself"--a
tribute which can scarcely be appropriately paid to any writer of
our time. However, we know not any author that Mr. Irving so much