I saw Mr. Irving afterward repeatedly in New York, and passed two delightful days at Sunnyside. I can never forget a drive with him upon a crisp autumn morning through Sleepy Hollow, and all the notable localities of his neighborhood, in the course of which he kindly called my attention, in the most unaffected and incidental way, to those which had been specially illustrated by his pen; and with a rare humor recounted to me some of his boyish adventures among the old Dutch farmers of this region. Most of all, it is impossible for me to forget the rare kindliness of his manner, his friendly suggestions, and the beaming expression of his eye. I met it last at the little stile from which I strolled away to the station at Dearman; and when I saw the kind face again, it was in the coffin, at the little church where he attended service. But the eyes were closed, and the wonderful radiance of expression gone. It seemed to me that death never took away more from a living face; it was but a cold shadow lying there, of the man who had taught a nation to love him. Edgewood, _Sept._ 1863. CONTENTS. _INTRODUCTORY._ page I. With my Aunt Tabithy 1 II. With my Reader 9 _DREAMS OF BOYHOOD._ Spring 21 I. Rain in the Garret 26 II. School-Dreams 33 III. Boy Sentiment 43 IV. A Friend made and Friend lost 49 V. Boy Religion 60 VI. A New-England Squire 67 VII. The Country Church 78 VIII. A Home Scene 86 _DREAMS OF YOUTH._ Summer 97 I. Cloister Life 104 II. First Ambition 115 III. College Romance 120 IV. First Look at the World 132 V. A Broken Home 142 VI. Family Confidence 151 VII. A Good Wife 159 VIII. A Broken Hope 167 _DREAMS OF MANHOOD._ Autumn 179 I. Pride of Manliness 184 II. Man of the World 191 III. Manly Hope 198 IV. Manly Love 207 V. Cheer and Children 213 VI. A Dream of Darkness 221 VII. Peace 229 _DREAMS OF AGE._ Winter 239 I. What is Gone 243 II. What is Left 249