Returning to America, he built a beautiful home at "Sunnyside" (rightly named for one who always looked on the sunny side of life), where he resided continuously during the remaining twenty-seven years of his life, with the exception of four years spent as minister of the United States at the Court of Spain. These latter years were full of labor, the most notable results being his lives of Goldsmith and Washington. His writings are distinguished by an easy grace, a flowing rhythm, a light play of fancy and humor, a delicate and tender sentiment sometimes suffused with a gentle melancholy, smooth and unaffected narrative, picturesque description, and graphic delineation of character. Thackeray describes him as being in his family "gentle, generous, good-humored, and self-denying;" and in society "a delightful example of complete gentlemanliness." THE MAN 1. What peculiarity of birth distinguishes Irving from all other ante bellum writers? 2. What was his education; his social position? 3. Note points of resemblance between his life and that of Bryant. 4. In what countries was a considerable portion of his life spent? 5. Where did he spend his days after his return from Europe? 6. What public service did Irving render his country? 7. Summarize his character. 8. In view of the many years he voluntarily spent abroad, would you consider him a patriotic man? STYLE AND WORKS 1. What work established his reputation? 2. What writing did he do abroad? 3. What are his principal serious works? 4. State the prevailing characteristics of his style. 5. Contrast Irving's humor with that of Dickens. 6. Is his humor "American"? Why? 7. Compare his style with Hawthorne's. Which do you prefer? Why? FROM "KNICKERBOCKER'S NEW YORK" 1. In proportion to its population, how would the record of crime to-day in New York compare with that in the administration of Governor Van Twiller? 2. Give reasons for this difference. 3. What was the Dutch ideal of family life? 4. Judging from this account, was the social distinction between the different classes as great as it is to-day? 5. What was the style of dress worn by the ladies of those days? 6. Discuss its merits or inconveniences as compared with the style of dress to-day. 7. To what extent would you consider this history authoritative? 8. Wherein lies the charm of Irving's power as a writer? 9. Compare the tone of this selection with that of "Rip Van Winkle." FOR REFERENCE "Washington Irving."--BOYTON. "Four Famous American Writers."--CODY. "Irving" ("American Men of Letters").--WARNER. "Literary Likings."--BURTON. "Literary and Social Essays."--CURTIS. "Backgrounds of Literature."--MABIE. EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849)