Dickens On Irving

When I was in Madrid, Mr. Washington Irviug, wbom I had kuown since I was a boy, representad our goverument at the Spamsh cuurt. I hadjust cuuio up trom Aiidalusia, and had spent more than a week ia ürrauada, devoting a greater part of the time to the Alhauibra, winuti was ttien beiug restored. I was surprised to learn froui Mr. Irving thac sinoe he arrived ia típain in a diplomatic capucity he had uever once revisited the subject of one of lus earliest and greatest Uteiary inuuiphs. However, he seeuied to take great interest m uiy account of the condition of the old Moorish palttce, and of wiiat had become of those who lived there wlii'ii he wrote about it. His health was nut very good, and he suü'ored trom that overpowering propensity to sleep so coiumon to overtaxed uraius. I uever saw Mr. Irving botray my excitement but once iu iny lite, anü that was upuu au occasion wüeii I dined with hiui in Mjdnd. The name of Dickens happened to be introduced, aud he became very heated in telling me about his relations with that author. Finally he couid no longer contain himself, and, jumping trom his seat, he walked up and down the fluor in great apparent agitation. He told me that he had corresponded with Dickens long before they ever met. Tliat both from his writinirs and bis letters he had formed the highest conception of his personal charaoter. That under these circumstauces Dickens arrived iu New York, and he, Irving, called upon hini at his hotel. That immediately after sending in his oard, he was íavited to Mr. Dickens' parlor ; and, as he entered the room, that gentleman niet hlm, napkin in hand. He had been dining, and the table was covered with a vulgar profusión of food, ind the tablecloth was stained with gravy and wine. Wringing his hand, Dickens' first salutation was, ' Irving, I am aelighted to see you I What will you drink, a mint julep or a gin cocktail 't' 'The idea oi inviting me to drink juleps and cocktails !' naively exclaiwed Mr Irving. He found Dickens outrageously vulgar - in dress, manners, and mind. And none of us young people were more incensed against him tor his American Nott and Martin Chuwilswit than tu