After the war he paid a visit to the British Islands, and inteiuled to make a tour of the Continent, but business reverses involving the ruin of his firm compelled him to abandon his purpose. Irving now turned to literature for support, and through the friendly aid of Sir Walter Scott, secured the publication of the " Sketch Book " by Murray, the great English publisher, who bought the co|)yright for two hundred pounds, which he subsequently increased to four hundred pounds.

In 1820 Irving took up his residence in Paris, where he formed the acquaintance of Tom Moore. While in

- Address of James Wood, Tarrytown celebration, 1883.

LITERATURE AND LITERARY MEN.

(Ill

Paris he wrote " Bracebridge Hall." The winter of 1822 wiis spent in Dresden. Returning to Paris in 1S23 he published, in December of the following year, his " Talcs of a Traveller,'' for which he received from ilurray the sum of £1500. In 1826, after spending a winter in the south of France, he went to Madrid, where he wrote his "Life of Columbus," the English edition of which brought him 3000 guineas. His "Conquest of Granada" and " Alhambra" followed. In July, 182!t, having been appointed Secretary of Legation, at London, he left Spain for England. In 1S;-!1 he received, from the University of Oxford the degree of LL.D. After an absence of seventeen yeai*s he returned to America, in May, 1832. His arrival was commemorated by a public dinner in New York City, at which Chancellor Kent presided. A few months later he made a journey west of the Mississippi, which he described in his " Tour of the Prairies." In 183(3 he published "Astoria "and subsequently the "Adventures of Captain Bonnevill." From 1839 for two years he contributed a series of papers to the Kiiickcrbocher MiKjaziiie.