To refer, however briefly, to Mr. Irving’s politics or religion, even if I had intimate knowledge of both, (which assuredly I had not,) would be, perhaps, to overstep decorous limits.  It may, however, properly be mentioned, that, in the face of all inherent probabilities as to his comfortable conservatism, and his earnest instincts in favor of fraternal conciliation and justice, (which was as marked a quality in him as in the great man whom be so faithfully portrayed,) in spite of all the considerations urged by timid gentlemen of the old school in favor of Fillmore and the status quo, he voted in 1856, as he told me, for Fremont.  In speaking of the candidates then in the field, he said of Fremont, that his comparative youth and inexperience in party-politics were points in his favor; for he thought the condition of the country called for a man of nerve and energy, one in his prime, and unfettered by party-traditions and bargains for “the spoils.”  His characterization of a more experienced functionary, who had once served in the State Department, was more severe than I ever heard from him of any other person; and severity from a man of his judicious and kindly impulses had a meaning in it.

Favored once with a quiet Sunday at “the Cottage,” of course there was a seat for us all in the family-pew at Christ Church in the village (Tarrytown).  Mr. Irving’s official station as Church-Warden was indicated by the ex-ambassador’s meek and decorous presentation of the plate for the silver and copper offerings of the parishioners.  At subsequent successive meetings of the General (State) Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, (to which I had been delegated from a little parish on Staten Island,) the names of Washington Irving and Fenimore Cooper were both recorded,—­the latter representing Christ Church, Cooperstown.  Mr. Irving for several years served in this capacity, and as one of the Missionary Committee of the Convention, his name was naturally sought as honoring any organization.  He was the last person to be demonstrative or conspicuous either as to his faith or his works; but no disciple of Christ, perhaps, felt more devoutly than he did the reverential aspiration of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.”

Passing a print-window in Broadway one day, his eye rested on the beautiful engraving of “Christus Consolator.”  He stopped and looked at it intently for some minutes, evidently much affected by the genuine inspiration of the artist in this remarkable representation of the Saviour as the consoler of sorrow-stricken humanity.  His tears fell freely.  “Pray, get me that print,” said he; “I must have it framed for my sitting-room.”  When he examined it more closely and found the artist’s name, “It’s by my old friend Ary Scheffer!” said he,—­remarking further, that he had known Scheffer intimately, and knew him to be a true artist, but had not expected from him anything so excellent