This is only one of scores of droll stories to be found in this most interesting “history.”

CHAPTER VIII

FIVE UNEVENTFUL YEARS

It seems strange that the success of the “History of New York” did not make Irving a professional man of letters at once.  The profits on the first edition were three thousand dollars, and several other editions were to follow steadily.  But though he wished to be a literary man, and now knew that he might make a fair living by his writings, there was still lacking the force to compel him to work.  He had always lived in easy circumstances, doing as he liked, enjoying society, and amusing himself, and it was hard for him to devote his attention strictly to any set task.

He applied for a clerkship at Albany, but failed to get it.  Then his brothers, with whom he must have been a great favorite, as he was the youngest of the family, arranged a mercantile business in which he was to be a partner.  Peter was to buy goods in England and ship them to New York, while Ebenezer was to sell them.  Washington was to be a silent partner, and enjoy one fifth of the profits.  At first he objected to taking no active part in the business; but his brothers persuaded him that this was his chance to become independent and have his entire time for literary work.

But five years passed away and little was accomplished.  This covered the period of the War of 1812.  At first Irving was opposed to the war; but when he heard the news of the burning of Washington his patriotism blazed forth.  “He was descending the Hudson in the steamboat when the tidings first reached him,” says his nephew in the biography which he wrote.  “It was night and the passengers had betaken themselves to their settees to rest, when a person came on board at Poughkeepsie with the news of the inglorious triumph, and proceeded in the darkness of the cabin to relate the particulars:  the destruction of the president’s house, the treasury, war, and navy offices, the capitol, the depository of the national library and the public records.  There was a momentary pause after the speaker had ceased, when some paltry spirit lifted his head from his settee, and in a tone of complacent derision, ‘wondered what Jimmy Madison would say now.’  ‘Sir,’ said Mr. Irving, glad of an escape to his swelling indignation, ’do you seize on such a disaster only for a sneer?  Let me tell you, sir, it is not now a question about Jimmy Madison or Jimmy Armstrong.[+] The pride and honor of the nation are wounded; the country is insulted and disgraced by this barbarous success, and every loyal citizen should feel the ignominy and be earnest to avenge it.’  ’I could not see the fellow,’ said Mr. Irving when he related the anecdote, ’but I let fly at him in the dark.’”

[Footnote +:  The Secretary of War.]

As soon as he reached New York, Irving went to the governor and offered his services.  He was immediately appointed military secretary and aide with the rank of colonel.  His duties were neither difficult nor dangerous, and he enjoyed his position; but he was glad when the war came to an end the following year.