himself with a circle of enthusiastic admirers.  Indeed, such was his skill in politics, that in 1800 he upset the Federalists, after a pitched battle of three days, (the old duration of an election,) which was one of the most exciting scenes I ever witnessed.  Horatio Gates, of Saratoga fame, was one of his nominees for the State Legislature, (Gates was then enjoying those undeserved laurels which posterity has since taken away,) and it was surprising to see the veterans of the Revolution abandoning their party to vote for their old comrade and leader.  The result was, that the Federalists were most thoroughly worsted, and the party never recovered from the blow.  Such were the exciting events which identified the young politicians of the metropolis, and which inspired their speeches and their press.  Burr’s headquarters were at Martling’s Tavern, 87 Nassau street.  On being torn down, the business was removed to Tammany Hall, which has inherited a political character from its predecessor.  Besides this, he used to meet his friends in more select numbers at a Coffee-house in Maiden Lane.  His office was Number 30 Partition street, (now Fulton,) and his residence was at Richmond Hill.  This place has lately been pulled down; it stood far away from the city, in a wild, secluded neighborhood, and in bad going was quite an out of the way spot, though now it would be in the densest part of the city.  As there were no public vehicles plying in this direction, except the Chelsea (Twenty-eighth street) stage, which was very unreliable, one either had to hire a coach or else be subjected to a walk of two miles.  But such as had the entree of this establishment would be well rewarded, even for these difficulties, by an interview with Theodosia Burr, the most charming creature of her day.  She was married early, and we saw but little of her.  From the interest which the Irvings felt in Burr’s fortunes, it might have been expected that they should sympathize with him in his subsequent reverses.

The biographer presents Washington Irving as an attendant at the famous trial at Richmond, where his indignation at some of Burr’s privations are expressed in a most interesting letter.  This sympathy is the more touching from the fact that Washington was a Federalist, and in this respect differed from his brothers.  We have an idea that his youthful politics were in no small degree influenced by those of that illustrious personage for whom he was named.  Another of the sons was John T., who became a successful and wealthy jurist, and for many years presided at New-York Common Pleas, while Ebenezer was established in trade at an early day.  Such was the development of that family, which in rosy childhood followed William Irving to the old Brick Church, and whose early progress he was permitted to witness.  The biographer passes lightly over the scenes of boyhood, and there was hardly any need for his expatiating on that idolatry which surrounded the youngest.  He was no doubt the