Men love to honor their favorites.  Washington Irving has caused his name to be stamped upon the affections of the people of this city.  Irving collars, Irving hats, Irving signs and Irving attached to many things give evidence of the high regard in which he is held.  We will pass his home on the Hudson to-day.

TUESDAY, May 18.  Take the steamer “Henry Clay” to Albany, where we land at 3 P.M.  Kossuth is in the place.  A great procession, with many other demonstrations in honor of the Hungarian exile, is given.  These things are not done for the man personally, but for the cause which he represents, that of freeing his country from the galling yoke of bondage.  We have a delightful boat ride up the Hudson.

I must here relate a short encounter which I had with a professed infidel on the boat.  He some way came to the conclusion that I was a religious man, and probably a preacher.  This led him to approach me for a talk, and he introduced himself in a very courteous and agreeable manner.  After he had stated his objections to the Christian religion, I asked him if he was absolutely certain that there is no place and state of future punishment.  He answered:  “I do not contend for this; but only hold that hell is unreasonable, and that heaven is impossible:  and according to Bible description, to me at least, it would be undesirable.”  I answered:  “I suppose you will allow, that if the Bible is not true I will fare no worse after death for having taught its doctrines and the faith of Jesus Christ:  and you no better for having denied both?” “All this,” said he, “is self-evident.”  “But if it so turns out that we both, after death, find that God’s Word is absolutely true, which, my dear friend, will fare the better then?  You, for having rejected the Lord Jesus Christ before men; or I, for having humbly confessed him?” We parted at the landing to meet, perhaps, no more until that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be made known.

WEDNESDAY, May 19.  Get to Buffalo, New York, at 8 P.M.  Stay all night at the Mansion House.  Philip Dorsheimer, proprietor.

THURSDAY, May 20.  This day I enjoy my first sight of Niagara Falls.  Cross on the bridge over to the Canada side and go up to the falls.  Return by the bridge and go up to the falls on the American side.  Go to see the buffaloes; and visit the telegraph office.  Return to the Mansion House and stay there all night.  I suppose that all the thoughts and emotions which a view of Niagara Falls is capable of exciting in the beholder have been so clearly and graphically expressed in prose and verse, so far as lies in the power of words to express them, that I feel like keeping silent.  This, however, I will venture to say, that in the sight of such mighty power I felt very small and weak.  How, then, thought I, will I feel when I come in sight of the Power that made and moves the world!

Cold and snow this morning.  But I must remember that I am not in Virginia.