rities, "something in the Haroun Alraschid style" that should
have a dash of that Arabian spice which pervades everything in Spain.
Mr. Irving set about his task with enthusiasm: his study was the
spacious Alhambra itself, and the governor gave the author and his
companion, permission to occupy his vacant apartments in the Moorish
palace: Mr. Wilkie soon returned to England, leaving Mr. Irving at
the Alhambra, where he remained "for several months, spell-bound in
the old enchanted pile." The result was two volumes of legends and
traditions, which for interesting incident, and gracefulness of
narrative, have few parallels in our romance-writing.[5] They are
dedicated, in good taste, to the ingenious originator, Mr. Wilkie.

[Footnote 5: For Two Illustrations and Notice of this interesting
work, See _Mirror_, vol. xix. p. 337 to 342; whence the above origin
of the work has been quoted.]

In person, Mr. Irving is of middle height; and, according to a
contemporary, of "modest deportment and easy attitude, with all the
grace and dignity of an English gentleman."[6] Another describes
him as "a most amiable man, and great genius, but not lively in
conversation." His features have a pleasing regularity, and are lit
up, at every corner, with that delightful humour which flows in a rich
vein throughout his writings, and forms their most attractive charm.

[Footnote 6: Fraser's Magazine.]

Having noticed Mr. Irving's principal works, we have left but little
occasion to speak of his general style. A contemporary has denominated
him the "Goldsmith of the age;" and of Goldsmith we must remember
that, in his epitaph, Dr. Johnson observes: "he left no species of
writing untouched, and adorned all to which he applied himself"--a
tribute which can scarcely be appropriately paid to any writer of
our time. However, we know not any author that Mr. Irving so much
resembles as Goldsmith: although no imitator, his style and language
forcibly remind us of that easy flow so peculiar to the Citizen of
the World. But, we have higher warrant for this parallel. "It seems
probable," observes a critical writer of considerable acumen, "that
Mr. Irving might prove no contemptible rival to Goldsmith, whose turn
of mind he very much inherits, and of whose style he particularly
reminds us. Like him, too, Mr. Irving possesses the art of setting
ludicrous perplexities in the most irresistible point of view, and we
think equals him in the variety of humou