rving's intention, when he went to Madrid, merely to make a
translation of some historical documents which were then appearing,
edited by M. Navarrete, from the papers of Bishop Las Casas and the
journals of Columbus, entitled "The Voyages of Columbus." But when he
found that this publication, although it contained many documents,
hitherto unknown, that threw much light on the discovery of the New
World, was rather a rich mass of materials for a history than a history
itself, and that he had access in Madrid libraries to great collections
of Spanish colonial history, he changed his plan, and determined to
write a Life of Columbus. His studies for this led him deep into the old
chronicles and legends of Spain, and out of these, with his own travel
and observation, came those books of mingled fables, sentiment, fact,
and humor which are after all the most enduring fruits of his residence
in Spain.

Notwithstanding his absorption in literary pursuits, Irving was not
denied the charm of domestic society, which was all his life his chief
delight. The house he most frequented in Madrid was that of Mr.
D'Oubril, the Russian Minister. In his charming household were Madame
D'Oubril and her niece, Mademoiselle Antoinette Bollviller, and Prince
Dolgorouki, a young _attache_ of the legation. His letters to Prince
Dolgorouki and to Mademoiselle Antoinette give a most lively and
entertaining picture of his residence and travels in Spain. In one of
them to the prince, who was temporarily absent from the city, we have
glimpses of the happy hours, the happiest of all hours, passed in this
refined family circle. Here is one that exhibits the still fresh
romance in the heart of forty-four years:--

"Last evening, at your house, we had one of the most lovely
tableaux I ever beheld. It was the conception of Murillo,
represented by Madame A----. Mademoiselle Antoinette arranged the
tableau with her usual good taste, and the effect was enchanting.
It was more like a vision of something spiritual and celestial than
a representation of anything merely mortal; or rather it was woman
as in my romantic days I have been apt to imagine her, approaching
to the angelic nature. I have frequently admired Madame A----as a
mere beautiful woman, when I have seen her dressed up in the
fantastic attire of the _mode_; but here I beheld her elevated into
a representative of the divine purity and grace, ex