ith one exception, outlive the whole family. It was at this time
that he first went abroad; and his experiences of travel are given by
Pierre Irving in the sparkling letters which he wrote to his brothers.

In 1807 I used to meet him once more in social gatherings in the city,
for he had returned in full restoration of health, his mind expanded,
and his manners improved by intercourse with the European world, while
_Salmagundi_ had electrified the city and given him the first rank among
its satirists. The question of profession crowded on him, and he
alternated between the law and the counting-room, in either of which he
might find one or more of his brothers. The former of these was a road
to distinction, the latter was one to wealth; but feeling the absence of
practical business gifts, he shrank from trade, and took refuge in the
quiet readings of an office. Josiah Ogden Hoffman, of whose daughter so
much has recently been written, was a family friend, as well as a lawyer
of high character. He lived first at Number 68 Greenwich street, but
afterward moved up-town, his office being in Wall street, first Number
47, and afterward Number 16. Young Irving finished his studies with Mr.
Hoffman, and immediately took office with his brother John, at Number 3
Wall street. To these two was soon added the presence of Peter, who was
still connected with the press, and thus might have been found for a
short time a most interesting and talented, as well as fraternal trio.

Washington was still, to a considerable degree an _habitue_ of Mr.
Hoffman's office, and it seems quite amusing that one who was so dull at
reading law that he makes merry with his own deficiencies, should have a
connection with two offices. But the name of Matilda was the magnet
which drew him to one where he vainly struggled to climb Alp on Alp of
difficulties in hope of love's fruition, while at the other he might
smile at the bewilderments of Coke, brush away the cobwebs from his
brain, and recreate himself with the rich humors of _Salmagundi_.

The place and time where this remarkable attachment had its inception,
are not known; but like all such affairs, it arose, no doubt, from
felicitous accident. In one of his sketches, Irving speaks of a
mysterious footprint seen on the sward of the Battery, which awoke a
romantic interest in his breast. This youthful incident comes to our
mind when we remember that Mr. Hoffman lived at Number 68 Greenwich
street, not