Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Roundabout Papersnew: to point out our faults, arrogance, short-comings,and give the republic to infer how much she was theparent state’s superior. There are writers enough in theUnited States, honest and otherwise, who preach thatkind of doctrine. But the good Irving, the peaceful, thefriendly, had no place for bitterness in his heart, andno scheme but kindness. Received in England with extraordinarytenderness and friendship (Scott, Southey,Byron, a hundred others have borne witness to theirliking for him), he was a messenger of good-will andpeace between his country and ours. “See, friends!” heseems to say, “these English are not so wicked, rapacious,callous, proud, as you have been taught to believethem. I went amongst them a humble man; wonmy way by my pen; and, when known, found every handheld out to me with kindliness and welcome. Scott is agreat man, you acknowledge. Did not Scott’s King ofEngland give a gold medal to him, and another to me,your countryman, and a stranger?”Tradition in the United States still fondly retains thehistory of the feasts and rejoicings which awaited Irvingon his return to his native country from Europe. Hehad a national welcome; he stammered in his speeches,hid himself in confusion, and the people loved him allthe better. He had worthily represented America in Europe.In that young community a man who brings homewith him abundant European testimonials is still treatedwith respect (I have found American writers, of wideworldreputation, strangely solicitous about the opinionsof quite obscure British critics, and elated or depressedby their judgments); and Irving went homemedalled by the King, diplomatized by the University,crowned and honored and admired. He had not in anyway intrigued for his honors, he had fairly won them;and, in Irving’s instance, as in others, the old countrywas glad and eager to pay them.In America the love and regard for Irving was a nationalsentiment. Party wars are perpetually raging there,and are carried on by the press with a rancor and fiercenessagainst individuals which exceed British, almostIrish, virulence. It seemed to me, during a year’s travelin the country, as if no one ever aimed a blow at Irving.194