Washington Irving Writes To His Nephew, Approving Of His Engagement To Helen Schermerhorn: “I Exclaimed To Your Aunt Paris And Sarah ‘Oh How Delightful I Should Be If He Were To Take A Fancy To Helen!’…You Are About To Confer A Kindness On Me In Giving Me Helen For A Niece, For Which I Shall Be Thankful To You As Long As I Live”

WASHINGTON IRVING (1783-1859). American author best known for his stories “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” He was one of the first American writers to achieve fame abroad and also served as Minister to Spain from 1842 to 1845. ALS. 4pg. 5” x 8”. Greenburg [New York]. April 2, 1837. An autograph letter signed “Washington Irving” to his nephew, John Treat Irving, Jr. “Treat” has recently been engaged to Helen Schermerhorn, and his uncle wrote to congratulate him: “…the tidings it contained I had already heard. I shall begin to believe in presentimetns, for some weeks since, on hearing of your extreme intimacy with the Schermerhorns. I exclaimed to your Aunt Paris and Sarah ‘Oh how delightful I should be if he were to take a fancy to Helen!’ I don’t know what put the idea into my head, but it struck me as if it would probably happen and to the next news I have of you, you are actually engaged! I cannot express the heartfelt gratification it gives me. She was a…partner with me; almost rivaling her sister Annie, and was every day growing more and more on my regard as her character developed itself. I delighted in her bright joyous look, and shall never forget the warmth of heart she showed when about to leave her friends and home; clinging to them…instead of anticipating the wonder and gaieties among which she was to mingle. I have represented to your father and mother what a prize you have got and they each seem highly gratified. The Judge only hopes you will not hurry into matrimony until he gets easier in money matters, having reduced himself to great extremity by building two large stores. However, as they are about to bring him in great costs, I trust they will create a spring tide…I would advise you to cut in before he is seized with another architectural paralysis, for her has two or three vacant lots calling loudly for houses, and two or three houses calling loudly to be turned into stores…I have been wintering in my cottage on the banks of the Hudson, and have passed by time most happily…[brother] Peter has been quartered with me and I have occasionally had some of the girls to enliven the house. Tell my friends Schermerhorn I hope to have him here toe to toe with me, discussing old times and recounting his adventures and all the marvels he has seen; and I anticipate the times when I shall have the bright face of Helen beaming…I hope Mrs. Schermerhorn has found traveling of service in relieving her from those dismal headaches which used to…her…Farewell my dear Treat, you are about to confer a kindness on me in giving me Helen for a niece, for which I shall be thankful to you as long as I live. Your affectionate uncle Washington Irving”. Helen was the sister of the famous “Mrs. Astor.” The letter has dark ink and light chipping to the top and bottom margins. A fine and warm family letter. (Inventory #: 5176)