IBVING. 801 ISAAC. Spanisli Papers and Other Miscellunies (18C6), edited by his nephew, P. .M. Irving. His Worku, in iwenty-seven volumes, apix-aied in New Vprk in 1884-86. Selections from them in English and in German, with illustrations Ijy Kitter and Camphausen, were pulilislied in L/eipzig in 1850. Irving is signilicant in the history of Ameri- can letters as the first American, after the in- dependence of the United States, to obtain real literary recognition in England. His success, both at home and abroad, he owed to the geniality of his nature, his social gifts, and his literary feeling, all of which enabled him to please an audience schooled in the manner of Addison, Johnson, and Goldsmith, and at the same time to cause no offense to the patriotic sensibilities of his countrymen. Much of his work deals directl3' with English life and customs, and is written in tlie manner of a kindly, well-bred Eng- lishman. The inlhience of Irving upon American letters was hence, in the main, good ; it enabled writers to make use of the best English tradition and helped to rid them of the piovincialism which had characterized their work up to his coming. He is perhaps best as an essayist, and he will be per- manent for his charm and refinement; yet it must not be forgotten that he was practical!}' the discoverer, for Americans at least, of the effect- iveness of the short story as a form of art. Xor is Irving's place in English literature unim- portant, for he was a link between Goldsmith and Dickens. Indeed, Irving seems rather like an English than like an American author; for, though there is a quaintness in his humor and freshness in his views, he is devoted to English traditions as to form. With Whitman, Bret Harte, and Mark Twain one encounters a more obviously American school. Bibliography. A fair amount of commentary on Irving exists. In addition to the biography by his nephew, there are Bryant's Discourse on the Life, Character, and flenitis of Washington Ir- ving (Xew York, 18C0) ; Longfellow's Address Before the Massachusetts Historical Society (Boston, 1870) ; Laun's Washington Irring: Ein Lebens- und Chnrakterbild (Berlin, 1870) ; a Life in the "American Men of Letters Series," by C. D. Warner (Boston. 1881) ; and critical dis- cussions of his work are to be found in the literary histories, such as Beers, Initial Studies in American Letters [Sew York, 1802) ; Richard- son, American Lilerature (ib.. 1887-88) ; Wen- dell, A Literary History of America (ib., 1900), and others. IRVING, WiLi,l.M (1766-1821). An Ameri- can author, brother of Washington Irving, born in Xew York City. He was engaged in fur-trad- ing with the Indians in the region of the Mohawk River from 17S7 to 1701. and in 170.3 established his business in New York City and married a sister of his brother's collaborator. James K. Paulding. He was a popular member of the literary coterie which flourished in Xew York early in the last century; and his many poems and contributions to Salmagundi mark him as among the best of early American humorists. From 1814 to 1819 he was a Democratic member of Congress. IR'VINGITES. See Cirnouc Apostolic Church. IR'VINGTON. A town in Essex County. N. J., adjoining Xewark. of which it is a resi- dential suburb (Map: Xew .Jersey, D 2). It has Drn^at Whitby. Ont.. and made her appearance u the stage at Buffalo earlv in 1870. Coming to smelting-works, and manufactures of novelties, wall-paper, etc. Settled as early as 1000, Irviug- ton was first incorporated in 1898. The govern- ment is administered by a town council, the mem- bers of which, with the exception of the council- man-at-large, are elected by wards. Population, in 1900, 5255. IRVINGTON. A village in Westchester County. X. Y., 23 miles north of Xew York City; on the Hudson River, and on the Xew York On- tral and Hudson River Railroad (Map: Xew York, G 4). It is a beautiful place of residence. Prominent among its features of interest are the handsome town hall with the Guiteau Li- brary, and 'Sunnvside,' the home of Washington Irving. Population, in 1890, 2229; in 1900, 2231. IRWIN, er'win, .JoHX ( 1832-1901 ) . An Ameri- can naval otiicer,born in Pennsylvania. Heentered the Xaval Aeadeni}' in 1847 and became passed midshipman in 1853. He served on the frigate Wabash in the Civil War, and took part in the battle of Port Royal, S. C. Irwin also partici- pated in the engagements at the forts at Hatteras Inlet and Forts Walker and Beauregard. At the capture of Fort Pulaski he received special men- tion in the report of the battle sent to the Xavy Department. During his career he was advanced through the various ranks of the service until, in 1891, he was made a rear-admiral. He retired April 15, 1894. IRWIN, ilAV (1862—). An American ac- tress, best known in 'farce-comcdv.' She was bor on 1 _ Xew York, she played for several years at Tony Pastor's Theatre ; then I)ecame a memlier of Daly's company, with which she remained until 1887. More recently as a star she has appeared in The Widow Jones; The Belle of Bridgeport ; Madge Smith, Attorney: Kate Kip. Buyer; and otlier light pieces. Consult: Strang, Famous Actresses of the Day in America (Boston. 1899) ; Hapgood. The Stage in America. lSOT-1900 ( Xew York. 1901). ISAAC, I'zak (Heb. Ti?hak. from sahqiy, to laugh). One of the three Hebrew patriarchs. The story of Isaac is given in Gen. xviii.xxxv. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah, born to them when Abraham was one hundred and Sarah ninety years old. The connection of the name with the root 'to laugh' is explained in three dif- ferent versions. When the birth of Isaac is foretold by the angels, Sarah is reported to have laughed (Gen. xviii. 12) ; another account says it was Abraham who laughed (Gen. xvii. 17-19) ; the third says every one who heard .of it would laugh (Gen.'xxi. 6). When the child was eight days old he was circumcised (Cien. xxi. 41. and as he grew older he was a good deal with Ish- mael. his half-brother. This displeased Sarah, and she had Hagar and her son driven forth (Gen. xxi. 9 sqq.). Tlie next that we hear of Isaac is in the episode of the offering (Gen. xxii.). In obedience to divine prompting. Abra- ham set out with his son for Jlount Moriah (see Eb.l axu Gebizlm). and there at- tempted to sacrifice the lad as a burnt offering. An angel interposed and a ram was substituted. After the death of his mother Isaac married Rehekah. his kinswoman, brought by Eliezer. the servant of Abraham, by his master's command from Mesopotamia (Gen. xxiv.). Isaac was
