"I would only suggest that in your dedication you would omit the
LL.D., a learned dignity urged upon me very much 'against the
stomach of my sense,' and to which I have never laid claim.
"Ever, my dear sir,
"Yours, very truly,
"Washington Irving
"Sunnyside, Nov. 1851."
I had been personally presented to Mr. Irving for the first time, only a
year before, under the introduction of my good friend, Mr. Clark (the
veteran Editor of the old Knickerbocker in its palmy days). Thereafter I
had met him from time to time, and had paid a charming visit to his
delightful home of Sunnyside. But it was after the date of the
publication of this book and during the summer of 1852, that I saw Mr.
Irving more familiarly, and came to appreciate more fully that charming
_bonhomie_ and geniality in his character which we all recognize so
constantly in his writings. And if I set down here a few recollections
of that pleasant intercourse, they will, I am sure, more than make good
the place of the old letter of Dedication, and will serve to keep alive
the association I wish to cherish between my little book and the name of
the distinguished author who so kindly showed me his favor.
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