 | The works of Washington Irving |  |
THE LIBRARY.
Yesterday the fair Julia made her
first appearance down stairs since her
accident; and the sight of her spread an
universal cheerfulness through the household.
She was extremely pale, however,
and could not walk without pain and
difficulty. She was assisted, therefore,
to a sofa in the library, which is pleasant
and retired, looking out among trees;
and so quiet, that the little birds come
hopping upon the windows, and peering
curiously into the apartment. Here several
of the family gathered round, and
devised means to amuse her, and make
the day pass pleasantly. Lady Lillycraft
lamented the want of some new
novel to while away the time; and was
almost in a pet, because the "Author of
Waverley" had not produced a work for
the last three months.
There was a motion made to call on
the parson for some of his old legends or
ghost stories; but to this Lady Lillycraft
objected, as they were apt to give her the
vapours. General Harbottle gave a minute
account, for the sixth time, of the
disaster of a friend in India, who had his
leg bitten off by a tiger, whilst he was
hunting; and was proceeding to menace
the company with a chapter or two about
Tippoo Saib.
At length the captain bethought himself,
and said, he believed he had a manuscript
tale l