1. A very highly finished and correct Likeness of WASHINGTON IRVING, Esq. Author of the Sketch Book, Bracebridge Hall, &c., engraved from an original Painting, expressly for

La Belle Assemblée.

2. Altastefully finished Whole Length Figure in a MORNING PROMENADE COSTUME. 3. A beautiful Whole Length Portrait Figure representing an EVENING CARRIAGE AIRING DRESS.

4. EXULT NOT DEAR MAID, a Ballad, written and adapted to a favorite Spanish Air, engraved expressly for La Belle Assemblée.

LITERARY CONTENTS.

CHARACTERS.

Washington Irving, Esq.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF IL-Essay on Imprudent Friendship
LUSTRIOUS AND DISTINGUISHED Tyranny

809

311

Charles and Maria; or, Conjugal Affection 312

The extreme pressure of miscellaneous matter last month, prevented our attending to the ever welcome contributions of B. G.; whom we beg to inform shall have the work reviewed, last mentioned, as soon as we shall receive it.

Correspondents are particularly requested not to postpone forwarding their several contributions beyond the 18th day of the month, otherwise their insertion cannot be depended on, as the magazine is partially arranged for the press on the above mentioned date.

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London: Printed by J. M,Gowan; and Published at No. 4, Brydges Street, Covent Garden.

London Published Aug 1 1822. for La Belle Aisenblee N° 104

LA BELLE ASSEMBLÉE;

For AUGUST, 1822.

A New and Improved Series.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ILLUSTRIOUS AND

DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS.

Number One Hundred and Sixty-four.

WASHINGTON IRVING, Esq.

THE want of a national literature has long || fact, without regarding or noticing the causes been made a matter of reproach to America, and many persons in this country have had a strong inclination to carp and cavil at every thing connected with the United States, and their deficiency in this respect has caused many a gibe and sneer at their expense.

Their eminence in war, in commerce and navigation, in all the civil concernments of life, has remained completely overlooked, or at any rate unmentioned; while it has been continually rung in their ears, that in all matters connected with literature, they were wholly dependent on us. The answer to this reproach is sufficiently obvious and simple, indeed it has been repeatedly made; but it is one of the chief weapons of malice and misrepresentation to speak only of the adverse

which account for and soften it. The Americans and their advocates have naturally said, that no state in its infancy can possess a literature, that the talent of the country is entirely engrossed by its serious wants and occupations of direct usefulness, that in short, men must have all the necessaries, nay, even superfluities of animal life, before they proceed to render that life intellectually agreeable.

It might have been added, that no nation ever progressed so rapidly towards maturity. as America, who is beginning to shew promise of becoming as distinguished in arts and literature, as she is already in arms and commerce. The names of Leslie and Newton stand high, even amongst those of our own painters; and their works claim distinction