CHAPTER XXII.
WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"-- MRS.
MARKHAM'S HISTORIES.
The book trade between England and America was in its infancy at the, time of which we are now writing, and though Mr.Murray was frequently invited to publish American books, he had considerable hesitation in accepting such invitations.
Mr.Washington Irving, who was already since 1807 favourably known as an author in America, called upon Mr.Murray, and was asked to dine, as distinguished Americans usually were.

He thus records his recollections of the event in a letter to his brother Peter at Liverpool: _Mr.Washington Irving to Mr.Peter Irving_.
_August_ 19, 1817.
"I had a very pleasant dinner at Murray's.

I met there D'Israeli and an artist [Brockedon] just returned from Italy with an immense number of beautiful sketches of Italian scenery and architecture.

D'Israeli's wife and daughter came in in the course of the evening, and we did not adjourn until twelve o'clock.

I had a long _tete-a-tete_ with old D'Israeli in a corner.