<p>In 'The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.', Washington Irving astutely blends picturesque views of early 19th-century life with the timeless allure of folklore and fantasy. This composite work, awash in the romanticism typical of the era, intricately combines travelogue-style essays with narrative shorts, including the celebrated 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.' The text is not only an artistic reflection on the mores an...