Sketch of the life of Abraham Lincoln Part 10

BRIEF SAYINGS OF EMINENT MEN.

SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, } WASHINGTON CITY, _March 20, 1867_. }

Col. J. B. BACHELDER.

SIR:--The picture of "The Last Hours of Lincoln." painted by Alonzo Chappel from your design, presents, with remarkable fidelity, the portraits of those in attendance at various times during the night of April 14, 1865, preserving truthfully the princ.i.p.al features of that most sad event.

Very respectfully yours, J. K. BARNES. _Surgeon-General, U.S.A., Brevet Major-General._

It is certainly a work of great interest and merit. I have looked upon it with the liveliest satisfaction on account of its singularly graphic delineation of the actual scene as myself beheld it, and also because the likenesses of most of the distinguished persons presented by the painting seem to me to be very accurate and striking.

P. D. GURLEY. _Pastor of the N. Y. Ave. Pres. Church_

I cheerfully bear testimony to the accuracy of the Portraits of the persons present on that melancholy occasion, and especially that of the martyred President.

W. T. OTTO. _a.s.sistant Secretary of the Interior._

It gives me pleasure to testify to the accuracy with which you have represented the princ.i.p.al features of the scene in question, and to the fidelity of the portraits which you have introduced. You have been especially successful in the likeness of President Lincoln.

JOHN HAY, _Brevet Colonel, formerly A. D. C. to President Lincoln_.

The truthful likeness of President Lincoln, the fidelity of the portraits of those present on that most mournful night, and the excellent grouping of the figures, render this picture peculiarly valuable in an historical point of view, apart from its merits as a work of art.

C. H. CRANE, _a.s.sistant Surgeon-General U. S. Army_.

Without possessing a critical capacity for judgment, I can say, in all sincerity, that the painting as a whole, is faithful to the scene of the death-chamber on that eventful night, and impressively truthful in its portraiture.

D. K. CARTTER, _Chief-Justice_.

The above gentlemen visited President Lincoln during his last hours, and are represented in the painting.

It is admirable as a picture, and of great value for the fidelity of the portraits.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, _Major-General_.

DEAR SIR:--Permit me to thank you for the enjoyment of the luxury of grief afforded me in the viewing of the great picture commemorating "The Last Hours of Lincoln." It is deserving of great praise. If it has a fault, it is its high coloring. As I have personally known nearly all the forty odd persons who appear in it, I can speak with confidence of the truthfulness of the likenesses.

F. E. SPINNER, _Treasurer United States_.

The majority of the portraits could hardly be improved.

O. O. HOWARD, _Major-General_.

I know personally a large majority of the persons represented, and take pleasure in bearing my testimony to the singular fidelity of their portraits.

IRA HARRIS, _United States Senator_.

EXTRACT FROM A CRITICISM.

[_From the Washington Sunday Herald._]

WASHINGTON, _March 31, 1867_.

A great picture has been designed of the "Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln." The designer is Mr. John B. Bachelder, the painter Alonzo Chappel. * * The value of such a picture of such a scene is enormous, and of a kind to ever increase with time. * * Looking like himself, from his finger-nails to his hard, protruding lip, Stanton, with paper and pencil in hand, and uplifted forefinger, is giving instructions to the soldierly General Auger, the then Military Commander of the District.

* * Portraits so minutely like I have never seen, even from the brush of Elliot. * * *

The grandeur in the face of Lincoln, is grand indeed. The cold hues of death are warmed to the eye by the red rays of a candle held over him, and the flickering flare causing a Rembrandt-like effect, is very felicitously managed. The eye rests in love and pity on it, turning from those around impatiently. * * *

McCulloch who turns from the scene, and Johnson who sits in the left foreground, are wonderfully like. As is the erect Dennison beyond them; and Meigs, with his hand resting on the door-post, where he stood to prevent disturbing entrances; Dr. Stone and Surgeon-General Barnes, General Todd, Judge Otto, Sumner, Farnsworth, Speaker Colfax, and Governor Oglesby, are looking down on the face of Lincoln with an expression of respectful concern. * * * Judge Cartter and Ex-Governor Farwell stand in front of Meigs, forming the right foreground of the picture; they are given in profile and seem conversing.

The greatness of the picture lies in its correct transcription of an actual scene and perfect portraiture of American men. It is just such a work as, above all others, should be American property, for if ever there was a _National_ picture, this is one.

ARC.