The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-24
FRANCE.



PARIS November is, lS45.
Mr.. Catlin excited SO much interest at court when
he accompanied the ioway and Oiibbeway Indians,
that he received, few days after the last visit, an
invitation to breakfast with the royal family at Saint
Cloud He was most kindly welcomed, and after
the repast the King entered into long conversation
with him the indigenous races of America and
the scenes Of "the West" displaying fair knowl-
edge Of both the interest Of the conversation being
heightened by several anecdotes of his own adyen-
lures among them, one Of which cannot refrain
from approprlating. Mentioning that he had heard
several Indians speak of the Kings having travel.
led among them, Mr.. Catlln alluded to one in par
tcular, who had told him that his Majesty bled a
white man who thrown from a wagon. "No,
no. said the King, che had bad memory it was
myself that bled. We were travelling in an open
wagon, drawn by two free horses, and in descend
the centre of the road One of the horses chose to
pass on one side Of it, and his fellow on the other;
so that in spite Of all that the driver could do, the
wagon was dashed against the stump, and we were
thrown out with great violence. Stunned by the
fall, lay for some moments inscnsbe, but on re-
covering, managed to bind up and draw blood from
my arm-was carried to neighboring cabin-and
IN couple of days found myself able to proceed.
few hours previous to my departure, however I
received visit from the squire and several other i'm
porant personages of the neighborhood who had
come TO endeavor to persuade me to remain and
guarantee me good living feeling certain, to use
their own words, that man who could doctor him
self was well calculated to heal others, and were
quite disappointed when l declined their PROPOSE
ton" Mr. Catlin having, on his return, taken full
notes of the conversation, shall not repeat any
more of it except the close "Bring all your col
lection to the Louvre, where orders will be given to
place a hall and every facility at your disposition
and we expect TO derive much pleasure and instruc-
ton in carefully examining it,"
The hall chosen by Mr.. Catlin looks upon the
grand court, and was formerly known as the Sale
do Parliament, as II was there that the Chambers
used to assemble, to have their sittinss opened by
an address from the King. One of its spacious
sides was covered with the collection of portraits
between the windows opposite were the sketches of
indian villages and ceremones--in the CENTRE q
Crow wigwam, twenty-five feet high was pitched
upon poles brought from the Rocky mountains
while upon numerous tables were dresses, weapons.
pipes, &c, all arranged by MIR. Catlin with great
taste, and filling the spacious hail. whose noble pro-
portions gave grand effect to the collection which
can be imagined by those who have seen it, with in
teres, IN amore circumscribed space. All was
arranged on the morning Of the eleventh. and the
King being informed, came TO whit IT, in the after
noon, looking in better health and spirits than |
have ever seen him. He wore grey tweed wrap
per, over a black cloth suit. without any mark Of
decoration, and walked erect with as firm Tread
as any OF the numerous suite ofbrant officers who
followed him. Expressing his regret mt the cabinet
council having prolonged its session to so late an
hour, that he had declined bringing his family until
some future day, when they could have more time
he commenced a careful inspection. Almost every
picture and object was examined with marked inter
est, evidently heightened by MIR. Catlin's vivid de-
scrPIions Of the original scenes; the force and evil
dent truth of which could but bring the whole de-
tail Of Indian life before those who heard him in
eloquent reality. For upwards OF AN hour the gift
ed son of Wyoming thus recohnted Succession or
Surfing anecdotes,only interrupted by the commen,s
and questions of The King, and, when want Of
light closed the examination, his Majesty took his
leave with promise to come again, accompanied
by strong expression of thanks and praise Mr.
Cstn viii, learn from the director of the museum
receive an order for pictures from the King-proba-
bly, series illustrating his journey in tie western
States, or the life of La Sae the discoyercr of Tho
Mississippi, and victim of Jesuitical intrcues
All this should be source OF pride TO every Amor
Ican. single feIow-citizen has, without fortune
or patronage, created, from an original and national
source, collection which has attracted Inc notice
and admiration Of the greatest monarch of Inc noe
Bnt regret TO be forced TO add that this cocctfon
% not likely ever to leave the Louvre; and tbnf on
descendants viii be forced to visit France 10 s,nJv
The pecuartes of their national ancestry. blo1,ed
from the face Of their beautiful land bv ~ roIa
ude OF civilization. If | remember rightly. com.
mI'lee oil Congress made unanimous report. some