The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-02


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Drudyss Gallery of the Great Departed.
CAsyle phily says that "history is the Of in
ssmerabls Biographies" On the prncipae We may
truly say that historical pcturesand especially The por-
Gaais eminent nen-are tho essence d hiogSaphies
sy really form most suggestive history, and Ae pic
tred presence Of great statesman warrior o. author,
Win whose reputation nation u not only familiar, but
Asntned brings up At glance oil The great scons for
which the nation has become bus debtor. In even more
pseminent manner series Of portraits Of well known
NATIONAL persons more suggestive record than voumi
nous written history, and better than meager one
Ne seeing man on the street, with whose past actions
zen have been familiar. His whole career, IN compre
hensve way-and even sometimes remarkable detail
AAshes into and ls the BRAIN This fact s very strongly
svenced and its popularity widely illustrated, by the
extra value attached TO books which have portraits IN
hem. yet more incontestbly proved by the demand
shown by the supply Of portraits Of notable people In
Ne Illustrated newspapers Of Germany, France, England
md America To this country the remark 10 still moro
applicable. The people ike TO see the peoples men
whether they be statesmen inventors successfal ven
ders Of strops dealers greater shaving opera
toas blue light drAmAss true light preachers, acors
Journalists dancers or singers All Of these publications
are national galleries for the people, after fashion, and
tnose Of reproduce the acts and people OF the
day best now and become Of undoubed historic
value 70 the future studen Of the manners customs men,
women and amusements Of our day.
The subject is full Of interest," and might be made the
vehicle for interesting analoeies We especially
struck with the historical value Of portraure Of the first
and only reliable class while contemplating the gallery Of
Photographs just removed from this city to Washington
by Mr. Brady, the eminent photographer. Such col
iecsop-embracing Of not only national, but world
WIDE reputation, connected with American statesman
and dav Of
Quincy Adams Galatn and Jackson to those of Webster
Marcy and Elisha Kane-must in few years be beyond
a price, The best efforts Of science have been combined
With the most delicate and experienced Of art
~ make those pictures Portraits and the portraits pic
The result is have Of the best since
the rst great Of the Revolution given in their
best phases while the last days Of others, whose early
struggles commenced there caught for and for
ture generations with unerring fathfuness. There is
no such reliable collection the country and there
not be such another Mr. Brady's enthusiastic devotion
to bis art the audAbe desire, which every true artist
Sels 10 connect his efforts with the history Of his
Ay, prompted him 70 make the collection. Could we
have had such gallery Of the Of the Revolution,
the country would cherish 1t Of s dearest shrnes
ASsuredly when the dust Of political battle has
pletely cleared away, many Of the great rivals in
Brady's collection viii be deemed worthy 10 follow
in The steps Of their predecessors Some have taken
their phases among mmortas Of the repubc-Jackson
for instance. The portrait Of the who consolidated
IN the second war the liberties in the first with
Great Britain in his last days at the Hermitage; but
days in which he still leader Of the party Of which his
very name is considered 10 be tho head by some We
Laveheard Edwin Forrest tell Of visit the Hermitage
IN those days. and describe the feebly strong old man
kang his STAFF and showing by those characteristics
which never changebut only get mellowed until they
drop into the grave-the courageous sereance and iron
viii which dclated 70 State Councils and Senates like
Csomwen and carried on campaigns with the decisive
energy Of Napoleon Although jackson Was much older
Asa Richelieu as depicted in Sir Edward Bulwers play
s the vitality and tenaciy Of the old hero gave Forrest
useful study which he embraced 10 aid his conceptions
Of the French statesman who was in himself France.
wnas "reminiscences the picture Of this old man (whose
sctons were eloquent calls to mind When Nsw Orleans
was in Commoton fearful Of the approach Of the British
Jackson calmed their fears by ordering Livingston to tel
- peop,e "shat he was there" The CONSEQUENCES
uf power carried him through everything Judge Bald
Vim we'll says that che seemed 70 rise TO- but ever
10 stand level with, the Hottest exgences." good in
stsuce Of Jacksons prompt practicabily Is given, com
p,a,nngy by Vincent Nolte. he demonstrated against
having his cotton used for breastwors while other and
nfssor could be had Coming 70 Jackson, he was met
With the reply "n this your cotton, you at least will
sos think ii any hardship 10 defend IT," Noe significant
prints In his book certncate OF service during tne
campaign against the English"
A jackson closed the at home Quincy Adams Clay
and Gaatin dipomatcaly closed abroad They all
h shh gallery. II Is worth remembering that the elder
ANS WAS the chief American negoator Of the peace
seacudpg the frst war, the younger Adams was Of
he second The great interest attaching 70 the latter was
exhbi,ed lately at sale of the old furniture Of the old
House Of Representatives Quincy Adams chair sold for
80 which was much more than any other brought
special agent was on his way from Massachusetts, to 60
luh and even higher than $500, for II. was the chair
into which he fainng fell on his last appearance in the
house. Like the great Chatham, he died in Legislative
harness. Chathams death, TOO, has nAmerican inte
resa He went 70 the Lords 70 oppose the dsmember
msnt Of the then American colonies from Great Britain
recommended by the Duke Of Richmond, and attempting
70 reply TO whom he tainted and fell back Another
American connection comes 70 mind. Tho picture o
Chsshams DEATH now the National Gallery, was paint
ed by an American artist-John Singleton CoplQ-whos
eoa u now famous Lord Iyndhurst Bradys exceilen
portrait Of Adams has all the placid characteristics Of h
cultivated mind and which 70 the last he continued
cultivate that he might cultivate others. Here We Dol
The capacous and weA balanced head that amid th
crowdipg duties Of his executive career found time
make abstracts Of Coeros 0ratons and Pascas Letter
for the benefit Of his scn.
And here y Henry Clay, without exception the bea
portrait Of MIN eXtAnt, WnCn oWn8 W JUG Poeo " tn
head The nose b not thrown 70 awkwardy forward an
upward It 10 IN every other picture we have seen, no
does the mouth seem awful cash from ear TO ear
me sitting Of Clay FOR this picture work Of art in
self. Il conveys, too, the mental peculiaritie
Of the orator with . luminous power, mel
lowed somewhat by years. but still edulgent
ni noble picture Of one "whose patriotism and love
IN country" ~ wiberforce said Of Gratan, "seeme
completely 70 exnguish all private interests, J" brings
nmd with what enthusiasm the people recognised th
original One occasion in particular occurs to US who
NE slender ngure, the elevated brow, the clear, blss
gray eye and expr essve though homely mouth, was re
oognsed the Jenny Lind concert inWashington Pres
eat Fillmore had been received with attention; webste
with deferental respect, but three cheers for Har
ay given, such as flung Jules Benedcts concert