Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-10-28

his death agonies. l shuddered as
looked upon the effects of his tremendou
dying strength. For yards around wher
he lay, grass, bushes and sapliugs, and il
fact everything except the more fully
grown trees, were cut clean off, as though
they had been trimmed with an Immense
scythe. This monster, when measured
was filty-one feet two inches and hal
in extreme length, while round the thick
est portion of the dody the girth wa
nearly three feet, thus proving believe
to be the largest serpent that was evel
authentically heard of.
OCarpentel's historical picture o
the Emancipation Proclamation ha:
just been placed on exhibition at til,
Crayon Art Gallery, corner of Broadway
and Eighth street. We have had but d
single view Of 1t !; yet We feel the fullest
confidence in saying that the high expec
tations which have been formed in regard
to the merits of the work will be more
than realized On examination.
The subject, as will be recollected, i:
in the Cabinet meeting at which President
Lincoln Et5t auEouncld ais determination
to issue the Proclamation Of EHl1nci pa
ton. T4c picture represents the EXecp
tive and the nAeubers oi tie Cabinet ell
gagged in the consideration Of the nlomen
tous measure.
At the right stands the natural borl
king OF the occasion, lr. Secretary Chase
Easily and without effort, his vast sell
centred intellect grasps the question ii
all Ito bearings aud consequences, puts II
to tae test Of universal principles, ant
uahesitatingly pronounees iii its favor.
Before him sits Stanton, whose profile
showS tn, promptness, decision, endur
ance, and great organizing power which
have kept him at the head Of the Wal
Bureau daring one of the most gigantic
contests that the world has ever seen.-
He, too, is evidently favorable to the
measure.
Seated ncare, the centre Of the group
at the head of the Cabinet table, is tht
plain, patient, practical President, tht
much lauded, much deserted Aelmsman
wha has had to guide the ship Of State
through as terrible a sea Of difficulties az
ever political navigator had to encouater
As he appears there, his nind seems tc
be fully made up, his face is fortress o
rude strength, aud betrays little evidence
that its keeper is ever reminded OF a lit
tie story
la the front Of the table, sitting com
fortably, is the Secretary OF State, who
shows. in his life ike, well executed pro-
t!e that be thoroughly approves OF the
proclamation, but, at the same time ha;
tar.seeing, leen-scented doubt whether
it would not be better policy to choose a
more favorable occasion for issuing the
edict-aftcr great victory, for instance
Beyond the table, aud somewhat OF
the left. Postmaster General Blair, ha,
drawn himself up in quite an imposln.
and characteristic attitude; perhaps try
ing to reach 1.-The height of this great ar
gumeut;' perhaps trying to look Tar intf
the future-as far as the PresIdentia
election certainly.
By his side, at the extreme left Of tht
picture, sits the inpersonstlon OF lega
science, Attorney General Bates, looAln.
hard into the tangle OF knoty question:
which the decree will doubtless cause tt
spring up. At Blair's right, stands .
sturdy support in the person of Secretary
Smith and, still farther along, there st'
facing Us at the table, the very picture O
cquanimity aud imperturbabie compla
cency, the redvubtabe Gideon OF the
Navy.
Taking these figures together they
make group cminentiy worthy of study
connected, as they are, with the history
of this memorable period in the nations
existence. They are ali excellent like
nasses, we'll individualized and full o
character. Seward and Chase are espec
ially fine success, aud the Preslden
also, whose face is most difficult one to
fix GA canvass. The positions are in gen
eral, easy and natural the grouping ei
ioetive, aud remarkably free from any
appearance Of constraint.
In the matter of rea'ness the work de
serves great praise, The figure of Sew
ard, especially, is q masterpiece, anc
stands cut of the canvas with the force o
life itself. The head of Secretary Chase
also, is capital exhibition Of artistic
skill and power.
The work has been conceived and exc
cuted in a style admirably betting thu
simple grandeur and solemnity of th'
subject. 1t is true republican epic
1t presents to US earnest business. The
costumes, attitudes, the room and its fur
nishings, all are in the most plain, repnb
lican style. The artist might have IN
troduced much of the "pomp and circum
stances" Of State symbolism, spread eagle
banners, and long vistas filled vita sug
gestious of material power ard glory, bu
he has refrained from all such accessories
and shown his trne appreciation of hi
subject in so doing. He has sought fo
his picture only the adornment of hlgl
purpose aud noble resolves in the cause o
human liberty and civilization. We con
gratulate the artist upon his success. ii
has completed great national work-on
that will be of absorbing interest as loni