The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-12

| Hurd Houghton will publish early in May,
ask Months at the White House," by +. B. Car
| penter. the artist.
! Mr.. Carpenter one Of our wellknown New
York artists. an enthusiastic admrer and sup
porter,of President Lincoln, conceived the idea,
in the latter part of 1868, of painting a picture
commemoratng ''the first reading of the Eman-
cipation Proclamation before the Cabinet"
Through the late Owen Loveioy, Speaker Col
! fax, and two or three New York friends, Mr..
Lincoln became interested in the project, and
invited Mr.. Carpenter to theWhlte House, for the
purpose of affording him every facility in study
! ing his subjects from life. The painting of the
picture, comprising a hfe-sze group of the
President and Cabinet, occupied six months
from February TO August 1864, during which
period Mr.. Carpenter enjoyed constant inter-
course with the President, as well as the various
members of the Cabinet The subject of the
picture together with the circumstances at
tending the execution of the work, aud the
death of President Lincoln so soon after its COM
pletion, conspiIed to give to it an extraordinary
degree of interest manifested by the crowds
who thronged to see IT during the time it was on
exhibition in different parts of the country. Mr..
Carpenter has written out in detail the history
of his connection with Mr.. Lincoln, with which
are interviewer various "Reminiscences and
personal relations, collected and given to the
author from time to time by different indi-
vlduals, making a volume OF over three hundred
pages.
The name peoples Edition." given by
Messrs. Hurd & Houghton to a new and conve-
nient issue of "Hood's Poems," complete in one
volume, is warranted by its double significance;
for Hood ranged himself On the side of the peo-
pie, making their life the inspiration of his
noblest poetry, and the people have enthusiastic
cally adopted him as their poet; and if there
were Congress OF poets on Parnassus, Hood
would be found elected by a vast majority from
the ranks of working men and women. There
is something very touching in the affectonate
regard with which he is held by rough
men both in England and America they
see in him true champion, who was
one with them in sympathy and suffering,
and adhered to the cause of humanity not
to further any petty ends of his own, but because
his nature was identified with theirs. For the
people, as distinct from privileged classes, Hood
always must be the representative poet. He has
made the wrongs of those suffering from class
oppression to sing themselves where no formal
petition could get entrance; and we are con-
vinced that his "Song of the Shirt" which has
become sort of rallying cry, has effected more
of change in the condition of working women
than all other direct appeals combined. There
is no one, whose instincts OF humanity have not
been crushed by social privileges, that does not
respond to Hoods terveut words. We weep with
him; we laugh. He has built up democracy
to the sound of his enchanting Tyre. 1t is the
people who are finally to prevail IN the world.
The poets of class will 90 down with class-but
Hood, will be elevated to higher place than he
holds even now.
A BEAUTIFUL ENGRAvING.-The readers of TIE
TELEGRAPH will remember that some months
ago we published a minute description of the
splendid national painting by Mr.. Carpenter of
the First Reading of the Emancipation Procla-
nation by President Lincoln" For the purpose
of giving it wide circulation it has been en-
graved by A. H. Ritchie, of New York, and will
be sold only to subscribers. MIR. 7. B. Pugh, at
Sixth and Chestnut streets, is the sole agent for
this city, and he has now on exhibition at his
store a very fine proof below letters which is
well worth seeing.
The engraving is q by 32 inches and is sold
at the following rates:-Artsts Proofs, $50;
India Proofs, $25; Plain Proofs, $40. The
picture represents meeting of the Cabinet ex-
tion. Mr.. Lincoln occupies the centre of the pic
ture, with the immortal document in his hand
1t ltisevidently amoment of suspense. The reading
has Just concluded. The vast subject fills all
minds. Mr.. Seward the Secretary of State, is
speaking, and all give an attentive ear. And
these are the words he is uttering:-
This matter is of so much importance, that
fear its effect at this iuncture; it may be con-
sidered the last effort of an exhausted Govern
ment-a cry for help-'the Government stretch
Ethiopia stretching forth its hands to the Gov
ernment.' Therefore, MI. President, ! suggest
that you postpone the issue OF the Proclamation
until it can be given to the country upon Union
success rather than detea"
The positions of the figures are suggestive. Our
dead President occupies an armchair in the
foreground. He grasps the Proclamation in
his left hand, which has dropped upon the table
at his side; the old lines of humor are all gone
from his face, and in their stead is a strange
blending of irmness and anxiety. Slightly in
the rear of Mr.. Lincoln is the Secretary of
the Treasury, Mr.. Chase, standing with arms
closely folded over his breast. The President
is supported Oh each hand by the Secretaries
of War and the Navy, Mr. Stanton on the right
and Mr.. Welles on the left, both of whom,
together with Mr.. Chase. are looking, with
varying shades OF expression, towards the
speaker, Mr.. Seward At the end of the table
opposite the President, leaning forward upon
his arms, is Judge Bates the Attorney General
Immediately at his right, standing, as if having
Blair, the POstmaster-General In the back.