The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30
AN INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.
sconos ut "Tho Hermitago"-Tho Last
Days OF Andrew jackson.

Days OF Andrew jackson.
The following interesting account u taken
from a private letter Of Mr.. George r.. A.
Hcaly, the American artist, long resident
In Paris
| beg TO give you the statement you 70
qucstcd Of my commission from King Louis
Philippe In the spring u isls, at which
time l was occupied In England IN the
Kings service. Ills Majesty sent for me 10
Paris aud said: "Mr. Hcnly, / wish you to
paint for my historical gallery nj Versailles
portraits Of several Of the great men Of your
country. I learn that Gen. Jackson Is cx-
ircmcly M, ahd NJ ] wish his likeness taken
from the life, lose no time ON your way 10
the Hermitage" So we'll aid l carry out
Instructions that ! aid not stop la baltimore
10 visit my only sister, whom | had not seen
for years.
On my arrival | was gricycd 10 see the
General ~ No. he had been unable to lio
down Tor ihrcc months, Ills answer 10 the
/ Kings request was, Cant sit sir" Ny
reply Wa. ''rhc King will be very sorry. "
Not for al the kings in Christondnin, SIR
l bowed. one ui the gentlemen said, "Mr
llcnly, YOU should have first seen Mr.. Jack.
SON. This lady was the wife ~ young
nonclgon. who took the name Of Jackson
when adopted nv the General. She had
gone a. Nashville, twelve miles away.
drove back to town, found the lads, and
related the result of my visit She said, II
am snrry father will not sit, but, Mr. Hcaly
| will zee what can do, and, should be con
sent my husband will call for you nj II
o'clock tomorrow morning"
never passed ~ long a night and III,
heat. although but the ~ of May, was cx
trvmc. Happily was called for at the hour
named. ! was g%nciously received by III,
General, who npologizcd that in the sitting.
he should be- unable 10 de- me Justice. o.
surcd him the greatest Justice he could u,
me was to fowct that I was present Mr.
Jackson informed me that she aid much Q,
him Of the Joy his friends would feel 10 sc,
his Likeness at Versailles. His answer VA
the same. Cant IT. my child. LET me III,
IN peace" At last she snidi Father
should like you ~ sit at this bis tears EEL
fast and hc exclaimed; "My child, l vii
sit Tho pictuu was completed within
the week. They requested me to copy II
Tor the family un my rutum To laris, I Ni,
a copy was rarely M ruud ns the original !
the General would allow me 10 paint q sec
und, they should have the hrt this uV,
ntdaction. When | had done, the old hen
said. ''sir. ! wish you to paint my child io
me- ] bowed, aud taid u was my duty n
once 10 20 90 Mr.. clay. | shall never forge
his impressive manner ~ hc said. "Nuunl
mau. always do your duty"
On my rvtum 10 Nashville the Hon. JOIN
He'll informed me the last be bad hcarl %
Mr. Clay was that be- hal n had cold on boar
a steamer aground near Louisville, ny, an,
II would be q week before be- could lear
whether be had continued % g. Louis %
had returned 10 Ashland. therefore wen
back to the Hermitage, zen. Jackson said
II a. glad 10 see you, sir. aud " the Ion
sparrl my life TO see my Child'a portrait I'm
ishCd, I shall rejoice This Wns Wcdncs
day; tho next saturday the work wantc,
one sitting, and the General never saw /
/ finished. On Sunday morning I was dccpil
/ touched by n cry or vail that was begun b,
the servants " the house, and taken M HI
those without aud, like wave after wave
passed over the entire plantation; thl
words were. Lord, Lord, old master /
dead. old master II dead This was Ina m,
morning l remained IN my room until 4
o'clock, whom ! heard steps on the stniru. Iay
two ncphews VI Mu. Jackson, who iniornc,