The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-03

during Its progress, Sheridan never. :.
this indifference was assumed cahS
say. During my last sitting, III hus,
1887. informed him that just se'ehSee"
years ago / saw and met him wneh, uu,
ing the Franco-German war. al the pal.ie
OF ST. Prival. as the military representa-
tive OF the United States, he rode by lne
side of Bismarck and Moltke in the suite
OF the King OF Prussia. This recalled 10
his memory other persons and incidents
both he and / had known and witnessed
and Produced a most decided change IN
hts manner and bearing toward me. lie
seemed a different man entirely. on
taking leave, after the completion OF my
work, he presented me with fac-simile
of the autograph letter President Lincoln
wrote to him rendering him the thanks
OF the nation for his services rendered
during the campaign In the Shenandoah
valley. He also affixed his autograph to
a cravon sketch made Of him during our
first sitting.
"Es freud mich sehr ihre Beckantshaft
IN machenw with these words In my
mother tongue, George Bancroft, the
great historian. kindly received me In the
library and study at his house in II street
Washington. Retaining my hand, ne
threw me into a seat on small ulVaH'
the only piece Of furniture not entireiy
used as receptacle OF books ana manu-
scripts. Books and follos on shelves COW
cred the walls from the floor TO the cell
ing books lay on all the chairs ana Ia
bles. even occupying most parts OF the
floors Books and papers were mere
there and everywhere. A Few years
before / had had occasion to VISIT Leo
pold Won RanlSe, the great German ms
torian, at Berlin. where among a NUMBER
Of portraits l saw one that particularly
Interested me, representing an extremely
noble and Intellectual head and snowy
white hair and beard. the first portrait |
had ever seen Of George Bancroft.
did not think then 1 should ever be 50
fortunate as 10 paint a portrait or TINS
great man. George Bancroft was an IN
innate friend and an ardent aGmirer OF
Leopold Won Ranke and of him, Alexander
Won Humbold. Scheiormachcr and warm
hagen van Enke all OF them his friends'
teachers and advisers, when, during the
oarlv mart of this century, Bancroft as
a Young student went first TO Europe IN
search of knowledge, he was never urea
of speaking with admiration and rever-
ence. Many and interesting were his re-
miniscences. -.
George bancroft was one Of the best
rounded characters / ever met. Before
we began our sittings he showed me an
excellent portrait OF Himself, palilted py
Prof. GustaVc lNchter AT thc liii' poii
croft was minister at Berlin. express
ed tho fear that ] could scarcely nope 10
cnual This exquisite painting. but declared
would do my best to deserve the con
fdence placed in my ability by my royal
patron. / intended TO paint the historian
AT work among his books and manu-
scripte. and as the light in the library
normittod my doing 50 there, ! arranged
nv easel. obtaining d good view OF ms
fine profile as he was bending over his
working table busly writing George
bancroft was one Of those men who wen
aware Of their own worth, was yet win
ont the slightest affectation or conceiL
putting everybody with whom ne cdi ,',,l III
and the considcrate kindness he extend
cd TO me have made the recollection
thereof one Of the pleasantest in my eN-
perience as a portrait painter
CARL j. BECKER.