The Washington times., 1901-11-24

ished by critics In the press and by the
| public during the days when it hung in
the East Room must have come to hin
| with the delightful sense Of successful
| achievement.
Lincoln as an Art Critic.
The final view of the picture. taken by
Lincoln and the artist together, before
the latter's farewell to his work at the
White House, showed the great war Pres
dent in the somewhat novel light of art
| critic.
Turning to me-" says the artist, Pres
ident Lincoln said: Well. Carpenter.
must go In and take one more look at the
picture before you leave u.s. So saying,
| he accompanied me to the East Room, and
sitting down in front Of 1t. remained for
some time in silence. said that had at
] length worked out my idea, as he express
ed it. at our frs. interview, and would
now be glad to hear his final suggestions
and criticism.
There is little to find fault with he
replied; the portraiture is the main thing.
and that seems to me absolutely perfect
II then called his attention afresh to
the accessories of the picture stating that
these had been selected from the objects
in the Cabinet chamber with reference to
their bearing upon the subject.
Yes said he. there are the war
maps, the portfolios, the slave map, and
all; but the book in the corner leaning
against the chimney--you have changed
the title of that, I-see. -
Yes replied, at the last moment
learned that you frequently consulted.
during the period you were preparing the
proclamation, Solicitor Whitney's work on
the War Powers OF the President" and
as emancipation was the result in fact. of
military necessity, the book seemed to
me just the thing to go in there; SO sim
ply changed the title, leaving the old
sheepskin cover as it was
Now said he, 'Whitney's book is not
a regular law book. 1t is all very well
that it should be there, but I would sug-
gest that as you have changed the title
you change also the character of the bind
ing. 1t now looks like an old volume of
United States Statutes
81 thanked him for this criticism, and
then said: is there anything else that you
would like changed or added?'
NO. he replied, and then repeated
very lHe ne uoc0
when the design was first sketched upon
the canvas: 1t is as good as 1t can be
made
4 then referred at some length to the
enthusiasm in which the picture was con-
ceived, and had been executed, conclud-
ing with an expression of my profound
appreciation of the very unusual opportu-
mites afforded me in the prosecution of
the work, and his unvarying kindness and
h. ~
our intercourse. r
"He listened pensively-almost passive
ly-to me, his eyes fastened upon the pic
ture. As / finished, he turned and, in
his simple-hearted, earnest way, said:
Carpenter, l believe l am about as glad
over tho success of this work as you are.
And with these words in my ear. and
cordial 'good-bv' grasp of the hand, Pres
ident and painter separated"
Bob IngersoiPs story.
In his lecture upon Abraham Lincoln.
the late Col. Robert G. Ingersoll told an
anecdote which is piquantly characteris-
TIC ION the 22d of July, 1852, Lincoln
sent word to the members Of his Cabinet
that he wished to see them. 1t so hap
pened that Secretary Chase was the first
to arrive. He found Lincoln reading a
book Looking up from the page, the
President said: Chase, did you ever read
this book?' What book is it?' asked
Chase. .Artemus Ward replied Lincoln.
Let me read you this chapter, entitled.
Wax Wurx in Albany And SO he be-
gan reading while the other members of
the Cabinet one by one came In. At last
Stanton told Mr.. Lincoln that he was in
a great hurry, and il any business was to
be done, he would like to do 1t at once. |
Mr.. Lincoln laid down the |
open book-opened drawer, took out |
a paper. and said: Gentlemen, I have !
called you together to notify you what |
| have determined to do. / want no ad- |
vice. Nothing can change my mind
He then read the Proclamation of |
The meeting was /
over, the members went their way. Mr.. |
Chase was the last to go, and as he went |
through the door looked back and saw
that Mr. Lincoln had taken UP the book |
and was again engrossed in tho Wax |
Turx at Albany
The cost of the painting was $4,000.