KECOLLECTIONS, 1855-61. 35 



but because they were old ! As far as I can remember 

 I attended most, if not all, of those exhibitions from 

 1854 to 1861, when the secession war put an end to 

 the society's life. It expired in the Academy of Music 

 of Brooklyn. I have said that the breaking out of the 

 war put an end to it; but even if it had not, there 

 would have been a catastrophe. The "element" 

 alluded to had transgressed, trespassed over the limits 

 of sound judgment. First by passing a resolution that 

 " foreign exhibitors " should not have the freight of 

 their exhibits paid, even if the freight should cost more 

 than all the prize money they might receive. Now, do 

 you understand who were those foreign exhibitors? 

 You do not ! Well, those foreign intruders were your 

 correspondent, the "sketcher" of the above bitter- 

 sweet digressions, etc. Secundo : that fifth element 

 had decided sub-rosa not to award any first premiums 

 to that Albany intruder who durst accept money to 

 pay his freight, a mere trifle of $35 or $45 or more at 

 every exhibition. One point to their credit, they did 

 not deny me the right to vote at the presidential elec- 

 tion. You may possibly wish to know who gave me 

 such information. Simply the president of the society 

 and its other officers, who had warned me not to mind 

 the " elements quaking," that every thing should remain 

 in the " statu quo " as before. 



