612 • THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



line of paint or a feather, until the hour had arrived for the honors and the luxuries 

 that awaited them. 



I reasoned awhile with these three epicures o.f the land of buffaloes' tongues and 

 beavers' tails, telling them that they were laboring under a misconception of the ideas 

 of gentility as entertained in the civilized and fashionable world; that in London the 

 genteel people practised entirely the opposite mode from theirs; that light dinners and 

 light breakfasts were all the fashion, and the less a lady or gentleman could be seen eat- 

 ing, the more sentimental he or she was considered, and consequently the . more tran- 

 scendently genteel; and that when they went to breakfast with their friends at 12, or 

 to dine at 7 or 8, they were generally in the habit of promoting gentility by eating a 

 little at home before they started. 



My reasoning, however, had no other effect than to excite a smile from the doctor, 

 and the very philosophic reply, ' ' That they should prefer to adhere to their own custom 

 until they got to the lady's house, when they would try to conform to that of the white 

 people of London. * * * 



AT ME. DISKAELI'S. 



Mr. Melody and myself accompanied the Indians, and all together were put down at 

 the door, where we met a host of waiters in livery, ready to conduct us to the kind lady 

 and gentleman, whom they instantly recollected to have seen and shaken hands with in 

 the exhibition room. This gave them confidence, and all parties were made easy in a 

 moment by a general introduction which followed. Through the interpreter, the ladies . 

 complimented them for their dances and songs, which they had heard, and pronounced 

 to be very wonderful. Their women and little children were kindly treated by the 

 ladies, and seats were prepared for them to sit down. The men were also desired to be 

 seated, but on looking around the room, upon the richness of its furniture, the splendid 

 carpet on which they stood, and the crimson velvet of the cushioned chairs that were 

 behind them, they smiled, and seemed reluctant to sit upon them for fear of soiling 

 them. They were at length prevailed upon to be seated, however, and after a little 

 conversation were conducted by Mr. Disraeli through the different apartments of his 

 house, where he put in their hands and explained to them, much to their gratification, 

 many curious daggers, sabers, and other weapons and curiosities of antiquity. In pass- 

 ing through the dining-saloon they passed the table, groaning under the weight of its 

 costly plate and the luxuries which were prepared for them. Upon this the old doctor 

 smiled as he passed along, and he even turned his head to smile again upon it as he 

 left it. 



KIND EECEPTION AT ME. DISEAELl'S. 



After we had surveyed all below the party were invited to the top of the house, and 

 Mr. Disraeli led the way. The ladies, of whom there were a goodly number, all fol- 

 lowed; and altogether, the pictured buffalo robes, the rouged heads and red feathers, 

 the gaudy silks and bonnets and ribbons, glistening lances and tomahawks and black 

 coats formed a novel group for the gaze of the multitude who were gathering from all 

 directions under the ever-exciting cry of " Indians ! Indians ! " 



Hyde Park was under our eye, and from our position we had the most lovely view of 

 it that any point could afford; and also of the drilling of troops, and the sham fight in 

 the park, which was going on under our full view. This waS exceedingly exciting and 

 amusing to the Indians, and also the extensive look we had in turning our eyes in the 

 other direction, over the city. The ladies had now descended, and we all followed to 

 the saloon, where it was soon announced that the breakfast was ready; and in a few mo- 

 ments all were seated at the table excepting the doctor, who was not to be found. Jeff- 

 rey and I instantly thought of his propensity, and went to the house-top for him, but 

 to our amazement he was not thei'e. In descending the stairs, however, and observing 

 a smoke issuing out of one of the chambers into which we had been led, on going up to ex- 



