662 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



from St. Germain we recrossed the Seine by Pont Neuf, and had a fine view of all the 

 bridges, and the palace of the Tuileries, and the Louvre. The omnibus stojiped a 

 moment on the middle of the bridge, and they were much excited by the view. A 

 few minutes more brought us in front of the Hotel de Ville, wiere several thousands 

 of people were assembled; it having been heard in the streets, in all probabil^ity from 

 the servants or police, that a party of savages were to be there at that hour. 



There was a great outcry when they landed and entered the hall, and the crowd 

 was sure not to diminish whilst they were within. 



THE HOTEL DE VILLE. 



We were all presented to his excellency the prefet de police by my friend Monsieur 

 Vattemare, and received with great kindness, and conducted through all the principal 

 apartments of that noble edifice, which are finished and furnished in the most sumptu- 

 ous style, and in richness of effect surpassing even the most splendid halls of the 

 palaces of the Tuileries or St. Cloud. The gorgeousness of the carpets on which they 

 stood, and the tapestry that was around them, and the incredible size of the mirrors 

 that were reflecting them in a hundred directions, were subjects till then entirely new 

 to them ; and they seemed completely amazed at the splendor with which they were 

 surrounded. From these splendid salons we were conducted into the salle a manger, 

 and opportunely where the table was si^read and the plates laid for a grand banquet. 

 This was a lucky occurrence, affording us, as well as the Indians, an opportunity of 

 seeing the richness of the plate upon which those elegant affairs are served up, and 

 which but a choice few can ever behold. 



Retiring from and through this suite of splendid salons we entered an ante-chamber, 

 where we were presented to the elegant lady of the prefet and several of their friends, 

 who brought us to a table loaded with fruit and cakes and other refreshments, and 

 wine of several sorts and the best in quality. The corks of several bottles of cham- 

 l^ague were drawn, and, as the sparkling wine was running, each one smiled as he 

 whispered the word cMcJcaiohhoo. The prefet drank their health in a glass of the 

 " Queen's cinckabohhoo," as they called it, and then, with his own hands, presented each 

 a handsome silver medal, and also one to Mr. Melody and myself. 



THE king's invitation. 



The minister of the interior had kindly granted an order for the admission of my 

 whole collection into the kingdom by my paying merely a nominal duty, but there 

 were still forms and delays to submit to in the customs which were tedious and vex- 

 atious, but by the aid of my above-mentioned good friend they had all been over- 

 come ; and mj"^ collection was now nearly ready for the public examination, when I 

 received a letter from the American minister informing me that "on a certain day 

 and at a certain hour His Majesty would see Mr. Catlin and Mr. Melody with the 

 loway Indians in the palace of the Tuileries." There was great rejoicing amongst 

 the good fellows when they heard this welcome letter read, and several of them em- 

 braced me in their arms as if I had been the sole cause of it. Their doubts were now 

 at an end ; it was certain that they should see the King of France, which, they said, 

 "would be far more satisfactory and a greater honor than to have seen the Queen of 

 England." Whatever the poor fellows thought, such was their mode of exultation. 

 "The Ojibbeways," they said, "were subjects of the Queen, but we will be subjects of 

 Louis Philippe." 



They had yet a few days to prepare, and even without their drives or company they 

 were contented, as the time passed away, and they were preparing for the interview. 

 On the morning of the day for their reception the long stem of a beautiful pipe had been 

 painted a bright blue and ornamented with blue ribbons, emblematical of peace, to 

 be presented by the chief to the King. Every article of dress and ornament had been 

 j)ut in readiness, and, as the hour approached, each one came out from his toilet in a 

 full blaze of color of various tints, all with their wampum and medals on, with their 



