74G THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



tioos and theaters to tliis day use bis " war dance," "scalp dance," and 

 other views for advertisements, both in Europe and America. A new 

 work is announced on the Indians, with illustrations ; either Catlin pure 

 and simple in illustrations, or modified, can be found within its covers. 

 Thousands of stories have grown from his descriptions. It can be said 

 with justice that no other painter or writer on the l^Torth American In- 

 dian has had so broad and wide an iniiuence in the diffusion of knowl- 

 edge of the I^Torth American Indian as he has. 



SIR DAVID WILKIB'S OPINION OF MR. CATLIN'S ART. 



Mr. Catlin, at tlie dinner of the Eoyal Highland Society, in London, 

 ill 1841, sat by the side of a quiet gentleman on his right, who ventured 

 no observations during the early part of the evening. After Mr. Catlin 

 had responded to the toast given him, the Duke of Richmond, presiding, 

 rose and 



After tlie most chaste and eloquent eulogium upon his works and his character, 

 proposed the health of Sir David Wilkie, who, to my great surprise and unspeakable 

 satisfaction, I found was sitting by my side and the next to my elbow. His health 

 was drunk with great enthusiasm, and after he had responded to the compliment ho 

 begged to be allowed to express to his grace and the gentlemen present the very 

 great satisfaction he had felt in being able to join in the expression of thanks to so 

 distinguished a gentleman as Mr. Catlin, and whom it afforded him great pleasure to 

 find was by Ms side. He stated that he had been many times in my exhibition rooms, 

 but without the good luck to have met me there. He commented at great length 

 upon the importance and value of the collection; and while he was according to me 

 great credit for the boldness and originality of the designs, he took especial pains to 

 compliment me for the execution of tnj paintings, many of which, he said, as works 

 of art, justly entitled me to the hands of artists in this country (England), and he was 

 proud to begin by offering me his in good fellowship which he did, and raised me 

 from my seat as he said it. — Pages 6ft and 69, vol. 1, Catlin's Notes in Europe. 



OPINION OP AMERICAN ARTISTS, RESIDING IN PARIS IN 1846, OP THE 

 ART VALUE OP MR. CATLIN'S WORKS. 



MEMORIAL OF AMERICAN ARTISTS IN PARIS. 



To the lionorable tlie Spealcer and House of Eepresentatives of the United States : 



We, the undersigned artists, citizens of the United States now in Paris, beg leave 

 most respectfully to represent that, feeling a deep interest in the collection and pro- 

 tection of works of art, and particularly those illustrating the history of our country, 

 we are looking with some solicitude to the permanent destination of the noble collec- 

 tion of Indian portraits, costumes, &c., of Mr. Catlin, now in this city, where it has 

 been highly eulogized by the King (Louis Philippe) and the most distinguished ar- 

 tists and men of science ; and which, we understand, has been submitted by its au- 

 thor for the consideration of your honorable body during the present session of the 

 Congress of the United States. 



Having made ourselves fully acquainted with the extent and interest of this unique 

 collection, and of its peculiar interest to our country, and also aware of the encourag- 

 ing offers now made to its proprietor for its permanent establishment in England, as 

 well as the desire generally manifested here to have it added to the Historical Gal- 

 lery of Versailles, we have ventured to unite in the joint expression of our anxiety 

 that the members of the present Congress may pass some resolution that may be the 



