As stated in the note to the portrait of Lincoln which makes the
frontispiece of this number of the MAGAZINE, the late J. Henry Brown,
who went to Springfield, Illinois, in 1860, and painted a miniature
of Mr. Lincoln on ivory, left at his death a manuscript journal
which contains interesting entries regarding Mr. Brown's sojourn in
Springfield and his acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. We print
herewith this part of the journal entire:
1860. AUGUST, _Continued_.
Spring- Illinois. 12. Sunday. Arrived here at three o'clock
field this morning. Wrote some letters.
" " 13. Called at Mr. Lincoln's house to see him. As
he was not in, I was directed to the Executive
Chamber, in the State Capitol. I found him
there. Handed him my letters from Judge Read.
He at once consented to sit for his picture.
We walked together from the Executive Chamber
to a daguerrean establishment. I had a half
dozen of ambrotypes taken of him before I
could get one to suit me. I was at once most
favorably impressed with Mr. Lincoln. In the
afternoon I unpacked my painting materials.
" " 14. Commenced Mr. Lincoln's picture; at it all day.
" " 15. At Mr. Lincoln's picture.
" " 16. Mr. Lincoln gave me his first sitting, in the
library room of the State Capitol. Called
to see Mrs. Lincoln; much pleased with her.
Wrote five letters.
" " 17, 18. At Mr. Lincoln's picture. Received an
invitation from Mrs. Lincoln to take tea with
them.
" " 19. Sunday. Wrote letters.
" " 20. Mr. Lincoln's second sitting. Have arranged to
have his sittings in the Representative
Chamber.
" " 21. At Mr. Lincoln's picture. Heard from home; all
well.
" " 22. Mr. Lincoln's third sitting.
" " 23. At Mr. Lincoln's picture.
" " 24. Mr. Lincoln's fourth sitting.
" " 25. Mr. Lincoln's fifth and last sitting. The
picture gives great satisfaction; Mrs. Lincoln
speaks of it in the most extravagant terms of
approbation.
" " 26. Sunday. At church. Saw Mr. Lincoln there. I
hardly know how to express the strength of my
personal regard for Mr. Lincoln. I never saw a
man for whom I so soon formed an attachment. I
like him much, and agree with him in all things
but his politics. He is kind and very sociable;
immensely popular among the people of
Springfield; even those opposed to him in
politics speak of him in unqualified terms of
praise. He is fifty-one years old, six feet
four inches high, and weighs one hundred and
sixty pounds. There are so many hard lines in
his face that it becomes a mask to the inner
man. His true character only shines out when
in an animated conversation, or when telling an
amusing tale, of which he is very fond. He is
said to be a homely man; I do not think so.
Mrs. Lincoln is a very fine-looking woman,
apparently in excellent health, and seems to be
about forty or forty-five years of age.
" " 27. The people of Springfield who have seen Mr.
Lincoln's picture speak of it in strong terms
of approbation, declaring it to be the best
that has yet been taken of him. Received a
letter from Mr. Lincoln indorsing the picture;
also one from Mrs. Lincoln expressing her
unqualified satisfaction with it; also one
from Mr. John G. Nicolay, Mr. Lincoln's
confidential clerk; and one from the man who
took the ambrotype. This would be, I suppose,
the proper place to say a word about
Springfield, the prairie city, as it is
sometimes called. It is a very pretty place;
the streets eighty feet wide. It contains many
very fine buildings, and has a population of
about ten thousand.