[_From the Washington Sunday Herald._]
WASHINGTON, _March 31, 1867_.
A great picture has been designed of the "Last Hours of Abraham
Lincoln." The designer is Mr. John B. Bachelder, the painter Alonzo
Chappel. * * The value of such a picture of such a scene is enormous,
and of a kind to ever increase with time. * * Looking like himself, from
his finger-nails to his hard, protruding lip, Stanton, with paper and
pencil in hand, and uplifted forefinger, is giving instructions to the
soldierly General Auger, the then Military Commander of the District.
* * Portraits so minutely like I have never seen, even from the brush of
Elliot. * * *
The grandeur in the face of Lincoln, is grand indeed. The cold hues of
death are warmed to the eye by the red rays of a candle held over him,
and the flickering flare causing a Rembrandt-like effect, is very
felicitously managed. The eye rests in love and pity on it, turning from
those around impatiently. * * *
McCulloch who turns from the scene, and Johnson who sits in the left
foreground, are wonderfully like. As is the erect Dennison beyond them;
and Meigs, with his hand resting on the door-post, where he stood to
prevent disturbing entrances; Dr. Stone and Surgeon-General Barnes,
General Todd, Judge Otto, Sumner, Farnsworth, Speaker Colfax, and
Governor Oglesby, are looking down on the face of Lincoln with an
expression of respectful concern. * * * Judge Cartter and Ex-Governor
Farwell stand in front of Meigs, forming the right foreground of the
picture; they are given in profile and seem conversing.
The greatness of the picture lies in its correct transcription of an
actual scene and perfect portraiture of American men. It is just such a
work as, above all others, should be American property, for if ever
there was a _National_ picture, this is one.