S. S. MCCLURE, ESQ., _30 Lafayette Place, New York City_.
_Dear Mr. McClure_: I am in receipt of your picture of Lincoln. Having
seen Mr. Lincoln in the war time, I have not been so dependent upon
photographs and engravings as have most of the men of my generation
for an impression of Mr. Lincoln's personality. I can, however, say
that the present picture has distinctly helped me to understand the
relation between Mr. Lincoln's face and his mind and character, as
shown in his life's work. It is, far away, the most interesting
presentation of the man I have ever seen. To my eye it _explains_ Mr.
Lincoln far more than the most elaborate line-engraving which has been
produced.
Very truly yours,