_My Dear Mr. McClure_: The engraving you sent me of an authentic
picture of Abraham Lincoln is of very great interest and value. I wish
the date could be ascertained. The change from the Lincoln of this
portrait to the Lincoln of history is very marked, and shows a
remarkable development of character and expression. It must be very
early. The deep-set eyes and mouth belong to the historical Lincoln,
and are recognizable as his features when we know that this is a
portrait of him. But I confess that I should not have recognized the
likeness. I was familiar with his face as long ago as 1857, '58, '59.
I used often to see him in the United States Court room in Chicago,
and hear him, sitting with other lawyers, talk and tell stories. He
looked then essentially as he looked when I heard him open in Chicago
the great debate with Douglas, and when he was nominated. But the
change from the Lincoln of this picture to the Lincoln of national
fame is almost radical in character, and decidedly radical in
expression.
For the study of the man's development, I think this new old portrait
has a peculiar value.
Yours sincerely,