_Vailima_, _Samoa_, _July_ 8, 1894.
MY DEAR ST. GAUDENS,—This is to tell you that the medallion has been at
last triumphantly transported up the hill and placed over my smoking-room
mantelpiece. It is considered by everybody a first-rate but flattering
portrait. We have it in a very good light, which brings out the artistic
merits of the god-like sculptor to great advantage. As for my own
opinion, I believe it to be a speaking likeness, and not flattered at
all; possibly a little the reverse. The verses (curse the rhyme) look
remarkably well.
Please do not longer delay, but send me an account for the expense of the
gilt letters. I was sorry indeed that they proved beyond the means of a
small farmer.—Yours very sincerely,