It is of portraits especially that I write, and here Sharp is truly eminent. All he did was well done; but two are models,--that of Mr. Boulton, a strong, well-developed country gentleman, admirably executed, and of John Hunter, the eminent surgeon, after the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in the London College of Surgeons, unquestionably the foremost portrait in English Art, and the coëqual companion of the great portraits in the past; but here the engraver united his rare gifts with those of the painter. * * * * * In closing these sketches I would have it observed that this is no attempt to treat of engraving generally, or of prints in their mass or types. The present subject is simply Portraits, and I stop now just as we arrive at contemporary examples, abroad and at home, with the gentle genius of Mandel beginning to ascend the sky, and our own engravers appearing on the horizon. There is also a new and kindred art, infinite in value, where the Sun himself becomes artist, with works which mark an epoch. WASHINGTON, 11th Dec., 1871. * * * * * NOTE.--When Mr. Sumner began the publication of his Works in 1870, he engaged Mr. George Nichols, of Cambridge, to read the proofs editorially. This Mr. Nichols did, with great care and ability, until about ten days before his death, which occurred on the 6th of July, 1882. His work of supervision ended on p. 334 of this volume. EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW PROTECTED BY NATIONAL STATUTE. SPEECHES IN THE SENATE, ON HIS SUPPLEMENTARY CIVIL RIGHTS BILL, AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMNESTY BILL, JANUARY 15, 17, 31, FEBRUARY 5, AND MAY 21, 1872. Brave Theseus, they were MEN like all before, And human souls in human frames they bore, With you to take their parts in earthly feasts, With you to climb one heaven and sit immortal guests. STATIUS, _Thebaïd_, tr. Kennett, Lib. XI. * * * * * I was fully convinced, that, whatever difference there is between the Negro and European in the conformation of the nose and the color of the skin, there is none in the genuine sympathies and characteristic feelings of our common nature.--MUNGO PARK, _Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa_, (London, 1816,) Vol. I. p. 80, Ch. 6. * * * * *