_Dear Sir_: Accept my thanks for the engraving of the earliest picture of Mr. Lincoln. I recognized it at once, though I never saw Mr. Lincoln, and know him only from photographs of him while he was President. I think you were fortunate in securing the daguerreotype from which this was engraved, and it will form a very interesting contribution to the literature connected with this remarkable man. From its resemblance to his later pictures I should judge the likeness must be an excellent one. Very truly yours, H.B. BROWN. * * * * * FROM MAJOR J.W. POWELL, of the United States Geological Survey. WASHINGTON, _October 24, 1895._ _My Dear McClure_: I am delighted with the proof of the portrait of Lincoln from a daguerreotype. His pictures have never quite pleased me, and I now know why. I remember Lincoln as I saw him when I was a boy; after he became a public man I saw him but few times. This portrait is Lincoln as I knew him best: his sad, dreamy eye, his pensive smile, his sad and delicate face, his pyramidal shoulders, are the characteristics which I best remember; and I can never think of him as wrinkled with care, so plainly shown in his later portraits. This is the Lincoln of Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, and Bloomington. Yours cordially, J.W. POWELL. * * * * * FROM MR. JOHN C. ROPES, author of "The First Napoleon" and "The Story of the Civil War." 99 MOUNT VERNON STREET, BOSTON, _October 24, 1895._ S. S. MCCLURE, ESQ. _My Dear Sir_: I thank you for the engraving of the daguerreotype portrait of Mr. Lincoln. It is assuredly a most interesting portrait. The expression, though serious and earnest, is devoid of the sadness which characterizes the later likenesses. There is an appearance of strength and self-confidence in this face, and an evident sense of humor. This picture is a great addition to our portraits of Mr. Lincoln. With renewed thanks, I am, Very truly yours, J. C. ROPES. * * * * * FROM WOODROW WILSON, Professor of Finance and Political Economy at Princeton. PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, _October 23, 1895._ MR. S. S. MCCLURE. _My Dear Mr. McClure_: I thank you very much for the portrait of Lincoln you were kind enough to send me, reproduced from an early daguerreotype. It seems to me both striking and singular. The fine brows and forehead, and the pensive sweetness of the clear eyes, give to the noble face a peculiar charm. There is in the expression the dreaminess of the familiar face without its later sadness. I shall treasure it as a notable picture. Very sincerely yours, WOODROW WILSON. * * * * * FROM C. R. MILLER, editor of the New York "Times." NEW YORK, _October 24, 1895._ S. S. MCCLURE, ESQ., _City_.