Her Gracious MAJESTY the QUEEN,
Louis Philippe, King of the French,
The Emperor of Russia,
The King of the Belgians,
H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge,
and many of the nobility of england.
The Emperor of Russia was at this time paying his visit to the Queen of England; and my dear wife and myself took the occasion of the grand pageant when the Emperor, with Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington, reviewed 10,000 troops at Windsor, to obtain a view of his Imperial Majesty, which we did during the review, and, still more to our satisfaction, after it was over, from behind the post of the gate opening into the great park, where we had stationed ourselves, and where his Imperial Majesty passed within reach of us. When the Emperor and suite had passed by, I suddenly perceived in the passing throng J. W. Webb, Esq., editor of the ‘New York Inquirer,’ and endeavoured, but unsuccessfully, to overtake him.
A few days after this, the Honourable Mr. Murray was kind enough to deliver to the Emperor the copy of my work subscribed for by his Majesty; and, in a few weeks after that, sent me the following very flattering communication:—
“Buckingham Palace, June 14th, 1844.
“Dear Sir,
“The Emperor of Russia, having inspected your Portfolio of Indian Hunting and other Scenes, was so much pleased with their spirit and execution, that he desired Count Orloff to send me a gold snuff-box, to be presented to you as a mark of his Majesty’s gratification derived from the efforts of your pencil.
“I acquit myself of this agreeable commission by sending you herewith a Russian box of gold and blue enamel, set in pearls, which will, I trust, prove to you a gratifying reminiscence of the Emperor’s visit to England.
“I am, my dear Sir,
“Very faithfully yours,
“C. A. MURRAY.
“To Geo. Catlin, Esq.”
This most gratifying testimony of the Emperor’s satisfaction with my work was unexpected by me; and future pages will show that I received evidences equally flattering from their Majesties the King of the French and the King of the Belgians.