While in Washington I was favored with several gratifying testimonials. The first one was at the great National Carnival, where I received the prize for the best four-in-hand turn-out, a gold-mounted whip. The second testimonial was a life-size portrait of President Grant, which was presented to me at one of the gatherings of the society attending the Metropolitan Memorial Church, and was accompanied in its presentation by the following address by Rev. J. P. Newman, D. D., the eloquent and distinguished pastor of the church:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Mine is a pleasing task. The ladies of this church desire me to present this elegant portrait of our honored President to Prof. Pratt, whose public spirit and great liberality prompted him to give the proceeds of his academy for one week towards the purchase of a chime of bells for this church. We much regret that sickness has detained the Professor from being present on this occasion, but we are happy to know that Mrs. Pratt is here.[1] The donation on his part is the more commendable because he came here a stranger, yet such is his appreciation of the beautiful and useful that he cheerfully gives his large sum for an object which will be, when achieved, the pride of the Capital.
His mission is eminently humane, for he not only educates the horse to obey the intelligence of his master, but also educates the master to treat the noblest of beasts with humanity.
[1] Her many friends will doubtless be gratified by finding, on the opposite page, a portrait of this lady—the life-long companion of the author.
The address, which was received with loud applause, was, in my absence, responded to by the Member of Congress from Batavia.
The third testimonial I received was presented on the day of closing my lectures, which had been so regularly attended by the citizens, officials, and members of the foreign legations, who deemed it proper to encourage my enterprise by presenting me with a diploma, engrossed on parchment, over their own signatures, and which was accompanied with a gold medal. The following is a copy of the diploma presented by the Washington class, the original of which is now in my possession, on parchment: