There were among the number about thirty engravings, and a much larger proportion of water-colour drawings; about seventy had the P.A.
(Pensylvanian Academician) annexed to the name of the artist.
The principal historical composition was a large scripture piece by Mr.Washington Alston.

This gentleman is spoken of as an artist of great merit, and I was told that his manner was much improved since this picture was painted, (it bears date, 1813).
I believe it was for this picture Mr.Alston received a prize at the British Gallery.
There was a portrait of a lady, which, in the catalogue, is designated as "the White Plume," which had the reputation of being the most admired in the collection, and the artist, Mr.
Ingham, is said to rank highest among the portrait-painters of America.

This picture is of very high finish, particularly the drapery, which is most elaborately worked, even to the pile of the velvet; the management of the light is much in the manner of Good; but the drawing is very defective, and the contour, though the face is a lovely one, hard and unfleshy.

From all the conversations on painting, which I listened to in America, I found that the finish of drapery was considered as the highest excellence, and next to this, the resemblance in a portrait; I do not remember ever to have heard the words _drawing_ or _composition_ used in any conversation on the subject.
One of the rooms of this academy has inscribed over its door, ANTIQUE STATUE GALLERY The door was open, but just within it was a screen, which prevented any objects in the room being seen from without.

Upon my pausing to read this inscription, an old woman who appeared to officiate as guardian of the gallery, hustled up, and addressing me with an air of much mystery, said, "Now, ma'am, now; this is just the time for you--nobody can see you--make haste." I stared at her with unfeigned surprise, and disengaging my arm, which she had taken apparently to hasten my movements, I very gravely asked her meaning.
"Only, ma'am, that ladies like to go into that room by themselves, when there be no gentlemen watching them." On entering this mysterious apartment, the first thing I remarked, was written paper, deprecating the disgusting depravity which had led some of the visitors to mark and deface the casts in a most indecent and shameless manner.