Do advise immediately so that I can send by the British Queen, which sails on the first prox." Fortunately Smith advised against a combination, and the matter was dropped.
It will not be necessary to dwell at length on the events of the year 1841.

The situation and aims of the inventor are best summed up in a beautiful and characteristic letter, written on February 14 of that year, to his cousin, the Reverend Edward S.Salisbury:-- "Your letter containing a draft for three hundred dollars I have received, for which accept my sincere thanks.

I have hesitated about receiving it because I had begun to despair of ever being able to touch the pencil again.

The blow I received from Congress, when the decision was made concerning the pictures for the Rotunda, has seriously and vitally affected my enthusiasm in my art.

When that event was announced to me I was tempted to yield up all in despair, but I roused myself to resist the temptation, and, determining still to fix my mind upon the work, cast about for the means of accomplishing it in such ways as my Heavenly Father should make plain.