
Last night was my first real attempt at the kind of splurge we have talked about.
Bust & photo exhibition; clay modeling and talk. I came off at the Presbyterian
Ch. before the Tuesday Club—I have met nowhere a
more intelligent company. There were some 200 present. I began by a ten minute
reading as a sort of "prayer" or prelude, & then turned to my clay & modeled & talked for a
half or three quarters of an hour, producing a tolerably good head of old John
Brown.
I was able to
keep up a continuous interest. Then I explained casting in plaster, & the
reproduction in marble. Then I drew some chalk pictures on blackboard, & gave
some reminiscinces of Emerson, yourself & Dr. Holmes. I had your photos there—& many others, with my busts
of Hicks, Sumner, Emerson, & my little
head of mother—We kept up the business till near ten o'clock. I guess it was a
success. At all events, the thanks were profuse and hearty. Several ministers were there & in
perfectly
good
humor. I now feel sure I can make this sort of thing all
over the country. But I want to reduce the bust exhibition business to a magic
lantern performance. It will not be so picturesque, but more convenient, & much
less expensive. It would cost like sin to tote several large busts about the
country. I wish I had photos of my big busts of you & of the statuette,
negatives small size fit for stereopticon. I must have
them some way. Next Sunday's Register will print my opening remarks & give a
account of the evening
I shall send you a copy.
I am worried about Harned. Horace just wrote me a word & sent the Posts two weeks ago, & that's all I've heard. I hope the affair has not been serious.
And I hope you are comfortable. I should like to stop in & see you all. I'm trying to get the Hicks bust plastered before sending. Will send it by 1st of next week. I rather wanted to make the most of it here, & so have delayed. What about the lecture for the Fidelity?
Kind regards to Mrs. D. Let her read this & Yours ever, Morse