56
CRITICAL NOTICES.
Morning Post, London.
" Upwards of three hundred very well executed etchings from the paint-
ings, drawn by Mr. Catlin, adorn these volumes, and offer to the eye one
of the most complete museums of an almost unknown people that ever was
given to the public. The style of the narrative is diffuse, inartificial, and
abounding in Yankeeisms ; but it is earnest, honest, and unpretending ; and
contains most undoubted and varied information relative to the red savage
of America, fresh from the wilds, and unembittered by border hostility or
unfounded prejudice. These volumes are handsomely printed, and ' brought
out,' in all respects, with much care and taste."
Spectator, London. Five Columns.
" The illustrative plates of these volumes are numbering upwards of
three hundred subjects—landscapes, hunting scenes, Indian ceremonies,
and portraits form a remarkable feature, and possess a permanent interest
as graphic records. They are outline etchings from the author's paintings,
and are admirable for the distinct and lively manner in which the charac-
teristics of the scenes and persons are portrayed : what is called a style of
art would have been impertinent, and might have tended to falsify. Mr.
Catlin, in his homely, but spirited manner, seizes upon the most distin-
guishing points of his subjects by dint of understanding their value, and
every touch has significance and force : hence the number of details and
the extent of view embraced in these small and slight sketches, hence their
animation and reality."
Atlas, London. Three Notices, Twelve Columns.
" This publication may be regarded as the most valuable accession to the
history of the fast perishing races of the aboriginal world that has ever been
collected by a single individual. The descriptions it contains are minute
and full, and possess the advantage of being wonderfully tested by the long
experience of the writer, and verified by the concurrent testimonials of
many individuals intimately acquainted with the scenes and races delineated.
The engravings, which are liberal to an unprecedented extent, cannot be
too highly praised for their utility as illustrations. To the readers who
have never had an opportunity of visiting Mr. Catlin's gallery, these
engravings will form for them quite a museum of Indian curiosities in them-
selves ; while to those already familiar with the actual specimens, they will
serve as useful and agreeable souvenirs. But we chiefly approve and re-
commend this work to universal circulation for the sake of the pure and
noble philanthropy by which it is everywhere inspired. As the advocate
of the oppressed Indian, now vanishing before the white man on the soil of
his fathers, Mr. Catlin deserves the unmixed thanks of the Christian world.
His volumes are full of stimulants to benevolent exertion, and bear the
strongest testimony to the character of the races for whose preservation he
pleads."