PART I.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--We are proud to have the honor of appearing
before you with our series of unrivalled paintings. Inferior exhibitions
boast of the extent of their canvas: ours is literally endless. Like Mr.
BROOKS' TENNYSON (I beg pardon,--Mr. TENNYSON'S BROOK), it "runs on
forever." It embraces every variety of landscape, waterscape, and, in
the crowded halls of our large cities, a new patent fire-escape.

Everywhere we have met with unparalleled success. We have appeared
before the crowned heads of Europe, and the woolly heads of Charleston
and Savannah,--the verdict of praise is unanimous. Purchasing our oil
and varnish at wholesale prices, we defy competition. While we have
given orders to our artists to furnish the most brilliant colors and
gorgeous imagination that the market affords, there is nothing here
(except, perhaps, myself) to offend the most fastidious.

Our aim is high, but combined with a price that is unquestionably low;
we strive to elevate and instruct the people, at twenty-five cents a
head (or packages of five tickets for one dollar), and inspire a love
for the pure and beautiful in art, with a liberal discount to Sunday and
day schools.

As the audience sit spell-bound (no extra charge for reserved seats)
before one grand conception of the artist's pencil,--lost in
admiration--another glides noiselessly into view; the eye is gratified,
the brain is refreshed, the digestion stimulated, and we all breathe
easier.