I have no wish to be remembered as a painter, for I never was a painter.

My ideal of that profession was, perhaps, too exalted--I may say is too exalted.

I leave it to others more worthy to fill the niches of art." Of course his self-condemnation was too severe, for we have seen that present-day critics assign him an honorable place in the annals of art, and while, at the time of writing that letter, he had definitely abandoned the brush, he continued to paint for some years after his rejection by the committee of Congress.

He had to, for it was his only means of earning a livelihood, but the old enthusiasm was gone never to return.

Fortunately for himself and for the world, however, he transferred it to the perfecting of his invention, and devoted all the time he could steal from the daily routine of his duties to that end.
His friends sympathized with him most heartily and were indignant at his rejection.