The Portland Gazette

MR. SHIRLEY--Notwithstanding the eulogiums bestowed on Mr. Dunlap's celebrated picture of Christ rejected by the High Priests and Elders in the Journals of Philadelphia and Boston, some of which I have seen; I was astonished on seeing this noble work of art on my first visit to Union Hall, the animation of the scene, the bustle of the crowd, and at the same time that clearness with which all the objects were presented to my view, so far exceeded my expectation, that for some time I could not collect myself sufficiently to examine the individual characters. When I had examined them, my pleasure increased as I look with admiration on the immensely varied expression of the meek and dignified Jesus, the bigoted and furious High Priest, the manly and astonished pro consul, the beautiful Magdalen the horrible Barrabas, and in short the hundreds of figures and faces, all varied and contrasted so as to keep me in a pleasant study for hours.

As a small return for the information and lasting delight afforded by the artist, I intreat the insertion of this crude offering of my gratitude.