JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS" (1872)

IN JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872) A DIAPHANOUSLY AND

PRECARIOUS CLAD AMERICA FLOATS WESTWARD THRU THE AIR WITH THE

"STAR OF EMPIRE" ON HER FOREHEAD. SHE HAS LEFT THE CITIES OF THE

EAST BEHIND, AND THE WIDE MISSISSIPPI, AND STILL HER COURSE IS

WESTWARD. IN HER RIGHT HAND SHE CARRIES A SCHOOL BOOK--

TESTIMONIAL OF THE NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, WHILE WITH HER LEFT

SHE TRAILS THE SLENDER WIRES OF THE TELEGRAPH THAT WILL BIND THE

NATION. FLEEING HER APPROACH ARE INDIANS, BUFFALO, WILD HORSES,

BEARS, AND OTHER GAME, DISAPPEARING INTO THE STORM AND WAVES OF

THE PACIFIC COAST. THEY FLEE THE WONDEROUS VISION--THE STAR "IS

TOO MUCH FOR THEM."--PRECIS OF A CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION OF THIS

PAINTING BY GEORGE CROFUTT WHO DISTRIBUTRED HIS ENGRAVING OF IT

WIDELY.