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to London, and following the example of Wilson in America, exhibited there the engravings of his work. This measure, to which he was greatly disinclined, he resolved to take from the conviction of its expediency, as it promised a more immediate recognition than he could otherwise obtain. In his crowded reception-room he listened to the varied remarks of his visitors, and was recompensed for the sacrifice of his feelings by the numerous subscriptions thus received. In Manchester he obtained upwards of twenty in one week, and had the good fortune to form there, moreover, several friendships which continued with him through life.

Through Chester, Birmingham, and classic Oxford he continued his tour, until, with alternating hope and fear, he approached the great metropolis of England. With mingled admiration and horror this citizen of the new world beheld its sharp contrast of wretchedness and magnificence—raising his eyes from squalid poverty and despairing crime to noble monuments and mansions of aristocratic pomp.

As the bearer of numerous introductions to European celebrities, from statesmen and others of distinction, in his own country, he had seemingly a good foundation on which to establish an intercourse favourable to his intentions. But the busy unceasing engrossment of London existence

subjected him to delay and disappointment. Wandering early and late, not a single one of those he sought could he find at home! Grad. ually, however, through different mediums, his aim was accomplished. An intimacy with Lord Stanley led to his acquaintance with others of the nobility. Soon he was elected member of the Linnæan and Zoological Societies, and before long artists, men of science, and professors, were among the list of his subscribers.

During 1828 he again visited Paris, where, investigating the many, objects of interest in the great museum, enjoying intercourse with the illustrious Cuvier and his enlightened guests, the time, pleasantly and profitably spent, passed quickly away. He returned to England for the winter, and in 1829 sailed once more for his native soil. Notwithstanding the gratifying reception he had met with in Europe, the kindly courtesy with which he had been welcomed, and the honours with which he had been distinguished, the charm of novelty and the excitement of gay scenes, “with indescribable pleasure," he tells us, "he watched the outspread wings of the first American wanderer which hovered over the waters, and joyfully leapt again upon the shores of the New World. Scouring the woods with a hunter's zeal he speedily traversed the middle

states, and at length reached his favourite Louisiana.

In 1830, Audubon, accompanied by his wife, visited New Orleans. Sauntering there one morning, he observed a gentlemen, whose singular appearance attracted his attention. Assuming to be another “odd fish” he determined to make his acquaintance.

The exterior of this original might reasonably account for the conclusion.

A huge straw-hat covered his head. The unusually broad frill of a shirt fluttered about his breast, and a very remarkable collar, which left his neck exposed negligently to the weather, fell over the top of his light green coat. The delicate hue of this garment harmonized well with the yellow of his glowing nankeens, and was brightened by a pink waistcoat, from the bosom of which, lurking amidst a bunch of the splendid magnolia flower, part of an alligator protruded, which seemed anxious to escape its gentle imprisonment in folds of the finest cambric.

In one of his hands the gentleman held a cage, plentifully furnished with nonpareils as richly plumed as himself—in the other sportively handled a silk umbrella, on which could be plainly read the words, “ stolen from I,” painted in large white characters.

With a conscious air, he strutted along, hum.

ming “My love is but a lassie yet," in such purely native fashion, that Audubon would gladly have pronounced him a true Scot, but for his unmistakably American tournure. This conviction excited his curiosity still more, till at length he was compelled to gratify it, by accosting the stranger with, “Pray, sir, will you allow me to examine the birds you have in that cage?” At this request the owner of them stopped, straightened his body, almost closed his left eye, spread his legs apart, and, with an irresistibly comic look, answered, “ Birds, sir, did you say birds ?" On the question being repeated, he continued, "What do you know about birds, sir?"

Sir," replied Audubon, I am a student of nature, and admire her works, from the crawling reptile you have in your bosom to the "human form divine.” “Ah!" replied he, "a—a—a naturalist, I suppose.” He then handed the cage, which Audubon inspected, and was about to take his departure, when the stranger requested that he would accompany him to his lodgings.

On arriving there, they entered a long room, where the most prominent objects were a number of pictures along the walls, a table covered with painting apparatus, and a large easel with a full length portait yet unfinished upon it. Each of the drawings told the touch of a superior artist. Audubon felt convinced it could be no

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other than his new companion, and complimented him accordingly. “Ay,” said he, “the world is pleased with my work, I wish I were so too; but time and industry are necessary, as well as talents to make a good painter. If you have leisure, and will stay awhile, I will show you how I paint, and will relate to you an incident of my life, which will prove to you how sadly situated an artist is sometimes.” On receiving an assent, he continued: “Sir, if you should ever paint, and paint portraits, you will often meet with difficulties. For instance, the brave commodore of whom this is the portrait," pointing to the picture occupying the easel before him," the brave commodore, though an excellent man at everything else, is the worst sitter I ever saw. The first morning that he came to me, he was in full uniform, and with a sword at his side. After a few minutes conversation, and when all was ready on my part, I bade him ascend this throne, place himself in an attitude which I contemplated, and assume an air becoming an officer of the navy.

“Well, he mounted, placed himself as I had desired, but merely looked at me as if I had been a block of stone. I waited a few minutes, when, observing no change in his countenance, I ran the chalk over the canvass to form a rough outline. This done, I looked up to his face again, and opened a conversation which I thought would