150 AUDUBON 



lighted. " God save the King " was the overture, and 

 every one rose uncovered. " Rob Roy " was represented 

 as if positively in the Highlands; the characters were nat- 

 ural, the scenery perfectly adapted, the dress and manners 

 quite true to the story. I may truthfully say that I saw a 

 good picture of the great outlaw, his Ellen, and the unre- 

 lenting Dougal. I would, were it possible, always see 

 " Rob Roy" in Edinburgh, " Le Tartuffe " in Paris, and 

 *' She Stoops to Conquer " in England. ** Rob Roy," as 

 exhibited in America, is a burlesque; we do not even 

 know how the hardy mountaineer of this rigid country 

 throws on his plaid, or wears his cap or his front piece, 

 beautifully made of several tails of the red deer; neither 

 can we render the shrill tone of the horn bugle that hangs 

 at his side, the merry bagpipe is wanted, also the scenery. 

 I would just as soon see "Le Tartuffe" in broken French, 

 by a strolling company, as to see " Rob Roy" again as I 

 have seen it in Kentucky. It is almost to be regretted 

 that each country does not keep to its own productions; 

 to do otherwise only leads to fill our minds with ideas far 

 different from the truth. I did not stay to see " Rosina; " 

 though I liked Miss Stephens pretty well, yet she is by no 

 means equal to Miss Foote. 



Edinburgh, October 28, 1826. To-day I have visited the 

 Royal Palace of Holyrood ; it is both interesting and curi- 

 ous, especially the chapel and the rooms where the present 

 King of France resided during his exile. I find Professor 

 Jameson is engaged with Mr. Selby^and others in a large 

 ornithological publication, and Mr, Ed. Roscoe has written, 

 suggesting that I try to connect myself with them; but my 

 independent spirit does not turn to the idea with any 

 pleasure, and I think if my work deserves the attention of 

 the public, it must stand on its own legs, not on the repu- 

 tation of men superior in education and literary acquire- 



1 Prideaux John Selby, English ornithologist, author of "British 

 Birds " and other works ; died 1S67. 



