l6o AUDUBON 



work ; all, apparently, admired it. I dined at many houses, 

 was always kindly received, and as far as my isolated 

 condition and unfortunate melancholy permitted, enjoyed 

 myself. It was settled by Mr. Lizars that he would under- 

 take the publication of the first number of the " Birds of 

 America," and that was enough to put all my powers 

 of acting and thinking at fever heat. The papers also 

 began to be more eulogistic of the merits of myself and 

 my productions, and I felt bewildered with alternate uncer- 

 tainties of hope and fear. I have received many letters 

 from my dear Liverpool friends, and one, most precious 

 of all, from the wonderful "Queen Bee" of Green Bank, 

 with a most beautiful seal of the Wild Turkey and the 

 motto " America, my country." ^ When my drawings 

 were exhibited to the public, professors, students, artists, 

 spoke well of them. I forwarded by post seventy-five 

 tickets to the principal persons who had been kind to me, 

 and to all the artists in Edinburgh. I sat once for my 

 portrait, but my picture kept me at home ever since. 

 I saw, and dined, and dined again with Sir William 

 Jardinc, and like him very much. He visited me fre- 

 quently, and sat and stood watching me painting during 

 his stay in the city. The famous phrenologist George 

 Combe visited me also; spoke much of the truth of 

 his theory as exhibited and verified by my poor skill; 

 begged I would allow a cast of my head to be taken, 

 etc., etc., and sent me a card of admission to his lectures 

 this winter. The famous Professor Wilson of " Blackwood " 

 fame, I might almost say the author of " Blackwood's 

 Magazine," visited me also, and was very friendly; indeed, 

 every one is kind, most truly so. How proud I feel that 

 in Edinburgh, the seat of learning, science, and solidity 

 of judgment, I am liked, and am received so kindly. How 

 much I wish my Lucy could also enjoy it, that our sons 



* This seal Audubon always used afterwards, and it is still in the posses- 

 sion of the family. 



