THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS l6r 



might have partaken of it, this would have rendered each 

 moment an age of pleasure. I have now determined to 

 remain here till my first number is published, when I shall 

 go to Liverpool again, with proofs in hand. I will forward 

 some of this number to the friends at home as well as 

 abroad, and will continue painting here the while, and watch 

 the progress of the engravers and colorists ; two drawings 

 are now under the hand of the engraver, and God grant 

 me success. I am going to try to find time to spend 

 a week at Jardine Hall, and some days at Mrs. Fletcher's ; 

 it will remove me from the pressure and excitement to 

 which I am hourly subjected, and be a complete change 

 for me in every way. 



November 20. Whilst my breakfast was preparing, and 

 daylight improving, I sat at my little table to write a 

 notice of descriptive import about my painting of the 

 Wild Turkeys that now leaned against the wall of my 

 room, finished. My breakfast came in, but my pen car- 

 ried me along the Arkansas River, and so much did I long 

 for my beloved country that not a morsel could I swallow. 

 While writing, Mr. Bridges, who usually pays me a daily 

 visit, happened to come in. I read my description and told 

 him it was my intention to have it printed, or written out 

 in a clear hand, to lay on the table of the exhibition room, 

 for the use of the public. He advised me to go to Pro- 

 fessor Wilson for criticism ; so I went at once to his resi- 

 dence, and reached " Blackwood's " door about ten o'clock. 

 I did not even ask if Professor Wilson was in; no, I simply 

 told the man to say Mr. Audubon from America wished 

 to speak with him. In a moment I was conducted to a 

 room where I wished that all that had been written in it 

 was my own to remember, to enjoy, to profit by ; but I 

 had not been here many minutes before a sweet child, a 

 happy daughter of this great man, asked me to go up- 

 stairs, saying, " Papa will be there in a minute ; " and truly, 

 almost at once the Professor came in, with freedom and 



VOL. I. 11 



