THE STRATFORD NATURALIST. 345 



He was, liovvever, deeply interested in tlie sculpture and 

 paintings in the public buildings and in the relics exhibited in 

 the churches and religious houses. 



During his stay in France he journeyed first to Chalons in 

 Champagne, in May, 1720 ; and on foot to Orleans and Blois, in 

 disguise with a view to escape the beggars who often assaulted 

 travellers. He did not know, however, that an edict had just 

 been issued for the arrest of vagrants, in order to transport them 

 to America, as the banks of the Missisippi wanted population, 

 and Mr. Edwards narrowly escaped a western voyage. 



On his return to England he closely pursued his favourite 

 study, applying himself to drawing and colouring such subjects 

 of natural history as came under his notice. 



He gave strict attention in the first instance to natural, 

 rather than picturesque beauty, devoting himself more par- 

 ticularly to the study of birds, and having purchased some of 

 the best pictures of these objects, he commenced to make a few 

 drawings of his own, which were admired by his supporters, who 

 encouraged the young naturalist to proceed, by paying a good 

 price for his early efforts. 



Among his first patrons and benefactors may be mentioned 

 James Theobalds, Esq., F.R.S., a gentleman zealous for the 

 promotion of science. Our artist, thus unexpectedly encouraged, 

 ncreased in skill and assiduity, and procured, by his appHcation 

 to his favourite pursuit, a decent subsistence and a large circle of 

 acquaintances. 



In company w^ith two of his relations in 1731 he made 

 an excursion to Holland and Brabant, where he collected 

 several scarce books and prkits, and had an opportunity of 

 inspecting original pictures by several great masters at Antwerp, 

 Brussels, Utrecht, and other cities. 



In December, 1733, upon the recommendation of Sir Hans 

 Sloane, Bart., President of the Royal College of Physicians, 

 Edwards was chosen Librarian of that Institution, and had 

 apartments allotted to him in the College. This office was 

 peculiarly agreeable to his taste and inclination. It afforded 

 constant access to a valuable library, filled with scarce and 

 curious books on the subjects of Natural History, which he so 

 diligently studied that by degrees he became one ot the most 

 eminent Ornithologists of his period. 



