Biographical Memoir 25 



many of the celebrated pictures within reach of 

 which they now found themselves. At this time 

 John confined himself almost wholly to copying 

 portraits, principally those of Sir Thomas Law- 

 rence, whose friendship was most valuable to him, 

 of Van Dyke and Murillo, and, when in Edin- 

 burgh, giving great attention to the beautiful work 

 of Sir Henry Raeburn. Some of these early pic- 

 tures are still in the possession of the family, 

 though many were sold and many given away. 

 He also painted some water colors of birds, which 

 are said to be good work by those who know them. 



This period of study was broken, however, by a 

 trip to the continent taken by the brothers together. 

 The route followed was the one then called ''The 

 Grand Tour," extending as far as Italy. The 

 brothers, always most closely united, congenial in 

 thoughts and tastes, thoroughly enjoyed the novel 

 scenes and experiences, for which they were well 

 fitted both physically and mentally. They were tall, 

 handsome young men, full of health and strength, 

 and the joyousness of youth. The careful prepara- 

 tion in the reading of books of travel and literature, 

 and the fact that they were excellent French schol- 

 ars, added greatly to the interest of the journey. 



But busier days than these were in store, when 

 the Audubons returned to America, and the collec- 

 tion of new species demanded the attention of the 

 naturalist, and the assistance of his sons. Victor 



