A CENTURY OF ZOOLOGY IN INDIANA. 191 



abruptly said to me, in French, 'My dear Audubon, what induces you to sub- 

 scribe to this work. Your drawings are certainly far better; and again, 

 you must know as much of the habiis of American birds as this gentleman.' 

 Whether Mr. Wilson understood French or not, or if the suddenness with 

 which I paused, disappointed him, I cannot tell; but I clearly perceived that 

 he was not pleased. Vanity and the encomiums of my friend prevented me 

 from subscribing. Mr. Wilson asked me if I had many drawings of birds. 

 I rose, took down a large portfolio, laid it on the table, and showed him, — ■ 

 as I would show you kind reader, or any other person fond of such subjects, — 

 the whole of the contents, with the same patience with which he had shown 

 me his own engravings. His surprise appeared great, as he told me he never 

 had the most distant idea that any other individual than himself had been 

 engaged in forming such a collection. He asked me if it was my intention 

 to publish, and when I answered in the negative, his surprise seemed to in- 

 crease. And, truly, such was not my intention; for, until long after, when 

 I met the Prince of Musignano in Philadelphia, I had not the least idea of 

 presenting the fruits of my labors to the world. Mr. Wilson now examined 

 my drawings with care, asked if I should have any objections to lending him 

 a few during his stay, to which I replied that I had none. He then bade me 

 goodmorning, not, however, until I had made an arrangement to explore the 

 woods in the vicinity along with him, and had promised to procure for him 

 some birds, of which I had drawings in my collection, but which he had never 

 seen. It happened that he lodged in the same house with us, but his retired 

 habits, I thought, exhibited either a strong feeling of discontent or a decided 

 melancholy. The Scotch airs which he played sweetly on his flute made me 

 melancholy too, and I felt for him. I presented him to my wife and friends, 

 and seeing that he was all enthusiasm exerted myself as much as was in my 

 power to procure for him the specimens which he wanted. We hunted to- 

 gether, and obtained birds which he had never before seen; but, reader, I 

 I did not subscribe to his' work, for, even at that time, my collection was 

 greater than liis. Thinking that perhaps he might be pleased to publish 

 the results of my researches, I offered them to him, merely on condition that 

 what I had drawn, or might afterwards draw and send to him, should be 

 mentioned in his work as coming from my pencil. I at the same time offered 

 to open a correspondence with him, which I thought might prove beneficial 

 to us both. He made no reply to either proposal, and before many days had 

 elapsed, left Louisville, on his way to New Orleans, little knowing how much 

 his talents were appreciated in our little town, at least by myself and my 

 friends. 



"Some time elapsed, during which I never heard of him, or his work. At 

 length, having occasion to go to Philadelphia, I, immediately after my arrival 

 there, inquired for him, and paid him a visit. He was then drawing a white- 

 headed eagle. He received me with civility, and took me to the exhibition 

 rooms of Rembrandt Peale, the artist, who had then protrayed Napoleon 



