I 74 Stone, Some Philadelphia Collections and Collectors. | amU 



In 1846 the collection attracted the interest of a man who, as 

 a patron of ornithology, did more to advance the science in 

 America than any other individual, but who, owing to his extreme 

 modesty and aversion to publishing the results of his researches 

 is very little known to-day outside of the Academy. This was 

 Thomas B. Wilson, a wealthy member of the institution and 

 afterwards its President. By his great liberality the Academy's 

 collections in many departments were largely increased, and the 

 library was rendered as complete as it was possible to make it. 

 It was in ornithology, however, that he became especially inter- 

 ested. Through the agency of his brother, Edward Wilson, 

 residing in London, he entered into negotiations with a promi- 

 nent taxidermist of that city to furnish him with birds in lots of 

 100 at so much a piece, the price to vary with each lot in 

 accordance with the rarity of the species. 



Before closing the bargain, however, he asked the advice of 

 Dr. J. E. Gray of the British Museum and was strongly recom- 

 mended to purchase some large collection entire as a much more 

 economical investment. Dr. Gray further suggested the collec- 

 tion of Victor Massena, Due di Rivoli and Prince d'Esling, 

 which was then in the market, and finally agreed to do his best 

 to negotiate the purchase, as he was at that time about to visit 

 Paris. His results are best told in his own words : 



"On my arrival in Paris, I put up at Meurice's, and at once sent 

 a messenger with a note to the Prince Massena, saying that I 

 was willing to purchase the collection of birds at the rate of 

 four francs per specimen, and that I was prepared to pay for it 

 in ready money. While sitting at dinner at the table d'hote, an 

 aide-de-camp came in, all green and gold, with a cocked hat and 

 a large white feather, to inquire for me, with a message from the 

 Prince to inquire what I intended by ready money, and, when I 

 explained, to inquire if I was ready to pay the sum (50,000 

 francs) that evening. I said no, that I had only just arrived in 

 Paris and had not delivered my letter of credit to the banker, but 

 I would be ready to pay as soon as the bank opened the next 

 morning. He said the bank opened early, and would I come to 

 the prince at seven o'clock ? to which I assented. I immedi- 

 ately sent my letter of credit to Messrs. Green, and mentioned 



