600 APPENDIX. 



That gentleman (by having used the word "perhaps" in his 

 late communication) seems to doubt that I will allow his stuffed 

 peacock to be good enough for presentation to the Crystal 

 Palace. His " real principle of taxidermy " ought to have sug- 

 gested to him, that much time, very much time and labour, are to be 

 spent upon the legs and feet of large birds, especially in order to 

 make these parts retain their pristine form and beauty. 



On viewing the shrivelled legs and toes of Mr Dennis's peacock, 

 we feel dissatisfied ; and we are at a loss to determine whether in- 

 ability or neglect has been the cause of such a lamentable defor- 

 mity in his bird. When your reverend correspondent shall have 

 cleared up this little matter satisfactorily, I will then invade the 

 upper regions of his peacock. At present it were useless to inspect 

 the garret, when the foundation itself is seen to be defective. I 

 have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



CHARLES WATERTON. 

 WALTON HALL, September 27, 1851. 



Letter of the Rev. Mr Dennis to the Editor of the 

 Illustrated London News. 



Sir, If Mr Waterton's sally has not quite cut away my under- 

 standing, it at least aims at leaving poor " Pavo," like the squire in 

 the ballad, " in doleful dumps." I beg Mr Waterton's pardon ; the 

 pegs stand before the person of the bird. I have fallen inadver- 

 tently into the vain humour of the creature which is said to lament 

 the thickness of its timbers. I acknowledge my fault. Humanum 

 est errare. Even Waterton's " Wanderings " form no exception. My 

 adversary, I confess, has touched me on a weak point ; and no doubt, 

 his quick eye, upon the rule of setting a thief to catch one, has 

 found many more. If not, I can show him them, and gladly too, 

 for I never said that the bird was perfection, a copy at most. I 

 only asserted what I find Mr Waterton in no mind to deny, that the 

 appearance of the bird is a near approach to its peculiar character, 

 when its tail is spread, and that to copy nature in all her ways, is 



