JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 29 

 and again, you must know as much of 

 the habits of American birds as this gen- 

 tleman. > Whether Mr. Wilson under- 

 stood French or not, or if the suddenness 

 with which I paused disappointed him, 

 I cannot tell ; but I clearly perceived 

 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 per- 

 son fond of such subjects, the whole of 

 the contents, with the same patience, 

 with which he had showed me his own 

 engravings. His surprise appeared great, 

 as he told me he had never had the most 

 distant idea that any other individual 

 than himself had been engaged in form- 

 ing such a collection. He asked me if 

 it was my intention to publish, and when 

 I answered in the negative, his surprise 

 seemed to increase. And, truly, such 



