64 JOHN JAMES ATJDUBON 

 and hat came to me instead of my going 

 to them. My heart trembled ; I longed 

 for the meeting, yet wished it over. 

 Had not his wondrous pen penetrated 

 my soul with the consciousness that here 

 was a genius from God's hand! I felt 

 overwhelmed at the thought of meeting 

 Sir Walter, the Great Unknown. We 

 reached the house, and a powdered 

 waiter was asked if Sir Walter were in. 

 We were shown forward at once, and 

 entering a very small room Captain Hall 

 said : ' Sir Walter, I have brought Mr. 

 Audubon.' Sir Walter came forward, 

 pressed my hand warmly, and said he 

 was ' glad to have the honour of meeting 

 me. 7 His long, loose, silvery locks 

 struck me ; he looked like Franklin at 

 his best. He also reminded me of Ben- 

 jamin West ; he had the great benevo- 

 lence of William Roscoe about him and 

 a kindness most prepossessing. I could 

 not forbear looking at him, my eyes 

 feasted on his countenance. I watched 



