76 Life of Auduhon, 



He suggested that he might assist the artist in filling-in 

 backgrounds, and was requested to come back. 



"I went back again," writes the naturahst, "but 

 found Mr. Jarvis had no use for me : he appeared in fact 

 to fear my rivalry. Meeting a friend, I was taken to the 

 counting-house of Mr. Pamar, where I was asked what I 

 would take the portraits of three children for. I an- 

 swered. One hundred dollars ; but various delays oc- 

 curred which prevented me from entering upon this en- 

 gagement. I wished for the money to send home to my 

 wife and children. 



^^ January 14. Visited the levees, and found them 

 crowded with promenaders of every hue and nation. The 

 day was Sunday, and amusements were much indulged in. 

 Various quadroon balls held in the evening. Do not see 

 any good-looking or handsome women ; all have a citron 

 hue. Time passed sadly in seeking ineffectually for em- 

 ployment. I was fortunate in making a hit with the por- 

 trait of a well-known citizen of New Orleans. I showed 

 it to the public ; it made a favorable impression, and I 

 obtained several patrons. A few orders for portraits re- 

 lieved my necessities, and continuing my work of paint- 

 ing birds, the time passed more pleasantly. 



^^ February 5. Spent my time running after orders for 

 portraits, and also in vain endeavors to obtain a sight of 

 Alexander Wilson's * Ornithology,' but was unsuccessful 

 in seeing the book, which is very high priced. Obtained 

 some new birds and made copies. 



'■^ March 12. Of late have been unable to make many 

 entries in my journal. Near our lodgings, on the south 

 angle of a neighboring chimney-top, a mocking bird reg- 

 ularly resorts, and pleases us with the sweetest notes 

 from the rising of the moon until about midnight, and 

 every morning from about eight o'clock until eleven, 

 when he flies away to the Convent gardens to feed. I 



