144 Life of Audubon, 



talents and manners, corresponds with all I have heard 

 in your favor ; and that I am a sincere believer in the 

 extent of your scientific attainments, though I have not 

 the knowledge necessary to form an accurate judgment on 

 the subject. I sincerely wish your travels may prove 

 agreeable, and remain, 



" * Very much your 



" * Obedient servant, 



^' ' Walter Scott.' 



"'Edinburgh, March 8.'" 



" Spent the evening at Miss O'Neill's, the actress. 

 Several ladies and gentlemen of musical ability were 

 present, and after tea Miss O'Neill arose and said she 

 would open the concert. She was beautifully dressed in 

 plain white muslin, her fine auburn hair hanging in flowing 

 ringlets about her neck and rose-colored scarf over her 

 shoulders, looking as differently from what she does on 

 the stage as can be imagined. She sang and played 

 sweetly, her large, dark languid eyes expressing the deep 

 emotions of her soul. She scarcely left off singing for a 

 moment, for as soon as one thing was finished some per- 

 son called for another, and she readily replied, * Oh, yes , 

 and glees, duets, and trios followed one another, filling 

 the room with her melodies. I thought at last that she 

 must be fatigued, and said so to her. But she replied, 

 ^ Mr. Audubon, music is like painting, it never fatigues if 

 one is fond of it, and I am.' We had an elegant supper, and 

 after that more music, and then more refreshments and 

 wine ; this gave new impulse to the song. Miss O'Neill 

 played, and called on the singers to accompany her. The 

 music travelled along the table, and sometimes leaped 

 across it ; gentlemen and ladies took turns, until, looking 

 at my watch, I found that it was past two o'clock, when I 

 arose, and in spite of many entreaties, shook hands with 

 Miss O'Neill, bowed to the company, and made my exit. 



