1 68 Life of Auduhon. 



more scarce. I have just returned with friend Swainson 

 from Baron Cuvier's, who gives receptions to scientific 

 men every Saturday. My book was on the table, and 

 Cuvier received me with especial kindness, and put me 

 at ease. Mons. Condillot I found remarkably amiable, 

 and the company was much the same as on last Saturday. 

 I found much pleasure in conversation with Cuvier and 

 M. de Condillot. The former wilHngly assented to sit to 

 Mr. Parker for his portrait, and the other told me if I 

 visited Italy I must make his house my home. My work 

 was examined, and Cuvier pronounced it the finest in 

 existence of the kind. As we attempted to make our 

 escape, Cuvier noticed us, ran and took us by the hand, 

 and wished us to return ; but we had a long and dark 

 walk before us, and on that ground excused ourselves. 



^^ September 1^. France is poor indeed ! This day I 

 have attended the Royal Academy of Sciences, and had 

 my plates examined by about one hundred persons. 

 ' Fine, very fine !' issued from many mouths ; but they 

 said also, ^ What a work ! what a price ! who can pay it ?' 

 I recollected that I had thirty subscribers at Manches- 

 ter, and mentioned it. They stared, and seemed sur- 

 prised ; but acknowledged that England, the little island 

 of England, alone was able to support poor Audubon. 

 Some went so far as to say that, had I been here 

 four months ago, I should not have had even the 

 Prince d'Essling for a subscriber. Poor France, thy 

 fine climate, rich vineyards, and the wishes of the learn- 

 ed avail nothing ; thou art a destitute beggar, and not 

 the powerful friend thou wert represented to me. Now 

 it is that I plainly see how happy, or lucky, it was 

 in me not to have come to France first ; for if I had, my 

 work now would not have had even a beginning. It 

 would have perished like a flower in October ; and I 

 should have returned to my woods, without the hope of 



