48 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



were young 1 again! I would go to America toe. 

 Hey ! what a country it will be, Mr Audubon.' I 

 retorted by exclaiming, < Hey ! what a country it is 

 already, Mr Bewick !" In the midst of our conver- 

 sation on birds and other animals, he drank my health 

 and the peace of all the world in hot brandy toddy, 

 and I returned the compliment, wishing, no doubt, 

 in accordance with his own sentiments, the health of 

 all our enemies. His daughters enjoyed the scene, 

 and remarked, that, for years, their father had not 

 been in such a flow of spirits. 



" I regret that I have not by me at present the 

 letter which this generous and worthy man gave me 

 that evening, otherwise, for his sake, I should have 

 presented you with it. It is in careful keeping, how- 

 ever, as a memorial of a man whose memory is dear 

 to me ; and be assured I regard it with quite as much 

 pleasure as a manuscript * Synopsis of the Birds of 

 America,' by Alexander Wilson, which this cele- 

 brated individual gave to me at Louisville in Ken- 

 tucky, more than twenty years ago. Bewick's let- 

 ter, however, will be presented to you along with 

 many others, in connection with some strange facts, 

 which I hope may be useful to the world. We pro- 

 tracted our conversation much beyond our usual time 

 of retiring to rest, and at his earnest request, and 



