272 AUDUBON 



December 13. I went this evening to hear the Tyrolese 

 Singers, three brothers and their sister. They were all 

 dressed in the costume of their country, but when they 

 sang I saw no more ; I know not how to express my feel- 

 ings. I was in an instant transported into some wild glen 

 from which arose high mountain crags, which threw back 

 the melodious echoes. The wild, clear, harmonious music 

 so entered into my being that for a time I was not sure 

 that what I heard was a reality. Imagine the warbling of 

 strong-throated Thrushes, united with the bugle-horn, a 

 flute, and a hautboy, in full unison. I could have listened 

 all night. 



December 1, 1827. By the advice of our consul, Mr. 

 Maury, I have presented a copy of my work to the Presi- 

 dent of the United States, and another to the House of 

 Congress through Henry Clay. 



December 16, Sunday. I went to the service at my favor- 

 ite church, the one at the Blind Asylum; the anthems 

 were so exquisitely sung that I felt, as all persons ought 

 to do when at church, full of fervent devotion. 



December 18. It was with great regret that I found my 

 friend Wm. Roscoe very unwell. This noble man has had 

 a paralytic attack ; his mind is fully sensible of the decay 

 of his body, and he meets this painful trial with patience 

 and almost contentment. This only can be the case 

 with those who in their past life have been upright 

 and virtuous. I finished drawing a little Wren for my 

 good friend Hannah, as well as artificial light would 

 allow. 



December 20. I have done nothing to-day; I have had 

 that sort of laziness that occasionally feeds upon my senses 

 unawares ; it is a kind of constitutional disease with me 

 from time to time, as if to give my body necessary rest, 

 and enable me to recommence with fresh vigor and alac- 

 rity whatever undertaking I have in hand. When it has 

 passed, however, I always reproach myself that I have lost 



