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EPISODES 



201 



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the celebrated author of the " American Ornithology," of 

 whose existence I had never until that moment been ap- 

 prised. This happened in March, i8io. How well do I 

 remember him, as he walked up to me ! His long, rather 

 hooked nose, the keenness of his eyes, and his prominent 

 cheek bones, stamped his countenance with a peculiar 

 character. His dress, too, was of a kind not usually seen 

 in that part of the country, — a short coat, trousers, and a 

 waistcoat of gray cloth. His stature was not above the 

 middle size. He had two volumes under his arm, and as 

 he approached the table at which I was working, I thought 

 I discovered something like astonishment in his counte- 

 nance. He, however, immediately proceeded to disclose 

 the object of his visit, which was to procure subscriptions 

 for his work. He opened his books, explained the nature 

 of his occupations, and requested my patronage. 



I felt surprised and gratified at the sight of his volumes, 

 turned over a few of the plates, and had already taken a 

 pen to write my name in his favor, when my partner, rather 

 abruptly, said to me in French, " My dear Audubon, what 

 induces you to subscribe to this work? Your drawings 

 are certainly far better, and again, you must know as 

 much of the habits of American birds as this gentlemen." 

 Whether Mr. Wilson understood French or not, or if the 

 suddenness with which I paused disappointed him, I can- 

 not tell ; but I clearly perceived he was not pleased. Van- 

 ity and the encomiums of my friend prevented me from 

 subscribing. Mr. Wilson asked me if I had many draw- 

 ings of birds. I rose, took down a large portfolio, laid it 

 on the table, and showed him, as I would show you, kind 

 reader, or any other person fond of such subjects, the 

 whole of the contents, with the same patience with which 

 he had shown me his own engravirigs. 



His surprise appeared great, as he told me he never had 

 the most distant idea that any other individual than him- 

 self had been engaged in forming such a collection. He 







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