THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



103 



looking at a few only, the great man said heartily: " Mr. 

 Audubon, I am filled with surprise and admiration." On 

 bidding me adieu he invited me to dine with him to-mor- 

 row, and to visit the Botanical Gardens. Later Mrs. Rath- 

 bone showed me some of her drawings, where talent has 

 put an undeniable stamp on each touch. 



July 27. I reached Mr. Roscoe's place, about one and 

 a half miles distant from Liverpool, about three o'clock, 

 and was at once shown into a little drawing-room where all 

 was nature. Mr. Roscoe was drawing a very handsome 

 plant most beautifully. The room was ornamented with 

 many flowers, receiving from his hands the care and treat- 

 ment they required; they were principally exotics from 

 many distant and different climes. His three daughters 

 were introduced to me, and we then started for the Gar- 

 dens. Mr. Roscoe and I rode there in what he called his 

 little car, drawn by a pony so small that I was amazed to 

 see it pull us both with apparent ease. Mr. Roscoe is a 

 come-at-able person, who makes me feel at home immedi- 

 ately, and we have much in common. I was shown the 

 whole of the Gardens, which with the hot-house were in 

 fine order. The ground is level, well laid out, and beauti- 

 fully kept ; but the season was, so Mr. Roscoe said, a little 

 advanced for me to see the place to the best advantage. 

 On our return to the charming laboratoire of Mr. Roscoe 

 the large portfolio is again in sight. I will not weary you 

 with the details of this. One of the daughters draws well, 

 and I saw her look closely at me very often, and she finally 

 made known her wish to take a sketch of my head, to 

 which I gave reluctant consent for some future time. Mr. 

 Roscoe is very anxious I should do well, and says he will 

 try to introduce me to Lord Stanley, and assured me noth- 

 ing should be left undone to meet my wishes ; he told me 

 that the honorable gentleman " is rather shy." It was nine 

 o'clock when I said good-night, leaving my drawings with 

 him at his request. On my return to Dale Street I found 



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