Ii8 



AUDUBON 



the times abused ever since my earliest recollections. I 

 saw to-day several members of the Gregg family. 



September 13y Wednesday. I have visited the Academy of 

 Sciences ; my time here was largely spoiled by one of those 

 busybodies who from time to time rise to the surface, — 

 a dealer in stuffed specimens, and there ends his history. 

 I wished him in Hanover, or Congo, or New Zealand, or 

 Bombay, or in a bomb-shell en route to eternity. Mr. Munro 

 left me to-day, and I removed from the hotel to the house 

 of a Mrs. Edge, in King Street, who keeps a circulating 

 library; here I have more quietness and a comfortable 

 parlor and bedroom. I engaged a man named Crookes, 

 well recommended, to attend as money receiver at tlie door 

 of my exhibition room. I pay him fifteen shillings per 

 week; he finds himself, and copies letters for me. Two 

 men came to the exhibition room and inquired if I wished 

 a band of music to entertain the visitors. I thanked them, 

 but do not consider it necessary in the company of so 

 many songsters. My pictures here must depend on their 

 real value ; in Liverpool I knew I was supported by my 

 particular friends. ... It is eleven o'clock, and I have 

 just returned from Consul Brookes' dinner. The company 

 were all gentlemen, among whom were Mr. Lloyd, the 

 wealthy banker, and Mr. Garnet. Our host is from Boston, 

 a most intelligent and polite man. Judge of my surprise 

 when, during the third course, I saw on the table a dish of 

 Indian corn, purposely for me. To see me eat it buttered 

 and salted, held as if I intended gagging myself, was a 

 matter of much wonder to the English gentlemen, who 

 did not like the vegetable. We had an English dinner 

 Americanized, and the profusion of wines, and the quan- 

 tity drank was uncomfortable to me ; I was constantly 

 obliged to say, " No." The gentleman next me was a good 

 naturalist ; much, of course, was said about rny work and 

 that of Charles Bonaparte. The convc nation turned on 

 politics, and Mr. Brookes and myself, the only Americans 



