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THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



157 



November 3, Friday. My birds were visited by many 

 persons this day, among whom were some ladies, artists, 

 of both ability and taste, and with the numerous gentle- 

 men came Professor James Wilson,^ a naturalist, an agree- 

 able man, who invited nie to dine at his cottage next 

 week. Mr, Lizars, who is certainly mon ton cheval de 

 bataille, is exerting himself greatly in my behalf. At half- 

 past three good Mr, Neill ',ame, and together we walked 

 towards his little hermitage, a sweet spot, quite out of 

 town; nice garden, hot-house filled with exotics, and 

 house-walls peopled by thousands of sparrows secure in 

 the luxuriant masses of ivy that only here and there suffer 

 the eye to see that the habitat is of stone. The Heron's 

 sharp lance lay on his downy breast while he balanced 

 on one leg, silent and motionless ; the Kittiwake Gull 

 screamed for food ; the Cormorant greedily swallowed it; 

 whilst the waddling Gannet welcomed her master by 

 biting his foot, the little Bantams and the great rooster 

 leaped for the bread held out, the faithful Pigeon cooed 

 to his timid mate, and the huge watch-dog rubbed 

 against the owner's legs with joy. We entered the house, 

 other guests were there, and full of gayety we sat down to 

 a sumptuous dinner. Eyes sparkled with wit, sense, 

 knowledge. Mr. Combe ^ who was present has a head 

 quite like our Henry Clay. My neighbor, Mr. Bridges, ^ is 

 all life ; but after a few observations concerning the birds 

 of our woods he retired to let the world know that many 

 of them are arrived in Scotland. It is unanimously agreed 

 that I must sit for my portrait to Mr. Syme,* and that 

 friend Lizars must engrave it to be distributed abroad. 

 On my return to my lodgings I was presented with some 



^ James Wilson, brother of Professor John Wilson (Christopher North), 

 naturalist and scientific writer, 1795-1856. 



' George Combe, an eminent phrenologist and author on that subject. 

 Bom and died in Edinburgh, 1788-1856. 



' David Bridges, editor of one of the Edinburgh newspapers. 



* John Syme. His portrait of Audubon was the first one ever engraved 



