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158 



AUDUBON 



pears and apples of native growth, somewhat bigger than 

 green peas; but ah! this is both ungrateful and discour- 

 teous. To-morrow I am to meet Lord Somebody, and 

 Miss Stephens; she was called "that delicious actress" 

 so fervently and so frequently by my learned friends 

 that I reverse my judgment, or will at least suspend it, 

 until I see more of her. 



November 4, Saturday. Now had I the faculties of my 

 good friend Mr. Bridges, I should be able to write all that 

 I feel towards him and the good people of this romantic 

 Edina's Academic Halls ; I would set to, and write long 

 accounts of all I have enjoyed this day. But, alas ! poor 

 me ! I can only scratch a few words next to unintelligible, 

 and simply say that my little room has been full all day of 

 individuals good, great, and friendly, and I am very wearied 

 to-night; it is now past one. I dined at Mr. Lizars', where 

 were beauties, music, conviviality, and wit. I am working 

 hard withal ; I do with four hours' sleep, keep up a great 

 correspondence, keep up my journal, and write many hours 

 on the letter-press for my " Birds," which is almost done. 



November «?, Sunday. At ten o'clock my room was 

 filled with visitors. Friend Bridges came, and stayed a 

 long time. Miss Stephens the actress and her brother 

 also paid me a visit. Mr. Bridges insisted on my going 

 home to dine with him at four, and I never perceived I 

 was in my slippers till I reached the port of destination. 

 A Mr. Hovey dined with us. Mrs. Bridges is a stately, 

 handsome lady, and the diner en famille pleased me 

 exceedingly. I saw quite a stock of pictures and engrav- 

 ings, well selected by my knowing friend. I returned 

 home early and found a note from Mr. John Gregg, who 

 came himself later bringing me a scrubby letter from 

 Charles Waterton,^ and a sweet little sketch from fair Ellen 

 of Quarry Bank. I was delighted to see him ; it seemed 



1 Charles Waterton, English naturalist and traveller, 1782-1865, — al- 

 ways an enemy of Audubon's. 



