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164 



AUDUBON 



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worked steadily and from dawn to dark, a long time 

 here, — for sixteen days. It would be impossible forme 

 to write down all my leelings and thoughts about my 

 work, or my life here ; it may be that in time I shall be 

 reconciled or habituated to the life I now lead, but I can 

 scarce believe this, and often think the woods the only 

 place in which I truly live. 



November 25, 1820. I have been drawing all day at 

 some Wood Pigeons, as they are emphatically called here, 

 though woods there are none. The day was cold, wet, and 

 snowy. Mr. Lizars, however, called with Dr. Brewster,^ 

 an eminent and entertaining man. I received a note from 

 Geo. Combe, Esq., the phrenologist, who wishes to plaster 

 my poor head to take an impression of the bumps, ordi- 

 nary and extraordinary ; he also invited me to sup with 

 him on Monday next. I was to dine at Dr. Monroe's, Craig- 

 lockhart, near Slateford, so I dressed and sent for a coach 

 that took me two and a half miles for twelve shillings, and 

 I had to pay one shilling toll, — a dear dinner this. I 

 arrived and entered a house richly furnished, and was pre- 

 sented to three ladies, and four gentlemen. The ladies 

 were Mrs. Monroe, Miss Maria Monroe, and Mrs. Murray; 

 amongst the gentlemen I at once recognized the amiable 

 and learned Staff-Surgeon Lyons. Mrs. Monroe I found 

 a woman of most extraordinary powers, a brilliant conver- 

 sationalist, highly educated, and most attractive. She sat 

 by me, and entertained me most charmingly, and the rest 

 of her company as well. I need not say the dinner was 

 sumptuous, for I find no other kind in hospitable Edin- 

 burgh. After dinner we had music from Miss Monroe, a 

 skilled songstress, and her rich voice, with the pathetic 

 Scotch ballads which she sang so unaffectedly, brought 

 tears to my eyes. My return to my lodgings was very 

 cold, for snow lies all about the hills that surround this 

 enchanting city. 



1 David Brewster, author, scientist, and philosoplier, Edinburgh, 1781- 



