THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



175 



city. Not being able to recall where I was to dine, I was 

 guilty of what must seem great rudeness to my intended 

 hosts, and which is truly most careless on my part ; so I 

 went to Mr. Lizars, where I am always happy. The wild 

 Turkey-cock is to be the large bird of my first number, to 

 prove the necessity of the size of the work. I am glad to 

 be able to retire at an early hour. It seems to me an 

 extraordinary thing, my present situation in Edinburgh; 

 looked upon with respect, receiving the attentions of the 

 most distinguished people, and supported by men of 

 science and learning. It is wondc.-ful to me ; am I, or is 

 my work, deserving of all this? 



Tuesday, December 5, After I had put my Otter in the 

 exhibition room, I met Mr. Syme and with him visited 

 Mr. Wm. Nicholson,^ a portrait painter, and there saw, 

 independent of his own work, a picture from the far-famed 

 Snyders, intended for a Bear beset with dogs of all sorts. 

 The picture had great effect, fine coloring, and still finer 

 finishing, but the Bear was no Bear at all, and the dogs 

 were so badly drawn, distorted caricatures that I am sure 

 Snyders did not draw from specimens put in real postures, 

 in my way. I was quite disappointed, so much had I 

 heard of this man's pictures of quadrupeds, and I thought 

 of Dr. Traill, who, although well acquainted with birds 

 scientifically, told me he had an engraving of birds where 

 both legs of each individual were put on the same side, 

 and that he never noticed the defect till it was pointed out 

 to him. This made me reflect how easily man can be im- 

 pressed by general effect and beauty. I returned to the 

 Institution and had the pleasure of meeting Captain Basil 

 Hall,2 of the Royal Navy, his wife, and Lady Hunter. 

 They were extremely kind to me, and spoke of my dear 

 friends the Rathbones and Greggs in terms which de- 



' William Nicholson, First Secretary of the Scottish Academy and por- 

 trait painter. 1784-1844. 



* Traveller and author. 1788-1844. 



