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243 



AUDUBON 



Wood Thrush, that appeared to give her farewell melody 

 to the disappearing day I We have looked at the glitter- 

 ing fire-fly, heard the Whip-poor-will, and seen the vigilant 

 Owl preparing to search field and forest ! Here the scene 

 was not quite so pleasing, though its charms brought youth 

 and happiness to my recollection. One or two Warblers 

 perched on the eglantine, almost blooming, and gave 

 their little powers full vent. The shrill notes of Thrushes 

 (not ours) came from afar, and many Rooks with loaded 

 bills were making fast their way towards the nests that 

 contained their nearly half-grown ofiFspring. The cattle 

 were treading heavily towards their pens, and the sheep 

 gathered to the lee of each protecting hedge. To-day 

 have I had a great number of visitors, and three subscribers. 



April 27. A long walk early, and then many visitors, 

 Mr. Vernon ^ among them, who subscribed for my work 

 All sorts of people come. If Matthews the comic were now 

 and then to present himself at my levees, how he would act 

 the scenes over. I am quite worn out ; I think sometimes 

 my poor arms will give up their functions before I secure 

 five hundred subscribers. 



Saturday, 28th. During my early walk along the Ouse 

 I saw a large butterfly, quite new to me, and attempted to 

 procure it with a stroke of my cane ; but as I whirled it 

 round, off went the scabbard into the river, more than half 

 across, and I stood with a naked small sword as if waiting 

 for a duel. I would have swam out for it, but that there 

 were other pedestrians ; so a man in a boat brought it to 

 me for sixpence. I have had a great deal of company, and 

 five subscribers. Mr. Wright took me all over the Min- 

 ster, and also on the roof. We had a good spy-glass, and 

 I had an astonishing view of the spacious vales that sur- 

 round the tile-covered city of York. I could easily follow 

 the old walls of defence. It made me giddy to look di- 

 rectly down, as a great height is always unpleasant to me. 



1 Mr. Vernon was the president of the Philosophical Society of York. 



