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334 



AUDUBON 



October 11. This afternoon, as I was despairing about 

 the ministers, I received a note from Vicomte Simeon,' 

 desiring I should call on Monday. I may then finish 

 with these high dignitaries. I saw the King and royal 

 family get out of their carriages at the Tuileries; bless 

 us! what a show! Carriages fairly glittering — eight 

 horses in each, and two hundred hussars and outriders, 

 A fine band of music announced their arrival. Dined at 

 Baron Cuvier's, who subscribed to my work; he being the 

 father of all naturalists, I felt great pleasure at this. I 

 left at eleven, the streets dark and greasy, and made for 

 the shortest way to my hotel, which, as Paris is a small 

 town compared to London, I found no difficulty in doing. 

 I am astonished to see how early all the shops close here, 



October 13. At twelve o'clock I was seated in the 

 antechamber of the Vicomte Simeon ; when the sergeant 

 perceived me he came to me and said that M. Simeon 

 desired me to have the first interview. I followed him 

 and saw a man of ordinary stature, about forty, fresh-look 

 ing, and so used to the courtesy of the great world that 

 before I had opened my lips he had paid me a very hand- 

 some compliment, which I have forgot. The size of my 

 work astonished him, as it does every one who sees it for 

 the first time. He told me that the work had been under 

 discussion, and that he advised me to see Baron de la 

 Brouillerie and Baron Vacher, the secretary of the Dau- 

 phin. I told him I wished to return to England to super- 

 intend my work there, and he promised I should have the 

 decision to-morrow (hated word!) or the next day. I 

 thought him kind and complaisant. He gave the signal 

 for my departure by bowing, and I lifted my book, as il 

 made of feathers, and passed out with swiftness and alac- 

 rity. I ordered the cab at once to the Tuileries, and 

 after some trouble found the Cabinet of the Baron de 

 Vacher; there, Lucy, I really waited like a Blue Heron 



1 Count Joseph J6r8me Simeon, French Minister of State. I78i-i846' 



