Success in Edinburgh. 131 



" November 30. The picture representing myself 

 dressed in a wolf-skin coat is finished, and although the 

 likeness is not good, the picture will be hung to-morrow 

 in the Exhibition room. 



" December i. Lord Elgin and another nobleman 

 visited my exhibition to-day, and talked with me about 

 my work and prospects. Fifteen pounds were drawn at 

 the Exhibition to-da}^ 



" Decefnber 2. Breakfasted with the wonderful David 

 Bridges, who commenced to dust his furniture with his 

 handkerchief. I hear that Professor Wilson has been 

 preparing an article upon me and my ornithological 

 labors for ' Blackwood's Magazine.' Dined with Dr. 

 Brown, a very amiable man, and met Professor Jameson. 

 Sir James Hall and Captain Basil Hall have called upon 

 me to-day, the latter making inquiries in reference to 

 some purpose to visit the United States. 



'■^December 3. Nearly finished a painting of the Otter 

 in Trap, which Mr. Lizars and Mr. Syme thought excel- 

 lent. Dr. Knox has kindly promised to propose my 

 name for membership of the Wernerian Natural History 

 Society of Edinburgh. 



December 10. My success in Edinburgh borders on 

 the miraculous. My book is to be published in numbers 

 containing four birds in each the size of life, in a style 

 surpassing anything now existing, at two guineas a num- 

 ber. The engravings are truly beautiful ; some of them 

 have been colored, and are now on exhibition. 



'■'■December 12. Called on Dr. Brewster and read him 

 an article on the Carrion Crow. After reading the paper 

 I was introduced to Mrs. Brewster, a charming woman, 

 whose manner put me at entire ease. 



" December 16. Received a note from Mr, Rathbone, 

 objecting to the large size of my book, which he suspected 

 would be rather against its popularity. Went to the Wer- 



