132 Life of Auduhon. 



nerian Society to show my drawings of the Buzzard. Pro- 

 fessor Jameson rose and jDronounced quite an eu]og}^upon 

 my labors, and the Society passed a vote of thanks upon 

 them. Professor Jameson afterwards proposed me as an 

 honorary member of the Society, which was carried by 

 acclamation. 



" Dined with Lady Hunter, mother-in-law to Captain 

 Basil Hall, and met Lady Mary Clarke, aged eighty-two, 

 who was acquainted with Generals Wolfe and Montgom- 

 ery. I had many questions put to me upon subjects con- 

 nected with America by the distinguished guests I met 

 at the house. Captain Basil Hall has presented me with 

 a copy of his work upon South America, accompanied by 

 a complimentary note. 



'■'■December 17. Busy painting two cats fighting over a 

 squirrel. Up at candle-light, and worked at the cats till 

 nine o'clock. 



" December 19. Went to breakfast with Sir William Jar- 

 dine and Mr. Selby at Barry's Hotel. I was sauntering 

 along the streets, thinking of the beautiful aspects of na- 

 ture, meditating on the power of the great Creator, on 

 the beauty and majesty of his works, and of the skill he 

 had given man to study them, when the whole train of 

 my thoughts was suddenly arrested by a ragged, sickly- 

 looking beggar-boy. His face told of hunger and hard- 

 ship, and I gave him a shilling and passed on. But 

 turning again, the child was looking after me, and I beck- 

 oned to him to return. Taking him back to my lodg- 

 ings, I gave him all the garments I had which were worn, 

 added five shillings more in money, gave him my 

 blessing, and sent him away rejoicing, and feeling mys&lf 

 as if God had smiled on me, I afterwards breakfasted 

 with Sir William, and gave a lesson in drawing to him and 

 to Mr. Selby. 



'■'■December 20. Breakfasted with Mr. George Combe, 



