The Wernerian Society. ■ 137 



many days' labor, and of which I am so jealous, and I 

 would not add to his pain who had proved so kind a 

 friend to me by denying him. Lunch was already on the 

 table, but I was not asked to remain, and I was truly 

 glad of it, and I went away almost unnoticed, and hurried 

 to meet an engagement at the Wernerian rooms. 



" When I entered the rooms of the Wernerian Socie- 

 ty, they were full as an egg, and I was told by a friend 

 that the large assembly had come because of a report 

 that I was to read a paper on the habits of the rattle- 

 snake. Professor Graham arose soon after my arrival, 

 and said, 'Mr. President, Mr. Audubon has arrived.' 

 But I had been too busy to finish the paper, and Mr. 

 Lizars explained this for me. My engravings were then 

 called for by Professor Jameson, and they were examined 

 and highly praised. The paper on the alligator was fin- 

 ished soon after, and read before the Society. 



" A stranger lately accosted me in the street, and 

 suggested to me, that if 1 would paint an Osage Indian 

 hunting wild turkej^s, it would take with the public and 

 increase my reputation. No doubt it would, for whatever 

 is most strange is most taking now ; but so long as my 

 hair floats over my shoulders I shall probably attract at- 

 tention enough ; and if it hung to my heels it would 

 attract more. 



^'■February 11. Worked all the morning at the Royal 

 Institution, touching up my pictures hanging there ; sev- 

 eral other artists came and worked on theirs also. It was 

 quite amusing to hear them praising one another, and 

 condemning the absent. 



'■'■February 12. Began the day by working hard on the 

 pictures at the rooms of the Scottish Society. And to- 

 day the Antiquarian Society held its first meeting since 

 my election. It is customary for new members to be 

 present at such times, and I went, and though I felt 



