THE ORIGINAL PAINTER. 411 



in a trap, for I was struck f)y the force of the gentleman's question ; 

 which, by the way, was not much in discordance with a not unusual 

 mode of granting an answer in the United States. Sure enough, thought 

 I, little or perhaps nothing do I know of the natvire of those beautiful 

 denizens of the air ; but the next moment vanity gave me a pinch, and 

 urged me to conceive that I knew at least as much about birds as the 

 august personage in my presence. " Sir," replied I, " I am a student of 

 nature, and admire her works, from the noblest figure of man to the 

 crawling reptile which you have in your bosom." " Ah !" replied he, 

 *' a^a^a naturalist, I presume !" " Just so, my good Sir," was my answer. 

 The gentleman gave me the cage ; and I observed from the comer of 

 one of my eyes, that his were cunningly inspecting my face. I examined 

 the pretty finches as long as I wished, returned the cage, made a low 

 bow, and was about to proceed on my walk, when this odd sort of being 

 asked me a question quite accordant with my desire of knowing more of 

 him : " Will you come with me, Sir ? If you will, you shall see some 

 more curious birds, some of which are from different parts of the world. 

 I keep quite a collection." I assured him I should feel gratified, and 

 accompanied him to his lodgings. 



We entered a long room, where, to my surprise, the first objects that 

 attracted my attention were a large easel, with a full length unfinished 

 portrait upon it, a table with pallets and pencils, and a number of pic- 

 tures of various sizes placed along the walls. Several cages containing 

 birds were hung near the windows, and two young gentlemen were busily 

 engaged in copying some finished portraits. I was delighted with all I 

 saw. Each picture spoke for itself : the drawing, the colouring, the hand- 

 ling, the composition, and the keeping- — all proved, that, whoever was 

 the artist, he certainly was possessed of superior talents. 



I -did not know if my companion was the painter of the picture, but, 

 as we say in America, I strongly guessed, and without waiting any 

 longel', paid him the compliments which I thought he fairly deserved. 

 " Aye," said he, " the world is pleased with my work, I wish I were so 

 too, but time and industry are required as well as talents, to make a 

 good artist. If you will examine the birds, I'll to my labour." So 

 saying, the artist took up his pallet, and was searching for a rest-stick, 

 but not finding the one with which he usually supported his hand, he 

 drew the rod of a gun, and was about to sit, when he suddenly threw 

 down his implements on the table, and, taking the gun, walked to 



