438 LOUISVILLE. 



these good people, before they could be prevailed upon to let us return to 

 our own residence. We lived for two years at Louisville, where we en- 

 joyed many of the best pleasures which this life can afford ; and whenever 

 we have since chanced to pass that way, we have found the kindness of 

 our former friends unimpaired. ' 



During my residence at Louisville, much of my time was employed 

 in my ever favourite pursuits. I drew and noted the habits of every 

 tiling which I procured, and my collection was daily augmenting, as 

 every individual who carried a gun, always sent me such birds or quad- 

 rupeds as he thought might prove useful to me. My portfolios already 

 contained upwards of two hundred drawings. Dr W. C Galt, being 

 a botanist, was often consulted by me, as well as his friend Dr Fergu- 

 son. M. GiLLY drew beautifully, and was fond of my pursuits. So was 

 my friend, and now relative, N. Berthoud. As I have already said, our 

 time was spent in the most agreeable manner, through the hospitable 

 friendship of our acquaintance. 



One fair morning, I was surprised by the sudden entrance into our 

 counting-room of Mr Alexander Wilson, the celebrated author of the 

 " American Ornithology," of whose existence I had never until that mo- 

 ment been apprised. This happened in March 1810. How well do I re- 

 member him, as he then walked up to me ! His long, rather hooked 

 nose, the keenness of his eyes, and his prominent cheek-bones, stamped 

 his countenance with a peculiar character. His dress, too, was of a kind 

 not usually seen in that part of the country ; a short coat, trowsers, and 

 a waistcoat of grey cloth. His stature was not above the middle size. 

 He had two volumes under his arm, and as he approached the table at 

 which I was working, I thought I discovered something like astonish- 

 ment in his covmtenance. He, however, immediately proceeded to dis- 

 close the object of his visit, which was to procure subscriptions for his 

 work. He opened his books, explained the nature of his occupations, and 

 requested my patronage. 



I felt surprised and gratified at the sight of his volumes, turned over 

 a few of the plates, and had already taken a pen to write my name in his 

 favour, when my partner rather abruptly said to me in French, " My 

 dear Audubon, Avhat induces you to subscribe to this work ? Your 

 draAvings are certainly far better, and again you must know as much of 

 the habits of American birds as this gentleman." Whether Mr Wilson 

 understood French or not, or if the suddenness with which I paused, dis- 



