via INTRODUCTION. 



I found a fine museum belonging to the most interesting and 

 amiable family of the Cai. verts, in whose society my evenings 

 were chiefly spent. 



On my second visit to Manchester I obtained upwards of 

 twenty subscribers in one week, and became acquainted with 

 persons whose friendship has never failed. Of them I may par- 

 ticularly mention the Dyers, the Kennedys, the Darbi- 

 SHiRES, and the Sowlers. 



Having once more reached the hospitable home of the Rath- 

 bones at Liverpool, 1 felt my heart expand within me, and I 

 poured forth my thanks to my Maker for the many favours which 

 I had in so short a period received. I read to my friends the 

 names of more than seventy subscribers to my " Birds of Ame- 

 rica." 



My journey was continued through Chester, Birmingham, 

 and Oxford, and I passed in view of the regal and magnificent 

 Castle of Windsor. The impression made on my mind the day 

 I reached the very heart of London I am unable to describe. 

 Suffice it, kind reader, to tell you that many were the alterna- 

 tions of hope and fear as I traversed the vast metropolis. I can- 

 not give you an adequate idea of my horror or of my admira- 

 tion, when on the one side I saw pallid poverty groping in filth 

 and rags, and turning away almost in despair, beheld the huge 

 masses of the noblest monument ever raised to St Paul, which 

 reminded me of the power and grandeur of man ; — and along 

 with the thronging crowds I moved, like them intent on making 

 my way through the world. 



Eighty-two letters of introduction were contained in my 

 budget. Besides these I was the bearer of general letters from 

 Henjry Clay, Speaker of the House of Congress, General 



