INTRODUCTION TO PRINCE CANINO. 85 



"April 10. I was introduced to the Prince Canino, son of 

 Lucien, and nephew of Napoleon Buonaparte, who examined 

 my birds, and was complimentary in his praises. He was 

 at the time engaged on a volume of American birds, which 

 was soon to be published ; but this did not prevent him from 

 admiring another naturalist's work. 



" April 12. Met the prince at Dr. Mease's, and he expressed 

 a wish to examine my drawings more particularly. I found 

 him very gentlemanly. He called in his carriage, took me to 

 Peel, the artist who was drawing specimens of birds for his 

 work ; but from want of knowledge of the habits of birds in 

 a wild state, he represented them as if seated for a portrait, 

 instead of with their own lively animated ways when seeking 

 their natural food or pleasure. Other notable persons called 

 to see my drawings, and encouraged me with their remarks. 

 The Prince of Canino introduced me to the Academy of Arts 

 and Sciences, and pronounced my birds superb, and worthy of a 

 pupil of David. I formed the acquaintance of Le Sueur, the 

 zoologist and artist, who was greatly delighted with my drawings. 



" April 14. After breakfast met the prince, who called 

 with me on Mr. Lawson, the engraver of Mr. Wilson's plates. 

 This gentleman's figure nearly reached the roof, his face was 

 sympathetically long, and his tongue was so long that we 

 obtained no opportunity of speaking in his company. Lawson 

 said my drawings were too soft, too much like oil paintings, and 

 objected to engrave them. Mr. Fairman we found to be an 

 engraver better able to appreciate my drawings, but he strongly 

 advised me to go to England, to have them engraved in a 

 superior manner. 



" AprU 15. I obtained a room, and commenced work in 

 earnest. Prince Canino engaged me to superintend his drawings- 

 intended for publication, but my terms being much dearer than 

 Alexander Wilson asked, I was asked to discontinue this work. 

 I had now determined to go to Europe with my 'treasures,' 

 since I was assured nothing so fine in the way of ornithological 

 representations existed. I worked incessantly to complete my 

 series of drawings. On inquiry, I found Sully and Le Sueur 

 made a poor living by their brush. I had some pupils offered 

 at a dollar per lesson; but I found the citizens unwilling 



