112 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



a glass of wine that Mr. Lizars kindly handed to me in my 

 distress. Some Scottish songs were sung ; and William Allen, 

 the famous Scottish painter, concluded the fun by giving a droll 

 imitation of the buzzing of a bee about the room, following it 

 and striking at it with his handkerchief as if it was flying from 

 him." 



"Novemler 30. The picture representing myself dressed in a 

 wolt's-skin coat is finished, and although the likeness is not good, 

 the picture will be hung to-morrow in the Exhibition room. 



" December 1. Lord Elgin and another nobleman visited my 

 Exhibition to-day, and talked with me about my work and 

 prospects. Fifteen pounds were drawn at the Exhibition to-day. 



" December 2. Breakfasted with the wonderful David Bridges, 

 who commenced to dust his furniture with his handkerchief. I 

 hear that Professor Wilson has been preparing an article upon 

 me and my ornithological labours for ' Blackwood's Magazine-' . 

 Dined with Dr. Brown, a very amiable man, and met Professor 

 Jameson. Sir James Hall and Captain Basil Plall have called 

 upon me to-day, the latter making inquiries in reference to 

 some purpose to visit the United States. 



"December 3. Nearly finished a painting of the Otter in Ti-ap, 

 which Mr. Lizars and Mr. Syme thought excellent. Dr. Knox 

 has kindly promised to propose my name for membership of the 

 Wemerian l^atural History Society of Edinburgh. 



"December 10. My success in Edinburgh borders on the 

 miraculous. My book is to be published in numbers containing 

 four birds in each the size of life, in a style surpassing anything 

 now existing, at two guineas a number. The engravings are 

 truly beautiful ; some of them have been coloured and are now 

 on exhibition. 



" December 12. Called on Dr. Brewster and read him an 

 article on the Carrion Crow. After reading the paper I was 

 introduced to Mrs. Brewster, a charming woman, whose manner 

 put me at entire ease. 



"December 16. Eeceived a note from Mr. Eathbone, objecting 

 to the large size of my book, which he suspected would be 

 rather against its popularity. Went to the Wernerian Society 

 to show my drawings of the Buzzard, Professor Jameson rose 

 and pronounced quite an eulogy upon my labours, and the 



