118 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



" When I entered tlie rooms of tte Wernerian Society, they 

 were full as an egg, and I was told by a friend that the large 

 assembly had come because of a report that I was to read a 

 paper on the habits of the rattlesnake. Professor Graham arose 

 soon after my arriyal, and said, ' Mr. President, Mr, Audubon 

 has arrived.' But I had been too busy to finish the paper, and 

 Mr. Lizars explained this for me. My engravings were then 

 called for by Professor Jameson, and they were examined and 

 highly praised. The paper on the alligator was finished soon 

 after, and read before the society. 



" A stranger lately accosted me in the street, and suggested to 

 me, that if I would paint an Osago Indian hunting wild turkeys, 

 it would take with the public and increase my reputation. No 

 doubt it would, for whatever is most strange is most taking now ; 

 but so long as my hair floats over my shoulders I shall probably 

 attract attention enough ; and if it hung to my heels it would 

 attract more. 



"February 11. Worked all the morning at the Koyal Instil 

 tution, touching up my pictures hanging there ; several other 

 artists came and worked on theirs also. It was quite amusing 

 to hear them praising one another, and condemning the 

 absent. 



" February 12. Began the day by working hard on the 

 pictures at the rooms of the Scottish Society. And to-day the 

 Antiquarian Society held its first meeting since my election. 

 It is customary for new members to be present at such times, 

 and I went, and though I felt rather sheepish, I was warmly 

 ' congratulated by the members. At one o'clock I visited the 

 rooms of the Eoyal Society, which were crowded, and tables 

 were set, covered with wine and fruits and other refreshments. 

 The ladies were mostly of noble families, and I saw many there 

 whom I knew. But the Ladies Mansfield passed me several 

 times, without manifesting any recollection of a man who, a few 

 days before, had waited on their ladyships, and shown them his 

 drawings, not for his pleasure, but their benefit. Sir Walter 

 Scott was present, and came towards me and shook hands 

 cordially, and pointing to a picture, said, 'Mr. Audubon, many 

 such scenes have I witnessed in my younger days,' We 

 talked much of all about us, and I would gladly have asked 



