LETTER FEOM SIR WALTER SCOTT. 123 



from your own hand to whoever you may please to intro- 

 duce me. 



" ' I beg this of you with the hope that my efforts to advance 

 ornithological studies, by the publication of my collections and 

 manuscripts, may be thought worthy of your kind attentions, 

 and an excuse for thus intruding on your precious moments. 

 Should you feel the least scruple, please frankly decline it, 

 and believe me, dear sir, that I value so highly my first 

 reception, when presented to you by my good friend 

 Captain Basil Hall, and your subsequent civilities, that I 

 never shall cease to be, with the highest respect and admira- 

 tion, 



" ' Your most obedient, humble servant, 



" ' John J, Audubon.' " 



That same evening the following answer was received. 



"'Deae Me. Audubon, 



" ' I am sure you will find many persons better qualified 

 than myself to give you a passport to foreign countries, since 

 circumstances have prevented our oftener meetings and my igno- 

 rance does not permit me to say anything on the branches of 

 natural history of which you are so well possessed. But I can 

 easily and truly say, that what I have had the pleasure of see- 

 ing, touching your talents and manners, corresponds with all I 

 have heard in your favour ; and that I am a sincere believer in 

 the extent of your scientific attainments, though I have not the 

 knowledge necessary to form an accurate judgment on the 

 subject. I sincerely wish much your travels may prove agree- 

 able, and remain, 



" ' Very much your 



" ' Obedient servant, 



" ' Waltee Scott.' 



" ' Edinburgh, March 8.' " 



" Spent the evening at Miss O'Neill's, the actress. Several 

 ladies and gentlemen of musical ability were present, and after 

 tea Miss O'Neill arose and said she would open the concert. 

 She was beautifully dressed in plain white muslin, her fine 



