124 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



auburn hair hanging in flowing ringlets about her neck and 

 rose-coloured scarf over her shoulders, looking as differently 

 from what she does on the stage as can be imagined. She sang 

 and played sweetly, her large, dark, languid eyes expressing the 

 deep emotions of her soul. She scarcely left off singing for a 

 moment, for as soon as one thing was finished some person 

 called for another, and she readily replied, ' Oh, yes ;' and glees, 

 duets, and trios followed one another, filling the room with her 

 melodies. I thought at last that she must be fatigued, and said 

 so to her. But she replied, ' Mr. Audubon, music is like paint- 

 ing, it never fatigues if one is fond of it, and I am.' We had 

 an elegant supper, and after that more music, and then more 

 refreshments and wine ; this gave new impulse to the song. 

 Miss O'NeiU played, and called on the singers to accompany her. 

 The music travelled along the table, and sometimes leaped across 

 it ; gentlemen and ladies took turns, until, looking at my watch, 

 I found that it was past two o'clock, when I arose, and, in spite 

 of many entreaties, shook hands with Miss O'Neill, bowed to the 

 company, and made my exit. 



" March 13. Breakfasted with the famous Mrs. Grant, her son 

 and daughter the only other company. She is aged and very 

 deaf, but very intelligent and warm-hearted. We talked of 

 America, and she is really the first person I have met here who 

 knows much about it. She thought it would not be for the 

 benefit of the slaves to set them free suddenly from their masters' 

 protection. 



" Passed a most uncomfortable evening at Sir James Eiddell's. 

 The company was too high for me, for although Sir James and 

 his lady did all that could be desired to entertain me, I did not 

 smile nor have a happy thought for the evening ; and had not 

 Mrs. Hay and Mrs. Captain Hall been present, I should have 

 been very miserable. After dinner, however, my drawings were 

 examined and praised, and they seemed to look on me as less a 

 bear, and I felt relieved.' My good friend Mr. Hay asked a 

 young Kussian nobleman who was present if he could not give 

 me some letters to his country, but he was silent. I turned to 

 Mr. Hay, and thanked him for his kind intentions in such a way 

 as to turn the conversation, and relieve his embarrassment. 

 The best recommendation I can have is my own talents, and the 



