144 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



colourers much more scarce. I have just returned with friend 

 Swainson from Baron Cuvier's, who gives receptions to scientific 

 men every Saturday. My book was on the table, and Cuvier 

 received me with especial kindness, and put me at ease. Mons. 

 Condillot I found remarkably amiable, and the company was 

 much the same as on last Saturday. I found much pleasure 

 in conversation with Cuvier and M. de Condillot, The former 

 willingly assented to sit to Mr. Parker for his portrait, and the 

 other told me if I visited Italy I must make his house my home. 

 My work was examined, and Cuvier pronounced it the finest in 

 existence of the kind. As we attempted to make our escape 

 Cuvier noticed us, and ran after us and took us by thfe hand, 

 and wished us to return ; but we had a long and dark walk 

 before us, and on that ground excused ourselves. 



" Septemher 15. France is poor indeed! This day I have 

 attended the Eoyal Academy of Sciences, and had my plates 

 examined by about one hundred persons. 'Fine, very fine!' 

 issued from many mouths ; but they said also, ' What a work ! 

 what a price ! who can pay it ?' I recollected that I had thirty 

 subscribers at Manchester, and mentioned it. They stared, and 

 seemed surprised ; but acknowledged that England, the little 

 island of England, alone was able to support poor Audubon. 

 Some went so far as to say that, had I been here four months 

 ago, I should not have had even the Prince d'Essliug for a 

 subscriber. Poor France, thy fine climate, rich vineyards, and 

 the wishes of the learned avail nothing ; thou art a destitute 

 beggar, and not the powerful friend thou wert represented to me. 

 Now it is that I plainly see how happy, or lucky, it was in me 

 not to have come to France first ; for if I had, my work now 

 would not have had even a beginning. It would have perished" 

 like a flower in October ; and I should have returned to my 

 woods, without the hope of leaving behind that eternal fame 

 which my ambition, industry, and perseverance long to enjoy. 

 Not a subscriber, Lucy ; no, not one ! 



"I have also been again to Cuvier's to-day, to introduce Mr. 

 Parker, to begin his portrait. You would liJie to hear more of 

 Cuvier and his house. Well, we rang the bell, and a waiter 

 came, and desired that we would wipe our feet : we needed it, 

 for we were very muddy: This over, we followed the man up- 



