THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 211 



just as if a loving friend ; the young hunter has laced the 

 Deer by one horn very prettily, and in the attitude of a 

 ballet-dancer was about to cast the noose over the head 

 of the animal. To me, or to my friends Dr. Pope or Mr. 

 Bourgeat such a picture is quite a farce ; not so here how- 

 ever. Many other pictures drew my attention, and still 

 more so the different artists who came in with brushes 

 and palettes to tickle their pictures. I was to read a paper 

 at the Wernerian Society on the Rattlesnake, but had not 

 had time to finish it; nevertheless I went to- the society 

 rooms, which were crowded. I was sorry I was not pre- 

 pared to read to those assembled that a Rattlesnake 

 rattled his tail, not to. give knowledge to man of his pres- 

 ence, but because he never strikes without rattling, and 

 that destitute of that appendage he cannot strike at all. 

 The wind blows a doleful tune and I feel utterly alone. 



Monday, February 12. Mr. Lizars insisted on my going 

 to the Antiquarian Society, saying it was usual for a mem- 

 ber newly elected to be present on the first occasion 

 possible. I went, of course, but felt very sheepish withal. 

 We had an excellent paper by Mr. Hays respecting a bell 

 found in Argyle, of very ancient date. 



Tuesday, February 13. This was the grand, long prom- 

 ised, and much wished-for day of the opening of the 

 Exhibition at the rooms of the Royal Institution. At one 

 o'clock I went, the doors were just opened, and in a few 

 minutes the rooms were crowded. Sir Walter Scott was 

 present; he came towards me, shook my hand cordially, 

 and pointing to Landseer's picture said : " Many such 

 scenes, Mr. Audubon, have I witnesssd in my younger 

 days." We talked much of all about us, and I would 

 gladly have joined him in a glass of wine, but my foolish 

 habits prevented me, and after inquiring of his daughter's 

 health, I left him, and shortly afterwards the rooms ; for I 

 had a great appetite, and although there were tables 

 loaded with delicacies, and I saw the ladies particularly 



