218 AUDUBON 



concert. I was glad to see her simply but beautifully- 

 dressed in a plain white gown of fine muslin, with naught 

 but her fine auburn hair loose in large curls about her neck, 

 and a plain scarf of a light-rose color. She sang and 

 played most sweetly; the gentlemen present were all more 

 or less musical, and we had fine glees, duets, trios. The 

 young lady scarcely left off singing, for no sooner was a 

 song finished than some one asked for another ; she im- 

 mediately replied, " Oh, yes," and in a moment the room 

 was filled with melody. I thought she must be fatigued, 

 and told her so, but she replied : " Mr. Audubon, singing 

 is like painting ; it never fatigues if one is fond of it, and I 

 am." After a handsome supper we had more singing, and 

 it was past two o'clock when I rose, shook hands with 

 Miss Neville, bowed to the company, and made my exit. 



March 12. I can scarcely believe that this day, there 

 is in many places six feet of snow, yet with all this no 

 invitation is ever laid aside, and last evening I went to 

 dinner in a coach drawn by four horses. At noon to-day 

 I went with Mr. Lizars to the Assembly Rooms, to see the 

 fencing. About a thousand persons, all in full dress, 

 gathered in a few minutes, and a circle being formed, 

 eight young men came in, and went through the first 

 principles of fencing; we had fine martial music and a 

 succession of fencing turns till two o'clock, when the assault 

 began between the two best scholars. Five hits were 

 required to win the prize — a fine sword — and it was 

 presented to the conqueror, a Mr. Webster. At half-past 

 six I dined at Mr. Hamilton's, where a numerous and 

 agreeable party was assembled. At ten Miss Neville and 

 her mother came with still others. We had dancing and 

 singing, and here I am, quite wearied at half-past three ; 

 but I must be up early to-morrow morning. 



March 13. The little I slept had a bad effect on me, for 

 I rose cross of mind and temper. I took a long walk on 

 the London road, returned and reached Brae House, and 



