316 AUDUBON 



if the work were done in London, and probably not so wel! 

 This has ended with me all thoughts of ever removing i 

 from Havell's hands, unless he should discontinue th 

 present excellent state of its execution. Copper is deare 

 here than in England, and good colorers much scarcer 

 I saw Cuvier, who invited us to spend the evening, am 

 then returned to the Pont des Arts to look for bird-skins 

 I found none, but purchased an engraved portrait of Cuvier 

 and another of " Phidias and the Thorn." I have jus 

 returned with Swainson from Baron Cuvier's, who give 

 public receptions to scientific men every Saturday. Mi 

 book was on the table ; Cuvier received me with specia 

 kindness, and put me at my ease. Mademoiselle Cuvie 

 I found remarkably agreeable, as also Monsieur de Condil 

 lot. The first very willingly said he would sit t o Parke 

 for his portrait, and the other told me that if I went t< 

 Italy, I must make his house my home. My work wa; 

 seen by many, and Cuvier pronounced it the finest of it 

 kind in existence. " """ -— - — 



September 1%, Sunday. Versailles, where we have spen 

 our day, is truly a magnificent place ; how long since I havi 

 been here, and how many changes in my life since thosi 

 days ! We first saw the orangerie, of about two hundrec 

 trees, that to Frenchmen who have never left Paris lool 

 well, but to me far from it, being martyrized by the hanc 

 of man, who has clipped them into stiff ovals. One i: 

 407 years old. They produce no golden fruit, as thei 

 boxes are far too small to supply sufficient nourishment 

 and their fragrant blossoms are plucked to make orange 

 flower water. From this spot the woods, the hunting 

 grounds of the King, are seen circling the gardens, and an 

 (we are told) filled with all kinds of game. The King'; 

 apartments, through which we afterwards went, are too ful 

 of gilding for my eyes, and I frequently resorted to thi 

 large windows to glance at the green trees. Amongst th 

 paintings I admired most little Virginia and Paul standinj 



