326 AUDUBON 



ently cast up from the earth added to the grand represen- 

 tation. The whole house resounded with the most vocifer- 

 ous applause, and we enjoyed our evening, I assure thee. 



September 27. Found old Redoute at his painting. 

 The size of my portfolio surprised him, and when I 

 opened the work, he examined it most carefully, and 

 spoke highly of it, and wished he could afford it. I pro- 

 posed, at last, that we should exchange works, to which 

 he agreed gladly, and gave me at once nine numbers of 

 his " Belles fleurs " and promised to send " Les Roses." 

 Now, my Lucy, this will be a grand treat for thee, fond 

 of flowers as thou art; when thou seest these, thy eyes 

 will feast on the finest thou canst imagine. From here 

 to the Globe office, where I saw the re'dacteur, who was 

 glad to have me correct the proof sheets as regarded the 

 technical names. I did so, and he gave me, to my delight, 

 the original copy of Cuvier himself. It is a great eulo- 

 gium certainly, but not so feelingly written as the one by 

 Swainson, nevertheless it will give the French an idea of 

 my work. 



September 28. I have lived many years, and have only 

 seen one horse race. Perhaps I should not have seen 

 that, which took place to-day at the Champ de Mars, 

 had I not gone out of curiosity with M. Vallery. The 

 Champ de Mars is on the south side of the Seine, about 

 one and one half miles below Paris ; we passed through 

 Les Jardins des Tuileries, followed the river, and crossed the 

 Pont de Jena opposite the entrance to l'Fxole Militaire, 

 situated at the farther end of the oval that forms the 

 Champ de Mars. This is a fine area, and perfectly level, 

 surrounded by a levee of earth, of which I should suppose 

 the material was taken from the plain on which the course 

 is formed. Arriving early, we walked round it; saw with 

 pleasure the trees that shaded the walks; the booths 

 erected for the royal family, the prefect, the gentry, and the 

 canaille, varying greatly in elegance, as you may suppose. 



