AUDUBON—THE HUNTER-NATURALIST. 109 
of publishing, which, as we have seen, on his retirement to 
the solitudes of nature, near the sources of the Hudson, 
became gradually nourished into a purpose. But let us see 
the most touching instance of this unconsciousness in his own 
relation of the manner of his first interview with Wilson, the 
Ornithologist. He lived for two years in Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, which was then a comparatively small town. He was 
engaged in business as a merchant or trader, yet never- 
theless says :— 
During my residence at Louisville, much of my time was 
employed in my ever favorite pursuits. I drew and noted 
the habits of everything which I procured, and my collection 
was daily augmenting, as every individual who carried a gun, 
always sent me such birds or quadrupeds as he thought might 
prove useful to me. My portfolios already contained upwards 
of two hundred drawings. 
One fair morning, I was surprised by the sudden éntrance 
into our counting-room of Mr. Alexander Wilson, the cele- 
brated author of the “American Ornithology,” of whose 
existence I had never until that moment been apprised. 
This happened in March, 1810. How well do I remember 
him, as he then walked up to me! His long, rather hooked 
nose, the keenness of his eyes, and his prominent cheek-bones, 
stamped his countenance with a peculiar character. His 
dress, too, was of a kind not usually seen in that part of the 
country ; a short coat, trowsers, and a waistcoat of grey cloth. 
His stature was not above the middle size. He had two 
volumes under his arm, and as he approached the table at 
which I was working, I thought I discovered something like 
astonishment in his countenance. He, however, immediately 
proceeded to disclose the object of his visit, which was tu 
procure subscriptions for his work. He opened his books, 
explained the nature of his occupations, and requested my 
patronage. 
I felt surprised and gratified at the sight of his volumes, 
