THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 99 



were all of opinion that they were free of duty, but the 

 law was looked at and I was obliged to pay two pence on 

 each drawing, as they were water-colored. My books 

 being American, I paid four ^&nce per pound, and when all 

 was settled, I took my baggage and drawings, and went 

 to my lodgings. The noise of pattens on the sidewalk 

 startles me very frequently; if the sound is behind me I 

 often turn my head expecting to see a horse, but instead 

 I observe a neat, plump-looking maid, tripping as briskly 

 as a Killdeer. I received a polite note from Mr. Rath- 

 bone 1 this morning, inviting me to dine next Wednesday 

 with him and Mr. Roscoe.^ I shall not forget the appoint- 

 ment. 



Sunday, Jzdy 23. Being Sunday I must expect a 

 long and lonely day ; I woke at dawn and lay for a few 

 moments only, listening to the sweet-voiced Lark ; the day 

 was beautiful; thermometer in the sun 65°, in the shade 

 41" ; I might say 40°, but I love odd numbers, — it is a fool- 

 ish superstition with me. I spent my forenoon with Mr. 

 Swift and a friend of his, Mr. R. Lyons, who was after- 

 wards kind enough to introduce us to the Commercial 

 Reading Room at the Exchange Buildings. In the after- 

 noon we went across the Mersey. The country is some- 

 what dull ; we returned to supper, sat chatting in the coffee 

 room, and the day ended. 



July 24, Monday. As early as I thought proper I 



^ Mr. Wm. Rathbone, of the firm of Rathbone Bros. & Co., to whom 

 Audubon had a letter from Mr. Vincent Nolte. To Messrs. Wm. and 

 Richard Rathbone, and their father Wm. Rathbone, Sr., Audubon was more 

 deeply indebted than to any other of his many kind friends in England. 

 Their hospitality was only equalled by their constant and valuable assist- 

 ance in preparing for the publication of the " Birds," and when this was an 

 assured fact, they were unresting in their efforts to aid Audubon in pro- 

 curing subscribers. It Is with pleasure that Audubon's descendants to-day 

 acknowledge this indebtedness to the "family Rathbone," which is ever 

 held in grateful remembrance. 



2 William Roscoe, historical, botanical, and miscellaneous writer, 1753- 

 1831. 



