170 AUDUBON 



presented to him by Mr. Innes of Stow ; he shook hands 

 with me and spoke in a very kind and truly compHmentary 

 manner about my pencil's productions. At six we walked 

 in couples to the dining-room ; I had the arm of my good 

 friend Patrick Neill, Mr. Lizars sat on my other side, and 

 there was a sumptuous dinner indeed. It at first consisted 

 entirely of Scotch messes of old fashion, such as marrow- 

 bones, codfish-heads stuffed with oatmeal and garlic, 

 black puddings, sheep's-heads smelling of singed wool, 

 and I do not know what else. Then a second dinner was 

 served quite a I'anglaise. I finished with a bit of grouse. 

 Then came on the toasts. Lord Elgin, being president 

 and provided with an auctioneer's mallet, brought all the 

 company to order by rapping smartly on the table with 

 the instrument. He then rose, and simply said: "The 

 King! four times four ! " Every one rose to drink to the 

 monarch's health, and the president saying, " Ip, ip, ip," 

 sixteen cheers were loudly given. The Dukes of York, 

 Argyle, and many others had their healths drunk, then 

 Sir Walter Scott (who, to my great regret, was not able 

 to be present), and so on and on, one and another, until 

 mine was proposed by Mr. Skene,^ the first secretary of 

 the society. Whilst he was engaged in a handsome pan- 

 egyric the perspiration poured from me, I thought I should 

 faint ; and I was seated in this wretched condition when 

 everybody rose, and the Earl called out: " Mr. Audubon." 

 I had seen each individual when toasted, rise, and deliver 

 a speech ; that being the case, could I remain speechless 

 like a fool? No ! I summoned all my resolution, and for 

 the first time in my life spoke to a large assembly, saying 

 these few words : " Gentlemen, my command of words in 

 which to reply to your kindness is almost as humble as 

 that of the birds hanging on the walls of your institution. 

 I am truly obliged for your favors. Permit me to say, May 

 God bless you all, and may this society prosper." I felt 

 1 Wm. Forbes Skene, Scottish historian. 



