176 AUDUBON 



lighted me. The captain asked if I did not intend to 

 exhibit by gaslight, and when I replied that the Institution 

 had granted me so much favor already that I could not 

 take it upon myself to speak of that, said that he should 

 do so at once, and would let me know the answer from 

 Mr. Skene, the secretary. I wrote the history of my pic- 

 ture of the Otter, and sent with a note to Professor Wilson, 

 who had asked for it. 



Wednesday, December 6. After breakfast I called on 

 Professor Jameson, and as the Wild Turkey is to be in my 

 first number, proposed to give him the account of the 

 habits of the Turkey Buzzard instead ; he appeared anxious 

 to have any I would give. I spoke to him about the pre- 

 sentation of my name to the Wernerian Society ; he said 

 it was desirable for me to join it as it would attach me to 

 the country, and he would give his aid gladly. I visited 

 Captain Basil Hall of the Royal Navy ; as I ascended the 

 stairs to his parlor I heard the sweet sounds of a piano, 

 and found Mrs. Hall was the performer. Few women have 

 ever attracted me more at first sight ; her youth and her 

 fair face are in unison with her manners ; and her husband 

 also received me most kindly, especially when I recalled 

 our previous slight acquaintance. I spent here a most 

 agreeable hour. They spoke of visiting the States, and I 

 urged them to do so. Captain Hall, a man of extraordi- 

 nary talents, a great traveller, and a rich man, has made 

 the most of all, and I found him the best of company. 

 From thence to friend Neill's establishment in the Old 

 Town to see at what time my memoranda must be ready for 

 the press ; to my astonishment I was told that to-morrow 

 was my last day, and I ran home to scribble. Professor 

 Monroe called on me with a friend and asked me what I 

 would take to draw skulls, etc., for him ; then Mr. Syme 

 brought an engraver to consult with me on the subject of 

 my portrait being immortalized. Young Gregg paid me a 

 visit, and at last I dressed in a hurry and ran to Mr. Lizars' 



