238 AUDUBON 



alone has reared him under her peaceful care, and he in 

 gratitude of heart has copied one department of her works 

 that must stand unrivalled forever ; I say " forever " because 

 imitators have only a share of real merit, compared with in- 

 ventors, and Thomas Bewick is an inventor, and the first 

 wood-cutter in the world ! These words, " first wood-cutter " 

 would, I dare say, raise the ire of many of our hearty squat- 

 ters, who, no doubt, on hearing me express myself so 

 strongly, would take the axe, and fell down an enormous tree 

 whilst talking about it ; but the moment I would explain to 

 them that each of their chips would produce under his chisel 

 a mass of beauties, the good fellows would respect him quite 

 as much as I do. My room was filled all day with people 

 to see my works and me, whom some one had said resem- 

 bled in physiognomy Napoleon of France. Strange simile 

 this, but I care not whom I resemble, if it be only in looks, 

 if my heart preserves the love of the truth. 



Saturday, April 21. I am tired out holding up draw- 

 ings, I may say, all day; but have been rewarded by an 

 addition of five subscribers to my work. Am off to-morrow 

 to York. God bless thee, my Lucy. 



York, Sunday, April 22, 1827. Left Newcastle at eight ; 

 the weather cold and disagreeable, still I preferred a seat 

 on top to view the country. Passed through Durham, a 

 pretty little town with a handsome castle and cathedral, 

 planted on an elevated peninsula formed by a turn of the 

 river Wear, and may be seen for many miles. It is a roll- 

 ing country, and the river wound about among the hills; 

 we crossed it three times on stone bridges. Darlington, 

 where we changed horses, is a neat, small place, supported 

 by a set of very industrious Quakers; much table linen 

 is manufactured here. As we approached York the woods 

 became richer and handsomer, and trees were dispersed 

 all over the country ; it looked once more like England, 

 and the hedges reminded me of those about " Green Bank." 

 They were larger and less trimmed than in Scotland. I 



