270 AUDUBON 



ident of the Athenaeum, to obtain his leave to show my 

 work in the Reading Room, and for me to have notes of 

 invitation printed and sent to each member, for them to 

 come and inspect the work as far as it goes. I called on 

 Mr. Currie and obtained his permission at once, so the 

 matter is en train. 



November 30. I have spent the day at Woodcroft with 

 Richard Rathbone. Mrs. Rathbone wishes me to teach 

 her how to paint in oils. Now is it not too bad that I 

 cannot do so, for want of talent? My birds in water-colors 

 have plumage and soft colors, but in oils — alas ! I 

 walked into town with Richard Rathbone, who rode his 

 horse. I kept by his side all the way, the horse walking. 

 I do not rely as much on my activity as I did twenty years 

 ago, but I still think I could kill any horse in England in 

 twenty days, taking the travel over rough and level grounds. 

 This might be looked upon as a boast by many, but, I am 

 quite satisfied, not by those who have seen me travel at 

 the rate of five miles an hour all day. Once indeed I 

 recollect going from Louisville to Shippingport ^ in four- 

 teen minutes, with as much ease as if I had been on 

 skates. 



December 3. This morning I made sketches of ail the 

 parts of the Platypus ^ for William Gregg, who is to deliver 

 a lecture on this curious animal. To-day and yesterday 

 have been rainy, dismal indeed ; very dismal is an English 

 December. I am working very hard, writing constantly. 

 The greater part of this day was spent at the Athenaeum ; 

 many visitors, but no subscribers. 



December Ij-. Again at the library and had one sub- 

 scriber. A letter from Charles Bonaparte tells me he has 

 decided not to reside in America, but in Florence ; this I 

 much regret. I have been reading the " Travels of the 



1 The distance between these places is about two miles. 



2 The Duck-billed Platypus, Ornithorynchus paradoxus of Australia. 

 — E.G. 



