326 AUDUBON 



ently cast up from the earth added to the grand represen- 

 tation. The whole house resounded with the most vocifer- 

 ous applause, and we enjoyed our evening, I assure thee. 



September 27. Found old Redout^ at his painting. 

 The size of my portfolio surprised him, and when I 

 opened the work, he examined it most carefully, and 

 spoke highly of it, and wished he could afford it. I pro- 

 posed, at last, that we should exchange works, to which 

 he agreed gladly, and gave me at once nine numbers of 

 his " Belles fleurs " and promised to send " Les Roses." 

 Now, my Lucy, this will be a grand treat for thee, fond 

 of flowers as thou art; when thou seest these, thy eyes 

 will feast on the finest thou canst imagine. From here 

 to the Globe office, where I saw the rMacteur, who was 

 glad to have me correct the proof sheets as regarded the 

 technical names. I did so, and he gave me, to my delight, 

 the original copy of Cuvier himself. It is a great eulo- 

 gium certainly, but not so feelingly written as the one by 

 Swainson, nevertheless it will give the French an idea of 

 my work. 



September 28. I have lived many years, and have only 

 seen one horse race. Perhaps I should not have seen 

 that, which took place to-day at the Champ de Mars, 

 had I not gone out of curiosity with M. Vallery. The 

 Champ de Mars is on the south side of the Seine, about 

 one and one half miles below Paris ; we passed through 

 Les Jardins des Tuileries, followed the river, and crossed the 

 Pont de J^na opposite the entrance to I'ficole Militaire, 

 situated at the farther end of the oval that forms the 

 Champ de Mars. This is a fine area, and perfectly level, 

 surrounded by a levee of earth, of which I should suppose 

 the material was taken from the plain on which the course 

 is formed. Arriving early, we walked round it ; saw with 

 pleasure the trees that shaded the walks ; the booths 

 erected for the royal family, the prefect, the gentry, and the 

 canaille, varying greatly in elegance, as you may suppose. 



