JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 29 
and again, you must know as much of 
the habits of American birds as this gen- 
tleman.’ Whether Mr. Wilson under- 
stood French or not, or if the suddenness 
with which I paused disappointed him, 
I cannot tell; but I clearly perceived 
he was not pleased. Vanity, and the 
encomiums of my friend, prevented me 
from subscribing. Mr. Wilson asked 
me if I had many drawings of birds, I 
rose, took down a large portfolio, laid it 
on the table, and showed him as I would 
show you, kind reader, or any other per- 
son fond of such subjects, the whole of 
the contents, with the same patience, 
with which he had showed me his own 
engravings. His surprise appeared great, 
as he told me he had never had the most 
distant idea that any other individual 
than himself had been engaged in form- 
ing such a collection. He asked me if 
it was my intention to publish, and when 
I answered in the negative, his surprise 
seemed to increase. And, truly, such 
