66 CONSERVATOR OF SURGEONS’ MUSEUM [oh. iy. 
specimens of birds and making drawings of them— 
in which art he rapidly improved, becoming more 
and more proficient with constant practice. 
In the course of his wanderings, he accidentally 
met that eminent ornithologist, Lucien Buona¬ 
parte, who on seeing specimens of his drawings, 
encouraged him in his ornithological pursuits, and 
expressed so high an opinion of his art that the 
publication of his drawings thereafter became the 
subject of serious consideration with him. Publica¬ 
tion in America at the time, however, was 
considered hopeless, and it was ultimately decided 
that a voyage to England should be undertaken 
with a view to their publication in that country. 
The necessary amount of capital having been 
got together by the joint industrial exertions of 
husband and wife, Audubon sailed for Liverpool, 
taking with him a large number of drawings, 
with introductions to various men of position and 
influence, who might be interested in his work and 
be helpful to him. He landed in Liverpool in 
April 1826, and after spending some time in the 
West of England he proceeded to Edinburgh, 
arriving there in September 1826. He procured 
rooms from Mrs Dickie, 26 George Street, which 
continued to be his home while he was in Edinburgh 
during this and all his subsequent visits. 
His strikingly picturesque figure, with flowing 
locks reaching to his shoulders, his eyes aglow with 
genius, his courtesy and simplicity of manner, and 
his unaffected kindliness of disposition soon gained 
