these good people, before they could be prevailed upon to let us return to
our own residence. We lived for two years at Louisville, where we enjoyed
many of the best pleasures which this life can afford ; and whenever
we have since chanced to pass that way, we have found the kindness of
our former friends unimpaired.
During my residence at Louisville, much of my time was employed
in my ever favourite pursuits. I drew and noted the habits of every
thing which I procured, and my collection was daily augmenting, as
every individual who carried a gun, always sent me such birds or quadrupeds
as he thought might prove useful to me. My portfolios already
contained upwards of two hundred drawings. Dr W. C. GALT, being
a botanist, was often consulted by me, as well as his friend Dr FERGUSON.
M. GILLY drew beautifully, and was fond of my pursuits. So was
my friend, and now relative, N. BERTHOUD. AS I have already said, our
time was spent in the most agreeable manner, through the hospitable
friendship of our acquaintance.
One fair morning, I was surprised by the sudden entrance into our
counting-room of Mr ALEXANDER WILSON, the celebrated author of the
" American Ornithology," of whose existence I had never until that moment
been apprised. This happened in March 1810. How well do I remember
him, as he then walked up to me ! His long, rather hooked
nose, the keenness of his eyes, and his prominent cheek-bones, stamped
his countenance with a peculiar character. His dress, too, was of a kind
not usually seen in that part of the country ; a short coat, trowsers, and
a waistcoat of grey cloth. His stature was not above the middle size.
He had two volumes under his arm, and as he approached the table at
which I was working, I thought I discovered something like astonishment
in his countenance. He, however, immediately proceeded to disclose
the object of his visit, which was to procure subscriptions for his
work. He opened his books, explained the nature of his occupations, and
requested my patronage.
I felt surprised and gratified at the sight of his volumes, turned over
a few of the plates, and had already taken a pen to write my name in his
favour, when my partner rather abruptly said to me in French, " My
dear AUDUBON, what induces you to subscribe to this work ? Your
drawings are certainly far better, and again you must know as much of
the habits of American birds as this gentleman.11 Whether Mr WILSON
understood French or not, or if the suddenness with which I paused, disappointed
him, I cannot tell; but I clearly perceived that 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 shewed him,
as I would shew you, kind reader, or any other person fond of such subjects,
the whole of the contents, with the same patience with which he had
shewn me his own engravings.
His surprise appeared great, as he told me he never had the most distant
idea that any other individual than himself had been engaged in
forming 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 was not my intention; for, until long after, when I met
the Prince of Musignano in Philadelphia, I had not the least idea of presenting
the fruits of my labours to the world. Mr WILSON now examined
my drawings with care, asked if I should have any objections to lending
him a few during his stay, to which I replied that I had none: he
then bade me good morning, not, however, until I had made an arrangement
to explore the woods in the vicinity along with him, and had promised
to procure for him some birds, of which I had drawings in my collection,
but which he had never seen.
It happened that he lodged in the same house with us, but his retired
habits, I thought, exhibited either a strong feeling of discontent, or
a decided melancholy. The Scotch airs which he played sweetly on his
flute made me melancholy too, and I felt for him. I presented him to
my wife and friends, and seeing that he was all enthusiasm, exerted myself
as much as was in my power, to procure for him the specimens which
he wanted. We hunted together, and obtained birds which he had never
before seen; but, reader, I did not subscribe to his work, for, even
at that time, my collection was greater than his. Thinking that perhaps
he might be pleased to publish the results of my researches, I offered
them to him, merely on condition that what I had drawn, or might afterwards
draw and send to him, should be mentioned in his work, as coming
from my pencil. I at the same time offered to open a correspondence
with him, which I thought might prove beneficial to us both. He made
no reply to either proposal, and before many days had elapsed, left
Louisville, on his way to New Orleans, little knowing how much his talents
were appreciated in our little town, at least by myself and my
friends.