The sun., 1898-01-23
III

Audubon arrived in London in May, 1927.
One of the first persons to call upon him was the
American Minister, Mr.. Gallatin. or him we
read that "he has the easo and charm of man
nor of perfect gentleman, and addressed me in
French. Seated by his side we soon travelled lin
conversation) to America. He dctcsts the Eng
lish, and spoke in no measured terms of London
as the most disagreeable place In Europe.
While we were talking Mrs. and Miss Gala.
tin came in and tho topic was changed.
and my drawings were exhibited. The
ladies knew every plant. and Mr.. Gal
latin nearly every bird. l found at homo
that new suit of clothes that my friend.
Basil Hall, insisted upon my procuring. /
looked this remarkable black dress well over,
put 1t on, and thus attired like mournful
raven. went to dine" Soon afterward he mot an
old friend who was of great use to him-Charles
Bonaparte. Prince of Musignano. The latter
at once put down his name for a set of the pro-
posed plates apd secured many subscribers. IL
cannot, tell YOU" says Audubon, how sur.
prised was when, at Charles y lodging. to hear
his man nservant call him Your Royal Highncss;
l thought this ridiculous in tho extreme, and l
cannot conceive how good Charles can bear it,
though probably he does bear because he Is good
Charles" In the course of the summer the pub
70 have 1t brought out under royal patronage
The latter incident Is thus referred to: The
by Sir Waiter Waller. Bart, al The request OF
my most excellent friend, J. T. Children. of the
British Museum. His Majesty was pleased to
call it fine permitted mo 10 publish it under his
particular patronage. appreciation, and protec-
iion, became Il subscriber on tho usual terms,
not as Kings generally do but as II gentleman,
and my friends all spoke rs II noun
tain of sovcreigns had dropped In an ample
purse at once and for me. Tho Duchess
OF Clarence also subscribed" Every body. how
over. was not as obIigng as George ~. On
Feb. %, 1928, the following experience is re.
corded: "'O.any called by appointment on the
Earl OF KinnOul, n small man. with n face like
the CRricaLuTe OF AN OWL he said he had sent for
me to tell me nj my birds were alike; and he con.
sidered my work swindle He may really think
this, his knowledge Is probably small, but i, is
not the custom TO send for "A gentleman to abuse
him in ones own house. heard his words.
bowed, and. without speaking left the rudcst
man have met In this land: but he is only 30,
and let us hope may yet learn how to behave to
q perfect stranger under his roof"
remarkably profitable. he never could bring
himself to like the British metropolis. Often in
his journals we come Oh such exclamation as
Tho following: "Dh, how dull | feel: how long
am TO be confined in this immense Jail In
London, amid all the pleasures. l feel unhappy
and dull; the days are heavy, the nights worse.
Shall never again sce and enjoy the vast for.
ests In their calm purity, the beauties of Amcri.
ca i wish myself anywhere but in London.
Why do dislike London Is II because tho
constant evidence OF the contrast between rich
and poor is a torment To me. or is 1t because OF
its sizo and crowdl ! know not, but long
for sights and sounds OF a different nature"