John James Audubon | Page 8

had already taken my 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.' Whether Mr. Wilson understood 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 person 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
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
objection 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 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 afterward 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."
Wilson's account of this meeting is in curious contrast to that of
Audubon. It is meagre and unsatisfactory. Under date of March 19, he
writes in his diary at Louisville: "Rambled around the town with my
gun. Examined Mr. ----'s [Audubon's] drawings in crayons--very good.
Saw two new birds he had, both Motacillae."
March 21. "Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr. A. Saw a
number of Sandhill cranes. Pigeons numerous."
Finally, in winding up the record of his visit to Louisville, he says, with
palpable inconsistency, not to say falsehood, that he did not receive one
act of civility there, nor see one new bird, and found no naturalist to
keep him company.
Some years afterward, Audubon hunted him up in Philadelphia, and
found him drawing a white headed eagle. He was civil, and showed
Audubon some attention, but "spoke not of birds or drawings."
Wilson was of a nature far less open and generous than was Audubon.
It is evident that he looked upon the latter as his rival, and was jealous
of his superior talents; for superior they were in many ways. Audubon's
drawings have far more spirit and artistic excellence, and his text shows
far more enthusiasm and hearty affiliation with Nature. In accuracy of
observation, Wilson is fully his equal, if not his superior.
As Audubon had deserted his business, his business soon deserted him;
he and his partner soon became discouraged (we hear no more about

the riches Rozier had acquired), and resolved upon moving their goods
to Hendersonville, Kentucky, over one hundred miles further down the
Ohio. Mrs.