nuns, that might as well be struck off the calendar of animated
beings. They stirred not, they spoke not, they saw not; they replied
neither by word nor gesture to the few remarks I made. In the woods of
America I have never been in such silence; for in the most retired
places I have had the gentle murmuring streamlet, or the sound of the
Woodpecker tapping, or the sweet melodious strains of that lovely
recluse, my greatest favorite, the Wood Thrush. The great poverty of
the country struck me everywhere; the peasantry are beggarly and
ignorant, few know the name of the _Departement_ in which they live;
their hovels are dirty and uncomfortable, and appear wretched indeed
after Paris. In Paris alone can the refinements of society, education,
and the fine arts be found. To Paris, or to the large cities, the
country gentleman must go, or have nothing; how unlike the beautiful
country homes of the English. I doubt not the "New Monthly" would cry
out: "Here is Audubon again, in all his extravagance." This may be
true, but I write as I think I see, and that is enough to render me
contented with my words. The passage from Calais was short, and I was
free from my usual seasickness, and London was soon reached, where I
have been busy with many letters, many friends, and my work. I have
presented a copy of my birds to the Linnaean Society, and sold a little
picture for ten guineas. And now I must to work on the pictures that
have been ordered in France.
_November 7._ To-day is of some account, as Mr. Havell has taken the
drawings that are to form the eleventh number of my work. It will be
the first number for the year 1829. I have as yet had no answer from
the Linnaean Society, but thou knowest how impatient my poor nature
always is.
_November 10._ I have been painting as much as the short days will
allow, but it is very hard for me to do so, as my Southern
constitution suffers so keenly from the cold that I am freezing on the
side farthest from the fire at this very instant. I have finished the
two pictures for the Duc d'Orleans; that of the Grouse I regret much
to part with, without a copy; however, I may at some future time group
another still more naturally.
_November 15._ We have had such dismal fog in this London that I could
scarcely see to write at twelve o'clock; however, I did write nearly
all day. It has been extremely cold besides, and in the streets in the
middle of the day I saw men carrying torches, so dark it was.
_November 17._ I anticipated this day sending all my copies for Paris,
but am sadly disappointed. One of the colorers employed brought a
number so shamefully done that I would not think of forwarding it. It
has gone to be washed, hot pressed, and done over again. Depend upon
it, my work will not fail for the want of my own very particular
attention.
_December 23._ After so long neglecting thee, my dear book, it would
be difficult to enter a connected account of my time, but I will trace
the prominent parts of the lapse. Painting every day, and I may well
add constantly, has been the main occupation. I have (what I call)
finished my two large pictures of the Eagle and the Lamb, and the Dog
and the Pheasants, and now, as usual, can scarce bear to look at
either. My friends the Swainsons have often been to see me, and good
Bentley came and lived with me for a month as a brother would. I
parted from him yesterday with pain and regret. Several artists have
called upon me, and have given me _false praises_, as I have heard
afterwards, and I hope they will keep aloof. It is charity to speak
the truth to a man who knows the poverty of his talents and wishes to
improve; it is villanous to mislead him, by praising him to his face,
and laughing at his work as they go down the stairs of his house. I
have, however, applied to one whom I _know_ to be candid, and who has
promised to see them, and to give his opinion with truth and
simplicity; this is no other, my Lucy, than the president of the Royal
Academy, Sir Thomas Lawrence. The steady work and want of exercise has
reduced me almost to a skeleton; I have not allowed myself the time
even to go to the Zoological Gardens.
_December 26._ I dined yesterday (another Christmas day away from my
dear country) at a Mr. Goddard's; our company was formed of Americans,
principally sea-captains. During my absence Sir Thomas Lawrence came
to see my paintings, which were shown to him by Mr. Havell, who
reported as follows. On seeing the Eagle and Lamb he said, "That is a
fine picture." He examined it closely, and was shown that of the
Pheasants, which I call "_Sauve qui peut_." He approached it, looked
at it sideways, up and down, and put his face close to the canvas, had
it moved from one situation to two others in different lights, but
gave no opinion. The Otter came next, and he said that the "animal"
was very fine, and told Havell he would come again to see them in a
few days. I paid him my respects the next morning, and thought him
kinder than usual. He said he would certainly come to make a choice
for me of one to be exhibited at Somerset House, and would speak to
the Council about it.
* * * * *
The remaining three months before Audubon sailed for America, April 1,
1829, were passed in preparations for his absence from his book, and
many pages of his fine, close writing are filled with memoranda for
Mr. Havell, Mr. J. G. Children, and Mr. Pitois. Audubon writes: "I
have made up my mind to go to America, and with much labor and some
trouble have made ready. My business is as well arranged for as
possible; I have given the agency of my work to my excellent friend
Children, of the British Museum, who kindly offered to see to it
during my absence. I have collected some money, paid all my debts, and
taken my passage in the packet-ship 'Columbia,' Captain Delano. I
chose the ship on account of her name, and paid thirty pounds for my
passage. I am about to leave this smoky city for Portsmouth, and shall
sail on April 1." The voyage was uneventful, and America was reached
on May 1. Almost immediately began the search for new birds, and those
not delineated already, for the continuation and completion of the
"Birds of America."
[Illustration: EAGLE AND LAMB. PAINTED BY AUDUBON, LONDON, 1828. IN
THE POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY.]
FOOTNOTES:
[65] This sounds involved, but is copied verbatim.
[66] Mr. Wm. Rathbone, of the firm of Rathbone Bros. & Co., to whom
Audubon had a letter from Mr. Vincent Nolte. To Messrs. Wm. and
Richard Rathbone, and their father Wm. Rathbone, Sr., Audubon was more
deeply indebted than to any other of his many kind friends in England.
Their hospitality was only equalled by their constant and valuable
assistance in preparing for the publication of the "Birds," and when
this was an assured fact, they were unresting in their efforts to aid
Audubon in procuring subscribers. It is with pleasure that Audubon's
descendants to-day acknowledge this indebtedness to the "family
Rathbone," which is ever held in grateful remembrance.
[67] William Roscoe, historical, botanical, and miscellaneous writer,
1753-1831.
[68] In a charming letter written to me by Mr. Richard R. Rathbone,
son of this gentleman, dated Glan y Menai, Anglesey, May 14, 1897, he
says: "To us there was a halo of romance about Mr. Audubon, artist,
naturalist, quondam backwoodsman, and the author of that splendid work
which I used to see on a table constructed to hold the copy belonging
to my Uncle William, opening with hinges so as to raise the bird
portraits as if on a desk. But still more I remember his amiable
character, though tinged with melancholy by past sufferings; and his
beautiful, expressive face, kept alive in my memory by his autograph
crayon sketch thereof, in profile, with the words written at foot,
'Audubon at Green Bank. _Almost_ happy, 9th September, 1826.' Mr.
Audubon painted for my father, as a gift, an Otter (in oils) caught by
the fore-foot in a steel trap, and after vainly gnawing at the foot to
release himself, throwing up his head, probably with a yell of agony,
and displaying his wide-open jaws dripping with blood. This picture
hung on our walls for years, until my mother could no longer bear the
horror of it, and persuaded my father to part with it. We also had a
full-length, life-sized portrait of the American Turkey, striding
through the forest. Both pictures went to a public collection in
Liverpool. I have also a colored sketch by Mr. Audubon of a Robin
Redbreast, shot by him at Green Bank, which I saw him pin with long
pins into a bit of board to fix it into position for the instruction
of my mother."
[69] At Green Bank.
[70] Vincent Nolte, born at Leghorn, 1779, traveller, merchant,
adventurer.
[71] William Henry Hunt (1790-1864).
[72] Mrs. Alexander Gordon was Mrs. Audubon's sister Anne.
[73] Thomas Stewart Traill, M.D., Scottish naturalist, born in Orkney,
1781; edited the eighth edition of the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," was
associated with the Royal Institute at Liverpool; he died 1862.
[74] The Swiss historian, born at Geneva, 1773, died 1842.
[75] Daughter of Mr. William Rathbone, Sr.; married Dr. William
Reynolds.
[76] Edward, fourteenth Earl of Derby, 1799-1869. Member of
Parliament, Chief Secretary for Ireland, Secretary for the Colonies,
First Lord of the Treasury, and Prime Minister. Translated Homer's
Iliad into blank verse. His was a life of many interests: literature,
art, society, public affairs, sportmanship, and above all "the most
perfect orator of his day."
[77] Mrs. Wm. Rathbone, Sr., whom Audubon often calls "Lady Rathbone,"
and also "The Queen Bee."
[78] Muzio Clementi, composer and pianist, born in Rome, 1752, died in
London, 1832. Head of the piano firm of that name.
[79] Relative of Mr. Wm. Rathbone, Sr.
[80] The Irwell.
[81] William Smyth, 1766-1849, poet, scholar, and Professor of Modern
History at Cambridge.
[82] Henry Clay.
[83] John Randolph of Roanoke, 1773-1833, American orator and
statesman.
[84] William S. Roscoe, son of William Roscoe, 1781-1843.
[85] I believe Mr. Robert Bentley, the publisher.
[86] Robert Jameson, the eminent Scotch naturalist, 1774-1854. Regius
Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. Founder
of the Wernerian Society of that city, and with Sir David Brewster
originated the "Edinburgh Philosophical Review." Wrote many works on
geology and mineralogy.
[87] Andrew Duncan, M.D., 1745-1828. Lecturer in the University of
Edinburgh.
[88] Patrick Neill, 1776-1851, Scottish naturalist and
horticulturalist. Was a printer in Edinburgh at this time.
[89] Prideaux John Selby, English ornithologist, author of "British
Birds" and other works; died 1867.
[90] Lord Francis Jeffrey, 1773-1850, the distinguished Scottish
critic and essayist.
[91] Sir William Jardine.
[92] W. H. Lizars, the engraver who made a few of the earliest plates
of the "Birds of America."
[93] Scottish naturalist, 1800-1874. Published "Naturalists' Library"
and other works.
[94] James Wilson, brother of Professor John Wilson (Christopher
North), naturalist and scientific writer, 1795-1856.
[95] George Combe, an eminent phrenologist and author on that subject.
Born and died in Edinburgh, 1788-1856.
[96] David Bridges, editor of one of the Edinburgh newspapers.
[97] John Syme. His portrait of Audubon was the first one ever
engraved.
[98] Charles Waterton, English naturalist and traveller,
1782-1865,--always an enemy of Audubon's.
[99] This seal Audubon always used afterwards, and it is still in the
possession of the family.
[100] Robert Graham, Scottish physician and botanist, born at
Stirling, 1786, died at Edinburgh, 1845.
[101] David Brewster, author, scientist, and philosopher, Edinburgh,
1781-
[102] Dugald Stewart, Professor of Moral Philosophy, author, etc.,
Edinburgh, 1753-1828.
[103] Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin. 1777-1841.
[104] Wm. Forbes Skene, Scottish historian.
[105] Afterwards Sir William Allan, historical painter; in 1833 was
elected president of the Scottish Royal Academy, Edinburgh. 1782-1850.
[106] An eminent divine 1784-1858; father of Dr. John Brown, author of
"Rab and his Friends," etc.
[107] William Nicholson, First Secretary of the Scottish Academy and
portrait painter. 1784-1844.
[108] Traveller and author. 1788-1844.
[109] Robert Kaye Greville, author of "Plants of Edinburgh" and other
botanical works, 1794-1866.
[110] This entry begins a new blank book, in shape and size like a
ledger, every line of which is closely written.
[111] Spencer Perceval, born 1762, assassinated in the lobby of the
House of Commons, May 11, 1812.
[112] "Jan. 22, 1827. A visit from Basil Hall with Mr. Audubon the
ornithologist, who has followed that pursuit by many a long wandering
in the American forests. He is an American by naturalization, a
Frenchman by birth, but less of a Frenchman than I have ever seen,--no
dash, no glimmer or shine about him, but great simplicity of manners
and behaviour; slight in person and plainly dressed; wears long hair
which time has not yet tinged; his countenance acute, handsome, and
interesting, but still simplicity is the predominant characteristic."
(Journal of Sir Walter Scott, vol. i., p. 343.)
[113] "January 24. Visit from Mr. Audubon, who brings some of his
birds. The drawings are of the first order--the attitudes of the birds
of the most animated character, and the situations appropriate....
This sojourner of the desert had been in the woods for months
together. He preferred associating with the Indians to the company of
the settlers; very justly, I daresay, for a civilized man of the lower
order when thrust back on the savage state becomes worse than a
savage." (Journal of Sir Walter Scott, vol. i., p. 345.)
[114] Sir John Leslie, 1766-1832, Scottish geometer and natural
philosopher and voluminous author on these subjects.
[115] Joseph B. Kidd, who later copied many of Audubon's birds.
[116] James Baillie Fraser, 1783-1856, Scottish writer of travels.
[117] Mrs. Anne Grant, poetess and miscellaneous writer. Born 1755,
died 1838.
[118] This entry is the only one on a large page, of which a facsimile
is given. It is written in the centre, and all around the edge of the
paper is a heavy black border, an inch in depth.
[119] A distinguished ornithologist said of the book in 1895: "It is
one of the few illustrated books, if not the only one, that steadily
increases in price as the years go on."
[120] One of the greatest metaphysicians of modern times. Born at
Glasgow 1788, died in Edinburgh, 1856.
[121] Possibly Charles Heath, engraver, 1784-1848.
[122] Thomas Bewick was at this time nearly seventy-four. He died Nov.
8, 1828, being then past seventy-five.
[123] Probably St. Mary's Abbey.
[124] Mr. Vernon was the president of the Philosophical Society of
York.
[125] Mr. John Backhouse.
[126] Nearly every entry in all the journals begins and ends with a
morning greeting, and an affectionate good-night. These have been
omitted with occasional exceptions.
[127] Mr. Melly.
[128] John George Children, 1777-1852, English physicist and
naturalist, at this time secretary of the Royal Society.
[129] Robert Inglis, 1786-1855, of the East India Company.
[130] Nicholas Aylward Vigors, 1787-1840, naturalist, First Secretary
of the Zoological Society of London.
[131] Then a boy not fifteen, who was at Bayou Sara with his mother.
[132] When found by Audubon the Havells were in extreme poverty. He
provided everything for them, and his publication made them
comparatively wealthy.
[133] Benson Rathbone.
[134] The distance between these places is about two miles.
[135] The Duck-billed Platypus, _Ornithorynchus paradoxus_ of
Australia.--E. C.
[136] The Andean Eagle is undoubtedly the Harpy, _Thrasaetos
harpyia_.--E. C.
[137] Francois Athanase de Charette, a leader of the Vendeans against
the French Republic; executed at Nantes, on May 12, 1797.
[138] Children's Warbler. Plate xxxv.
[139] Vigors' Warbler. Plate xxx.
[140] Cuvier's Regulus. Plate lv. No bird was named after Temminck by
Audubon.
[141] This decision was made in consequence of various newspaper and
personal attacks, which, then as now, came largely from people who
knew nothing of the matter under consideration. It was a decision,
however, never altered except in so far as regards the Episodes
published in the "Ornithological Biography."
[142] David Don, Scottish botanist, 1800-1840; at this time Librarian
of Linnaean Society.
[143] Thomas Nuttall, botanist and ornithologist; born in England
1786, died at St. Helen's, England, September 10, 1859.
[144] Of all the twenty-six only three are known to be in existence;
the other volumes now extant are all of later date.
[145] Joshua Brookes, 1761-1833, anatomist and surgeon.
[146] Captain (Sir) Edward Sabine accompanied Parry's expedition to
the Arctic regions,--a mathematician, traveller, and Fellow of the
Royal Society, 1819. Born in Dublin, 1788, died in Richmond, 1883.
[147] Adam Sedgwick, geologist. 1785-1873.
[148] William Whewell, 1795-1866, Professor of Moral Philosophy,
Mineralogy, and other sciences.
[149] John Stevens Henslow, botanist, 1796-1861.
[150] Dr. John Kidd, 1775-1851, Professor of Chemistry and Medicine at
Oxford.
[151] Edward Burton, D.D., 1794-1836, Professor of Divinity at Oxford.
[152] William Buckland, D.D., 1784-1856, geologist.
[153] John Claudius Loudon, 1783-1843, writer on horticulture and
arboriculture. In 1828-1836, editor of the "Magazine of Natural
History."
[154] Edward Turner Bennett, 1797-1836, zoologist.
[155] William Swainson, naturalist and writer. Born in England 1789,
emigrated in 1841 to New Zealand, where he died 1855.
[156] This picture is still in the family, being owned by one of the
granddaughters.
[157] Francois Levaillant, born at Paramaribo, 1753; died in France,
1824.
[158] John Edward Gray, 1800-1875, zoologist.
[159] No trace of this portrait can be found.
[160] George Chretien Leopold Frederic Dagobert Cuvier, Baron,
1769-1832; statesman, author, philosopher, and one of the greatest
naturalists of modern times.
[161] Achille Valenciennes, born 1794, French naturalist.
[162] Etienne Geoffroy de St. Hilaire, 1772-1844, French naturalist.
[163] Rene Primevere Lesson, a French naturalist and author, born at
Rochefort, 1794, died 1849.
[164] Isidore Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1805-1861, zoologist.
[165] Son of Andre, Prince d'Essling and Duc de Rivoli, one of the
marshals of Napoleon.
[166] Charles Alexandre Le Sueur, French naturalist. 1778-1846.
[167] Pierre Joseph Redoute, French painter of flowers. 1759-1840.
[168] Francois Gerard, born at Rome 1770, died 1837; the best French
portrait painter of his time, distinguished also for historical
pictures.
[169] Charles d'Orbigny, son of Audubon's early friend, M. le docteur
d'Orbigny.
[170] Count Joseph Jerome Simeon, French Minister of State. 1781-1846.
[171] The words of the secretary were fully verified within a few
months.
THE LABRADOR JOURNAL
1833
INTRODUCTION
The Labrador trip, long contemplated, was made with the usual object,
that of procuring birds and making the drawings of them for the
continuation of the "Birds of America," the publication of which was
being carried on by the Havells, under the supervision of Victor, the
elder son, who was in London at this time. To him Audubon writes from
Eastport, Maine, under date of May 31, 1833:--
"We are on the eve of our departure for the coast of Labrador. Our
party consists of young Dr. George Shattuck of Boston, Thomas Lincoln
of Dennysville, William Ingalls, son of Dr. Ingalls of Boston, Joseph
Coolidge, John, and myself. I have chartered a schooner called the
'Ripley,' commanded by Captain Emery, who was at school with my friend
Lincoln; he is reputed to be a gentleman, as well as a good sailor.
Coolidge, too, has been bred to the sea, and is a fine, active youth
of twenty-one. The schooner is a new vessel, only a year old, of 106
tons, for which we pay three hundred and fifty dollars per month for
the entire use of the vessel with the men, but we supply ourselves
with provisions.[172] The hold of the vessel has been floored, and our
great table solidly fixed in a tolerably good light under the main
hatch; it is my intention to draw whenever possible, and that will be
many hours, for the daylight is with us nearly all the time in those
latitudes, and the fishermen say you can do with little sleep, the air
is so pure. I have been working hard at the birds from the Grand
Menan, as well as John, who is overcoming his habit of sleeping late,
as I call him every morning at four, and we have famous long days. We
are well provided as to clothes, and strange figures indeed do we cut
in our dresses, I promise you: fishermen's boots, the soles of which
are all nailed to enable us to keep our footing on the sea-weeds,
trousers of _fearnought_ so coarse that our legs look like bears'
legs, oiled jackets and over-trousers for rainy weather, and round,
white, wool hats with a piece of oil cloth dangling on our shoulders
to prevent the rain from running down our necks. A coarse bag is
strapped on the back to carry provisions on inland journeys, with our
guns and hunting-knives; you can form an idea of us from this. Edward
Harris is not to be with us; this I regret more than I can say. This
day seven vessels sailed for the fishing-grounds, some of them not
more than thirty tons' burden, for these hardy fishermen care not in
what they go; but _I do_, and, indeed, such a boat would be too small
for us."
The 1st of June was the day appointed for the start, but various
delays occurred which retarded this until the 6th, when the journal
which follows tells its own tale.
Of all the members of the party Mr. Joseph Coolidge, now (1897) living
in San Francisco, is the sole survivor.
M. R. A.
[Illustration: AUDUBON.
From the portrait by George P. A. Healy, London, 1838. Now in the
possession of the Boston Society of Natural History.]
THE LABRADOR JOURNAL
1833
_Eastport, Maine, June 4._ Our vessel is being prepared for our
reception and departure, and we have concluded to hire two extra
sailors and a lad; the latter to be a kind of major-domo, to clean our
guns, etc., search for nests, and assist in skinning birds. Whilst
rambling in the woods this morning, I found a Crow's nest, with five
young, yet small. As I ascended the tree, the parents came to their
offspring crying loudly, and with such perseverance that in less than
fifteen minutes upwards of fifty pairs of these birds had joined in
their vociferations; yet when first the parents began to cry I would
have supposed them the only pair in the neighborhood.
_Wednesday, June 5._ This afternoon, when I had concluded that
everything relating to the charter of the "Ripley" was arranged, some
difficulty arose between myself and Mr. Buck, which nearly put a stop
to our having his vessel. Pressed, however, as I was, by the lateness
of the season, I gave way and suffered myself to be imposed upon as
usual, with a full knowledge that I was so. The charter was signed,
and we hoped to have sailed, but to-morrow is now the day appointed.
Our promised Hampton boat is not come.
_Thursday, June 6._ We left the wharf of Eastport about one o'clock P.
M. Every one of the male population came to see the show, just as if
no schooner the size of the "Ripley" had ever gone from this mighty
port to Labrador. Our numerous friends came with the throng, and we
all shook hands as if never to meet again. The batteries of the
garrison, and the cannon of the revenue cutter, saluted us, each
firing four loud, oft-echoing reports. Captain Coolidge accompanied
us, and indeed was our pilot, until we had passed Lubec. The wind was
light and ahead, and yet with the assistance of the tide we drifted
twenty-five miles, down to Little River, during the night, and on
rising on the morning of June 7 we were at anchor near some ugly
rocks, the sight of which was not pleasing to our good captain.