56 WHAT INDUSTRY MAY DO.

“A young gentleman sat to try my skill. I
finished his phiz, which was approved of. The
merchant then took the chair, and I had the good
fortune to please him also. The room became
crowded with the gentry of the village. Some
laughed, while others expressed their wonder; but
my work went on notwithstanding the observations
that were made. My sitter invited me to spend
the evening with him, which I did, and joined him
in some music on the flute and violin. I returned
to my companion with great pleasure; and you
may judge how much that pleasure was increased
when I found that he also had made two sketches.

“The following day was spent much in the same
manner. I felt highly gratified that from under
my grey coat my talents had made their way, and
I was pleased to discover that industry and mode-
rate abilities prove at least as valuable as first-rate
talents without the former of these qualities. We
left Meadville on foot, having forwarded our bag-
gage by waggon. Our hearts were light, our
pockets replenished, and we walked in two days
to Pittsburgh, as happy as circumstances permitted
us to be.”

Audubon mentions with evident delight the re-
ception he met with in England. Everywhere he
experienced cordiality and ready patronage ; and
before long, artists, men of science, and professors,