92 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



say so, and I will. If you can procure one of the double-barrelled 

 Rifles of which you speak do so, and half a dozen good and strong 

 check shirts! J. J. A. 



It is probable from Audubon's next letter that as an 

 additional reason why he should not undertake a journey 

 certain to call for the utmost vigor, Baird's relatives 

 laid stress on the attacks of palpitation of the heart 

 which young Baird had suffered from at times. 



From John J. Audubon to S. F. Baird. 



NEW YORK, February 23, 1843. 

 MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND, 



Your letter of the iyth Inst. reached me yesterday, and I feel 

 truly sorry at the reading its contents. It is in fact with sincerest 

 regret on my part, as well as the whole of my family to hear of the 

 malady under which you at times suffer, and I think with your kind 

 Parents and friends that nothing more injudicious could be to you, 

 than to absent yourself from home. Nay, I would even more recom- 

 mend to you, not to follow your uncle in the Wilds of Schuylkill 

 County, portions of which I have myself visited many years ago. 

 I also think you should be careful in your application to your different 

 studies, but confine yourself periodically only to them, and to take 

 moderate daily exercise, as soon as the weather becomes milder. 

 Since the receipt of your letter, I have concluded to take a Young 

 Gentleman in your stead who is a Neighbor of ours, but who alas 

 is no Naturalist, though a tough, active, and very willing person. 

 Whatever you procure in the way of Quadrupeds that you consider 

 new or very rare, please to save for us, taking notes of their exact 

 measurements, localities, and dates of capture. We all Join in best 

 wishes to you and to all yours, and I remain as ever your Sincerely, 



attached Friend JOHN J. AUDUBON. 



The following letter written by Audubon after his 

 return may not inappropriately find a place here, though 

 out of its chronological order: 



