THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 129 



come to Reading this winter, if not I will stay at home. Give my 

 best respects to every body & believe me, 



Yours affec 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



P. S. I got a copy of Fremont's I & 2 Report the other day. 

 Mother received your draft for the bank interest. 



From John J. Audubon to Spencer F. Baird. 



MINNIE'S LAND, N. Y. 



December 25 th 1845. 

 MY DEAR FRIEND, 



It is indeed a very long time since I have had the pleasure of 

 hearing from you. I hope and trust that you were not offended at 

 my letter, when I wrote to you on the Subject of accompanying our 

 son John to Texas where he is now I hope safe and sound, and I 

 believe at Corpus Christi. 



I wrote to you especially for you to procure for me a specimen 

 in the flesh of the farfamed Cat-amount; and also the one of a Black 

 Fox, also in the flesh. I have at last received a fine Red Fox from 

 our Friend E d . Harris, who although he did not kill it, obtained the 

 Cunning Animal very shortly after its death. I have drawn it the 

 Size of life, and I think made a good figure of it. 



I have been drawing pretty constantly these last past Weeks 

 and have finished 6 plates for the Engravers. I wish you would 

 have the goodness to write to me as soon as you can conveniently, 

 and let me know what you have been a-doing this Sharp cold Weather. 



We are all quite Well, and send you our best Wishes, and a Merry 

 Christmas to yourself, Mother, Sisters, and Brothers all. 



We are hard at Work preparing the letterpress for the I st Vol. 

 of the Quadrupeds, a copy of which I hope to send you about the 

 beginning of April. Do try your best to send me the animals men- 

 tioned in this letter, and with my blessing towards yourself and 

 family, believe me Your ever Sincerely Attached Friend and Servant, 



JOHN J. AUDUBON. 



P. S. You may pay and draw upon us for the price of a black 

 Fox and a Catamount! 

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