THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 155 



will be glad to receive the collection of fishes which you have procured 

 for him, and I know will be most happy to exchange for other fishes 

 or subjects if you should desire any at his hands. 



Please to give your Dear Lady our best love and congratulations 

 on her having such a capitally perfect husband. 



We are all well at present, I have not done anything with the 

 Birds which, indeed, my son Victor has sent to the Academy of Phila- 

 delphia. 15 I suppose I need not look any more for a Black Fox in 

 the flesh from you during the next winter. 



Consider me always, my Dear Friend, 



Your most sincerely attached, 



JOHN J. AuouBON. 18 



Should you procure a black fox, be sure to forward him uncut to 

 our office, New York, 78 John Street. Adieu, and God bless both 

 you and your Dear Wife. 



The letter press will be ready in a few days. I will forward a 

 Copy to you to Philada from whence you can no doubt easily get 

 it. I join my Father, my dear Mr. Baird, in congratulations, and 

 in sincere wishes for your happiness & welfare. 



Yours faithfully, 

 V. G. AUDUBON. 



In January, 1847, Baird began the study of the 

 Danish language. 



About this time the question of a Curator of Natural 

 History or Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution began to be discussed. 



The building was far from complete and the policy 

 of the Institution undecided, but it was known that its 

 functions would include a Museum, under the terms of 

 its charter. 



15 This is a mistake, I brought them back. V. G. A. 



16 The last reference to Mr. Audubon in the Journal (under date 

 of July 1 6, 1847) is "Went to Mr. Audubon's by stage. Found him 

 much changed." Audubon died Jan. 27, 1851, aged 71 years. 



