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Art. I. Retrospective Criticism. 



Mr. Audubon, Jwrc., ?w ifep/j/ to Mr. Waterton* s Remarks 

 (p. 215.) on Audubon's Biography of Birds. — Sir, Mr. Charles 

 Waterton having asserted (p. 215.) that Mr. Audubon was 

 not the author of the Ornithological Biography, and that 

 " he possesses undeniable proof that, when Mr. Audubon was 

 in England, he did actually apply to a gentleman to write his 

 history of the birds for him," I do not feel willing to permit 

 such an assertion to pass uncontradicted during my father's 

 absence from England. 



I have the authority of the gentleman Mr. Waterton refers 

 to, in stating that " Mr. Audubon's proposal to him was to 

 obtain his assistance in the scientific details, and in no other 

 part of the work whatsoever;" and further, I have the 

 authority of this gentleman, for stating his " firm conviction, 

 arising from personal intercourse and the perusal of the 

 original manuscripts, that Mr. Audubon, and no other per- 

 son, is the bondjide author of the Ornithological Biography. 



I shall not notice Mr. Waterton further, except to ex- 

 press my thanks for his generous conduct, in withholding 

 his attacks on Mr. Audubon for two years after the book in 

 question was published, and during the time the author was 

 in England, and bringing these charges forward when my 

 father has returned to the forests of America, and is unable 

 to answer for himself. 



Should my father hereafter think it worth his while to 

 notice Mr. Waterton, he will be quite able, on his return to 

 England, to prove the correctness of all that he has said on 

 the natural history of America. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — 

 V. G. Audubon. 121. Great Portland Street, June 7. 1833. 



Observations on Mr. Waterton 's Attacks on Mr. Audubon. 

 (p. 215.) — Sir, The biography of men who have devoted 

 their lives to the acquisition of knowledge, led on by a lofty 

 enthusiasm in pursuit of a favourite science, regardless of 

 danger, and foregoing the pleasures and comforts of civilised 

 life, — I say, the biography of such men is particularly in- 

 structive ; but it frequently presents us with facts not very 

 creditable to human nature. Numerous are the instances of 

 Vol. VI.-— No. 34. bb 



