33G AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



that he had left Philadelphia for New York on the day 

 before, "in good health, free from debt, and free from 

 anxiety about the future." Sully had given him glow- 

 ing letters of introduction to Gilbert Stuart, Washing- 

 ton Allston and Colonel Trumbull, but then as now mid- 

 summer was not a propitious time to find city people 

 at home, and he began to consider the advisability of 

 visiting both Albany and Boston. Alternately elated 

 or depressed by the prospects of the day or the hour, 

 Audubon wrote on August 4 that he had called with a 

 letter of introduction on Dr. Mitchell, who had given 

 him "a kind letter to his friend Dr. Barnes." This hur- 

 riedly penciled note from the Nestor of American sci- 

 ence of that day has been carefully preserved, and reads 

 as follows : 12 



Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell to Dr. Barnes 



Mr. A. who brings strong testimonial of excellence from 

 our friends in Pha is now sitting with me — I have been de- 

 lighted and instructed by a Display of his Port Folio contain- 

 ing Drawings Done from Life of North American Birds and 

 illustrating the Connect, of ornithology with Botany, he has 

 Superior attainments & skill in the natural sciences which he 

 has cultivated for more than 20 y. 



he wishes to show his Elegant performances to the Mem- 

 bers of the Lyceum and to be made a Member of that Society — 

 it is his intention to Leave this City for Boston on Sunday 

 morning. Meanwhile I recommend him to your good offices. 



Yours Truly as ever 



Sam, L. Mitchell, 

 Aug t 4 t 1824 



12 For the favor of examining a collection of interesting autograph 

 letters written to Audubon in Europe and America, some of which are 

 here reproduced, I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Henry R. Howland, 

 secretary of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. This note was written 

 on a narrow strip of manila-colored drawing paper. 



