414 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



write, to ask the loan of 80 £ for a few months, and now I 

 will ask it of you. If you was aware of the peculiar feelings 

 which we Englishmen have on such occasions, perhaps you 

 would smile, but so it is that we never ask any one, from whom 

 we have the least idea of a refusal. Now, did I not believe 

 you to be a sincere friend, do you imagine I should have told 

 you I was in want of Money much less have asked you to lend 

 me some. The fact is, I have suffered a severe loss during my 

 being in Paris, what little I had on hand has been spent there 

 and in making preparations for the publication of my Zool. 

 Illustrations. Two or three months however, hard work will 

 bring me round again & repay you. 



Let me see your letter to the President of the Zool. Soc. 

 before it goes, and you shall see mine. 



I shall be most thankful for the Grouse. I send 2 draw- 

 ings to Havell to be engraved spur him on for I want to have 

 every thing ready before the new year. 



Yours most sincerely, 



W. SWAINSON. 



John J. Audubon, Esq. 

 79 Newman St. 



In December the Swainsons invited Audubon to 

 dine with them at Christmas; in his letter Swainson 

 said: 



Why are you so sad? I would lay ten shillings that old 

 Havell has been disappointing you as he has done me. He is 

 in matters of business a complete dandle — an old woman, and 

 I have done with him. His son I think better of he has a good 

 idea of punctuality in business. ... In one of your walks I 

 hope you have thought about the French Wine that we talked 

 so much about and have ascertained the particulars from your 

 friend, so that we may order a cask. I hope you have not mis- 

 taken the price, — for if not, nothing that can be drank in this 

 country is one half as cheap. 



