AUDUBON IN LONDON 405 



said, "that now I could make better compositions, and 

 select better plants than when I drew mainly for amuse- 

 ment." In order to raise the necessary funds, he re- 

 sorted again to picture painting, his never failing re- 

 source, and worked in oil colors daily from morning light 

 until dusk, unless called to Havell's to decide some ques- 

 tion of necessary detail. The following letters to 

 Swainson shed further light on this work and on the 

 progress of The Birds of America, the eighth number of 

 which was published early in July: 



Audubon to William Swainson 



London, July 1st 1828. 

 My dear Sir. — 



I have been expecting to have the pleasure of seeing you for 

 upwards of a week, having mentioned in your last note that 

 you intended spending a couple of days in London before the 

 end of June. — When are you coming? — the beautifull lamb 

 came quite safe and is now on the canvas (in efigy) for ages to 

 come — I bought a superb Golden Eagle from Mr. Cross that 



also has helped to fill it [Here apparently some words 



have been deleted, and it is impossible to read them.] I long 

 to shew them to you. — I have finished the picture of the Tur- 

 keys, and painted a white headed eagle — in fact I have worked 

 from 4 every morning untill dark — but the best news I have 

 to tell is ; that I have received 4 letters from my wife, one dated 

 2nd of May, all well— but not quite settled about coming before 

 the end of summer. I have changed quarters and am now at 

 79 Newman Street Oxford Street, in Mr. Havell's house where 

 I have taken 3 rooms and feel more comfortable although I 

 have not the little piece of ground to walk on. — I imagine the 

 country to be now quite beautifull and had I time to spare 

 would walk out to see you Mrs S & the dear little folks at 

 Tittenhanger Green.— I received a visit on Saturday last of 

 the whole of Lord Milton's family who after complimenting the 

 author of the "Birds of America" very kindly subscribed for 



