AUDUBON IN LONDON 409 



Audubon to William Swainson 



London, Wednesday Augt. 13, 1828. 



My dear Me. Swainson, 



I reached my lodging in great comfort by the side of your 

 amiable Doc 1 * Davie two hours and a half after we shook hands 

 — I wish I might say as much of my Journey through Life. — I 

 have had sad news from my dear wife this morning, she has posi- 

 tively abandoned her coming to England for some indefinite 

 time, indeed she says that she looks anxiously for the day when 

 tired myself of this country I will return to mine and live al- 

 though a humbler (Public) Life, a much happier one — her 

 letter has not raised my already despondent spirits in some- 

 things and at the very instant I am writing to you it may per- 

 haps be well that no instrument is at hand with which a woeful 

 sin might be committed — I have laid aside brushes, thoughts of 

 painting and all except the ties of friendship— I am miserable 

 just now and you must excuse so unpleasant a letter — Would 

 you go to Paris with me? I could go with you any day that 

 you would be please to mention, I will remain there as long and 

 no longer than may suit your callings — I will go with you to 

 Rome or anywhere, where something may be done for either of 

 our advantage and to drive off my very great uncomfortable- 

 ness of thoughts — My two sons are also very much against com- 

 ing to England, a land they say where neither freedom or sim- 

 plicity of habits exist and altogether uncongenial to their mode 

 of life. — What am I to do? As a man of the World and a man 

 possessed of strong unprejudiced understanding I wish that you 

 would advise me. — But now on your account I will change the 

 subject — I called on Newman two days ago & to the following 

 enquiries he gave me yesterday the following answers 

 What the price of 

 1/2 doz best Pure Lake dowards[?] answer 12/ — 



l/ 2 " " Carmin " " 20/— 



l/ 2 " " UltraMarine " " 84/— 



l/ 2 " " Vermillion " " 6/— 



l/ 2 " " Terra di Verona " " 4/— 



