210 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



Victor Gifford Audubon, who had preceded his 

 father to America early in 1839, was married in that 

 year to Mary Eliza, second daughter of John and Har- 

 riet Bachman. This double union of the two naturalists' 

 families called forth mutual congratulations, but Bach- 

 man, who was inconsolable at the departure of his chil- 

 dren, preferred to talk of birds: "By that time," said he, 

 "four or five numbers [of the 'Small Edition of the 

 Birds'] are published, you may turn over the work to 

 your sons; but, till then, you should carefully review 

 every page and plate. The next thing will be to get 

 subscribers. This would be purgatory to me; but it is 

 necessary to success. While drumming up subscribers, 

 you may obtain specimens for the Quadrupeds." When 

 writing again January 13, 1840, Bachman, whose co- 

 operation in the proposed work had been sought, con- 

 tinued : 



The descriptions in the "Small Edition of Birds" will have 

 to be abridged — your "worthy friend" and other humbugs may 

 be left out to advantage. I am not at all surprised at your 

 success at getting subscribers ; but let me say, cities are not 

 the only places to obtain them. Birds sing and nestle among 

 the groves of the country — The planters and farmers are the 

 men to become subscribers. An intelligent planter from the up 

 country said, a few days ago, that if the right person would 

 thoroughly canvass the whole State of South Carolina, he 

 would insure three hundred subscribers to the "Small Work." 

 Old Jostle would be the man, and when his legs failed, the 

 Young Jostle should go forward. Get the Editors to notice 

 your work — this is a puffing world — from the porpoise to the 

 steamboat. 



When we meet, we shall talk about the partnership in the 

 quadrupeds. I am willing to have my name stand with yours, 

 if it will help the sale of the book. The expenses and the profits 



