AUDUBON'S GREATEST TRIUMPH 171 



you, but the most important point contained in it, Dr. Spencer 

 is now at Paris quite well and happy. I have not heard of his 

 supposed intentions to visit Russia, at least not until you have 

 shown yourself in Europe for awhile. When will you come? 

 I have not received one single letter from Dr. Morton since my 

 return to England, and have been the more surprised at this, 

 because I look upon him as a worthy good man and as one 

 whom, since my last visit to him, I cannot but consider as my 

 friend. 



The return of Dr. Townsend to our happy land has filled 

 me with joy, and trebly so when you tell me that he is as 

 friendly disposed to me as I ever have been towards him. I 

 congratulate you my dear friend, in the step which you have 

 so kindly taken in my favour, by first selecting all such Bird- 

 skins as you or Townsend have considered as new, and also in 

 having given freedom to Dr. Morton to pay Dr. Townsend 

 Fifty Dollars for the skins selected by you, under the prudent 

 considerations or restrictions talked of in your letter. May I 

 receive all the Bird skins very soon, for depend upon it, now 

 or never is for me the period to push on my publication. If 

 I have any regret to express it is, that Townsend or Dr. Morton 

 or yourself did not at once forward to me the whole of the Bird 

 skins brought latterly by Townsend, for I can assure you that 

 it has become a matter of the greatest niceity to distinguish the 

 slight though positive species lines of demarkation between our 

 species of Birds — and if on this reaching you, the least doubt 

 exists amongst yourselves respecting any one, why send it to 

 me at once by the very earliest conveyance. If by New York, 

 with letter to N. Berthoud to lose not a day, provided a packet, 

 either to Liverpool or London, is ready to sail ! Had Townsend 

 sent me the whole of his disposible birds, I might now have per- 

 haps been able to have mad[e] him a remittance in cash, which 

 the single arrival of the German Naturalists, who are now in 

 California may hereafter put an end to. Mention this to him, 

 nay, shew him this letter if you please and assure him that I am 

 willing to exert myself in his behalf. Indeed, I wish you to 

 urge him in forwarding me either his own manuscripts or a copy 



