340 AUDUBON 



the "New Monthly" would cry out : "Here is Audubon 

 again, in all his extravagance." This may be true, but I 

 write as I think I see, and that is enough to render me 

 contented with my words. The passage from Calais was 

 short, and I was free from my usual seasickness, and 

 London was soon reached, where I have been busy with 

 many letters, many friends, and my work. I have pre- 

 sented a copy of my birds to the Linnsean Society, and 

 sold a little picture for ten guineas. And now I must to 

 work on the pictures that have been ordered in France. 



November 7. To-day is of some account, as Mr. Havell 

 has taken the drawings that are to form the eleventh 

 number of my work. It will be the first number for the 

 year 1829. I have as yet had no answer from the Lin- 

 naean Society, but thou knowcst how impatient my poor 

 nature always is. 



November 10. I have been painting as much as the 

 short days will allow, but it is very hard for me to do so, 

 as my Southern constitution suffers so keenly from the 

 cold that I am freezing on the side farthest from the fire 

 at this very instant. I have finished the two pictures for 

 the Due d'Orl^ans; that of the Grouse I regret much to 

 part with, without a copy; however, I may at some future 

 time group another still more naturally. 



November 15. We have had such dismal fog in this 

 London that I could scarcely see to write at twelve 

 o'clock; however, I did write nearly all day. It has been 

 extremely cold besides, and in the streets in the middle 

 of the day I saw men carrying torches, so dark it was. 



November 17. I anticipated this day sending all my 

 copies for Paris, but am sadly disappointed. One of the 

 colorers employed brought a number so shamefully done 

 that I would not think of forwarding it. It has gone to 

 be washed, hot pressed, and done over again. Depend 

 upon it, my work will not fail for the want of my own 

 very particular attention. 



