^1908 I Deane, An Unpublished Letter of John James Audubon. 169 



I have sent one to Chevalier and another to Dr. Parkman.^ I 

 ought to have at this moment 300 copies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, for Washing- 

 ton City and I really think it would be better to stop the publication 

 of the work for one month to effect this. Therefor loose no time in 

 urging Mr. Bowen (write to him) and Chevalier also on this all 

 important subject. 



If ever I was in want of assistance it is at this moment and you 

 my dear Victor must be on the alert and second my endeavors to 

 render you all Happy! I would be delighted to have a few lines 

 fi'om dearest Mamma and Eliza at the end of your next letter, which 

 I hope to receive in immediate answer to this, Here. I have marked 

 all your items in your last letter. Call from time to time at the INIer- 

 cantile Library. I am glad you have remitted to the Rathbone's.^ 

 Do write to ]Mr. Hoppenstall and see the daughter of Capt. Brittan. 

 I was invited last evening to a great ball, and should have gone 

 had not my accident of shin bones prevented me. I am told that I 

 would have had some 20 names there. 



Recollect that our agents name is Gideon B. Smith'' and a most 

 worthy man he is, highly recommended by Robert Gilmor* and 

 others. 



[This is one of the few Audubon letters which I have seen where 

 the signature was omitted.] 



1 Dr. George Parkman, born 1791, died 1849. One of Audubon's warmest friends 

 in Boston, assisting him in many ways. In a letter which Audubon wrote from 

 London, Nov. 18, 1837, to Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, addressed to "My dear young 

 friend," he says: "I send you enclosed the copy of an advertisement of my work, 

 which I wish you to hand over to our most generous friend George Parkman Esq., 

 M. D., and ask of him to have it inserted in one or more of the Boston newspapers 

 as soon as convenient." The account books show that on Jan. 8, 1840, a box was 

 shipped to Dr. Parkman, containing one set full bound of the large work, Birds of 

 America, at $1075; also one set half bound at .S9.50, and the Biography complete at 

 $27.50. Dr. Parkman was also a subscriber to the octavo edition of 1840, as well 

 as to the work on the Quadrupeds. 



2 William and Richard Rathbone, the warmest friends Audubon had in England 

 and whose acquaintance he first made in 1826. The "Flycatcher," a drawing made 

 by Audubon in 1826 and presented to Mrs. Rathbone of "Green Bank," Liverpool, 

 England, also the pencil sketcli of Audubon drawn by himself, are still in the family. 

 These were illustrated in 'Audubon and his Journals' and Miss M. R. Audubon 

 writes me that she saw them during a recent visit to Liverpool. The Rathbone's 

 still possess the folio edition of the 'Birds of America' with Audubon's presentation 

 autograph in each volume. 



3 Gideon B. Smith, M. D., born 1793, died 1867. M. D., University of Maryland, 

 1840. Editor Journal of the American Silk Association, 1839-40. A well known 

 entomologist, authority on the seventeen year locust. 



4 Robert Gilmor, died Nov. 30, 1848. Extensively connected with mercantile 

 affairs. First President of the Academy of Sciences of Baltimore, when incorpo- 

 rated in 1825. An original subscriber to the folio edition, ' Birds of America,' as well 

 as the octavo edition of 1840. 



