FINAL WORK DAYS 277 



spond & exchange with him on this subject. I can send him a 

 good many species. 



Please give my love to all your kind family. My wife (to 

 whom two years ago I gave a picture of yourself, as the most 

 acceptable present) sends hers also, and desires exceedingly to 

 see one to whom her husband owes so many obligations of every 

 kind. Believe to be as ever 



Yours most affectionately 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



Audubon's immediate reply was as follows : 



17 



Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Balrd 



MlNNIESLAND. 



Nov. 8th f 1846. 

 MY DEAR FRIEND, 



We were very happy to hear of your Success in obtaining 

 a Professorship. I wish you had been more minute as to the 

 amount of your Salary as I consider 400$ as a very small 

 sum. If you have not a house, fuel, and furniture, &c &c &c to 

 compensate for so small a sum, and having so much to per- 

 form for it. We are all glad that you have a good help- 

 mate in the shape of a wife, and we would be very glad to have 

 you under our roof, even now ; but as the winter is now fast ap- 

 proaching we hope to see you certainly some time next spring, 

 or during the summer, as you know that then our place is 

 worthy to reside at. The fishing is then Capital. The resi- 

 dence of our Friend, W. O. Ayers, is on Long Island, and I 

 think that a letter addressed to him at Sag-Harbor, will be 

 sure to be received by that good Friend of ours. 



He will be glad to receive the collection of fishes which you 

 have procured for him, and I know will be most happy to ex- 

 change for other fishes or subjects if you should desire any 

 at his hands. Please to give your Dear Lady our best love, 

 and congratulations on her having such a capitally perfect 



"For this and the two following letters, see ibid., pp. 66-69. 



