Letter to M. Van Bur en. 395 



whose splendid work on American ornithology must of 

 course be well known to you. That work, while it re 

 fleets such great credit on our country, and contributes so 

 largely to the advancement of one of the most delightful 

 departments of science, is likely, from the extreme ex- 

 pense attendant upon it, to repay but poorly the indefati 

 gable labor of a lifetime. The high price necessarily put 

 on the copies of Mr. Audubon's magnificent work places 

 it beyond the means of the generality of private individ- 

 uals. It is entitled therefore to the especial countenance 

 of our libraries and various other public institutions. It 

 appears to me, that the different departments in Washing- 

 ton ought each to have a copy deposited in their libraries 

 or archives. Should you be of the same opinion you 

 might be of great advantage in promoting such a meas- 

 ure." 



Reference is then made to the assistance rendered to 

 Audubon by the revenue cutters and public vessels, and 

 the letter continues : 



" I trust similar facilities will still be extended to him ; 

 in fact, as his undertakings are of a decidedly national 

 character, and conducive of great national benefit, the 

 most liberal encouragement in every respect ought to be 

 shown to him on the part of our government. 

 I am, my dear Sir, 



Your attached Friend, 



WASHINGTON IRVING." 

 "THE HONORABLE MARTIN VAN BUREN." 



"November 8. Called on Colonel Abert, who received 

 me with his wonted civility, promised to assist me in all 

 my desires, and walked with me to the President's, to pre- 

 sent my letters. There we found Colonel Donaldson and 

 Mr. Earle, both nephews, I believe, of General Jackson t 

 and ii.' a moment I was in the presence of this famed 



