2o8 Life of Audubon, 



works at a price which a common laborer would have 

 thought Httle more than sufficient remuneration for his 

 work ? To give you an idea of my actual difficulties during 

 the publication of my first volume, it will be sufficient to 

 say, that in the four years required to bring that volume 

 before the world, no less than fifty of my subscribers, re- 

 presenting the sum of fifty-six thousand dollars, aban- 

 doned me I And whenever a few withdrew I was forced 

 to leave London, and go to the provinces to obtain others 

 to supply their places, in order to enable me to raise the 

 money to meet the expenses of engraving, coloring, pa- 

 per, printing, &c. ; and that with all my constant exer- 

 tions, fatigues, and vexations, I find myself now having 

 but one hundred and thirty standing names on my list. 



" England is most wealthy, and among her swarms of 

 inhabitants there are many whom I personally know, and 

 to whom, if I were to open my heart, there would be a 

 readiness to help me for the sake of science j but my 

 heart revolts from asking such a favor, and I will con- 

 tinue to trust in that Providence which has helped me 

 thus far." 



The sixth volume of the journal abruptly ends with 

 the above paragraph. But intimations are given in the 

 last chapter, of Audubon's intention to return to America 

 as soon as possible. He knew of regions which he had 

 not explored, where he felt confident he could make large 

 additions of new birds to his collection : and anxious to 

 enrich his store, after making the same careful prepara- 

 tions as before to have his work go on during his absence, 

 he sailed once more for his native land. 



On September 3, 1831, Audubon landed in New York. 

 After spending a few days with relatives and friends he 

 went to Boston, and was hospitably received by his 

 friends. There he remained but a short time, having re- 

 solved to spend the winter in East Florida. 



