256 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



London, 12 May, 1869. 

 Dear Boardman: 



I WTote you on the 8th iust. aud as I am writing a few lines 

 to Dr. Brewer I enclose a note to you also, though on the whole 

 there is but little to say. 



By the way, I forgot to ask you when I wrote the other day 

 if you would care for a couple of handsome eggs of the Pine 

 Grosbeak from Lapland. They are still rare and very dear with 

 us, but in purchasing a small collection from Lapland I got four 

 of these eggs cheaper than I expected and shall be very glad to 

 give you two if j^ou will take them. They are in first rate condi- 

 tion. Did I tell you the other day that I had received (long ago) 

 the eggs of Leache's Petrel all right and safe. They were left at 

 the office without the bearer leaving word who had brought them. 

 I -nish Mr. Cullmen had called for I should have been very glad 

 to have seen him at om* house for your sake. 



Our bird preservation bill has passed through Committee of 

 the House of Lords and will soon be law. As soon as printed in 

 regular form I will send you a copy of it as you ^\i^ doubtless be 

 interested in the matter. 



By the way, what do you think of the rumors of war between 

 us and your country? 1 myself don't think there is any fear of a 

 rupture, as there are on both sides plenty of people who liave 

 good sense enough to work against it. There is no doubt we 

 sympathized with the South (I rather more I think) but at the 

 same time the United States in taunting us with it rather reminds 

 me of the Pot calling the Kettle black, for what did the very 

 people who now sing out so loud do as regards the Fenians ? I 

 expect, however, the whole aflair is a mere outcry of demagogues 

 on your side and sensible people will not mind what they say. 



Do you know of any one over here returning to your place, 

 as I want to send you a water-colored painting by the new painter, 

 Keulemans, who now is making himself such a name, and I dare 

 not send it over in the regular way for fear of damage. 1 don't at 

 the present moment know of any one. With kind regards in which 

 Joe joins, believe me, 



Yours truly, 



H. E. Dresser. 



