232 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



Baird signed himself "Your affectionate pupil," and 

 added in a postscript: "I forgot to say that I had a 

 fine steak of the wild cat broiled and it tasted like a 

 tender piece of fresh pork. I will certainly eat the whole 

 of the next one obtained. I intend to taste all the Quad- 

 rupeds inhabiting this part of the country." 



Audubon's interesting reply was in part as follows : 



Audubon to Spencer FuUerton Baird 



NEW YORK, Feby. 10, 1842. 



MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND. 



It is about half an hour since I had the real pleasure of 

 receiving your letter of the 8th inst. and my earnest thanks 

 to you for it and its contents; to all of which I will try to 

 answer at your request. 



That beautiful Carlisle, its surrounding hills bordering its 

 valleys, all within the bosom of quiet nature should appear to 

 you as a small affair when compared to our largest city in the 

 Union, is not at all remarkable, but let me ask you the fol- 

 lowing questions. Did you meet all your dear Parents and 

 Friends quite well? Did they not receive you with the kindest 

 of welcomes? Were not their hearts and feelings towards you 

 the same as ever? Surely all this was fact, and being so, would 

 you not after all prefer Little Carlisle than Great New York 

 with all its humbug, rascality, and immorality? Surely or do 

 I mistake your nature sadly, you do ! It is now a good long 

 time since I was young, and resided near Norristown in Penn- 

 sylvania. It was then and is now a very indifferent place as 

 compared with New York; but still my heart and mind often- 

 time dwell in the pleasure that I felt there, and it always re- 

 minds me that within a few miles of that village, my Mother 12 

 did live, and it was there also that my good fortune led me to 

 know and to marry the excellent Wife I have yet, at whose 

 hands yourself have tried to be rendered comfortable. Say 



12 See Vol. I, p. 103. 



