The Quadrupeds. 179 



synopsis for the " Small Edition of the Birds" The 

 size and the plates, etc., please me very much. Your 

 synopsis is the best I have seen, though that is not 

 saying very much, for the majority I think bad. I 

 am glad that you have given us this, it will save 

 you much trouble, and your readers much per- 

 plexity. ********* By the time four or five 

 numbers are published, you may turn over the work 

 to your sons; but, till then, you should carefully 

 review every page and plate. The next thing, 

 will be to get subscribers. This would be pur- 

 gatory to me ; but it is necessary for success. While 

 drumming up subscribers, you may obtain speci- 

 mens for the Quadrupeds. These creatures the 

 majority of them nocturnal, and living in conceal- 

 ment are not so easily obtained as birds ; but there 

 are fewer of them, every species is abundant in some 

 locality, and they neither migrate nor fly. You 

 cannot do without me when you come to the ani- 

 mals I know full well so you will have to come 

 and pay me a visit soon. * : 



Love to my daughters and sons, * * * * J. B. 



The following girlish letter is from Harriet Eva 

 to her newly married sister, Eliza (Mrs. Victor Au- 

 dubon) : 



CHARLESTON, February, 1838. 



I have just returned from a visit to the country. 

 Last year when I came home, you were the first to 

 greet me. I cannot realize that you have indeed 

 left us. You don't know how we all miss you. 

 Father, mother, and all, are continually sounding 

 your praise. *****.** 



We are sorry to hear that our dear Ria has 

 suffered so much. She has not written to us since 

 Christmas. I often wish that I could take a peep 



