■ I 



258 



A UDUBON 



good Charles. I have no painting to do to-morrow morn- 

 >ng» or going to bed at two would not do. I was up at 

 three this morning, and finished the third picture since in 

 London. 



June 2S. I have no longer the wish to write my days. 

 I am quite wearied of everything in London ; my work 

 does not proceed, and I am dispirited. 



July 2. I am yet so completely out of spirits that in 

 vain have I several times opened my book, held the pen, 

 and tried to write. I am too dull, too mournful. I have 

 finished another picture of Rabbits; that is all my conso- 

 lation. I wish I was out of London. 



Leeds, September 30, 1827. I arrived here this day, just 

 five months since my first visit to the place, but it is three 

 long months since I tarnished one of thy cheeks, my dear 

 book. I am quite ashamed of it, for I have had several 

 incidents well deserving to be related even in my poor 

 humble style, — a style much resembling my paintings in 

 oil. Now, nevertheless, I will in as quick a manner as 

 possible recapitulate the principal facts. 



First. I removed the publication of my work from 

 Edinburgh to London, from the hands of Mr. Lizars into 

 those of Robert Havell, No. 79 Newman St., because the 

 difficulty of finding colorers made it come too slowly, and 

 also because I have it done better and cheaper in London. 

 I have painted much and visited little ; I hate as much as 

 ever large companies. I have removed to Great Russell 



St., number 95, to a Mrs. W 's, an intelligent widow, 



with eleven children, and but little cash. 



Second. The King ! ! My dear Book I it was presented 

 to him by Sir Walter Waller, Bart., K. C. H., at the request 

 of my most excellent friend J. P. Children, of the British 

 Museum. His Majesty was pleased to call it fine, per- 

 mitted me to publish it under his particular patronage, 

 approbation, and protection, became a subscriber on the 

 usual terms, not as kings generally do, but as a gentleman, 



i 



