130 Jo] in Bachnian. 



over the " Charleston Bridge," we, at last found out 

 where the "White Cranes" fed; how you cheated 

 me out of a shot ; and how we hung up the fellows 

 by their long necks on the bushes. 



I am ver}^ much gratified to hear l>y yours of the 

 11th, inst., that your son Victor arrived safely, and 

 that he is doing well in England ; and that your 

 work is prospering. You are aware that I have al- 

 ways had some fears that 3^our work, (so very expen- 

 sive), might embarrass you in a pecuniary point of 

 view. Your son being an active man and acquaint- 

 ed with business, may be of immense service to you. 

 If pecuniary difficulties are overcome, (and I trust 

 that they will be by active exertions,) your work 

 may be completed, even though you should not live 

 C'to give it a finishing hand. In a very short time, 

 you will have drawn the greater part of the known 

 American Birds, and you have very judiciously 

 and carefully written their habits. There are many 

 Avho can put them together in histories. Since your 

 last visit to England, you have done wonders. The 

 drawings you have made, and the information col- 

 lected from Florida, Carolina, Labrador and New 

 England, are invaluable. No Ornithologist in the 

 world has enjoyed all the advantages wdiich you 

 have possessed. 



When I spoke of your obstinacy, I meant it as a 

 compliment, and I am glad that you understood 

 me ; and yet you are not as obstinate as your pred- 

 ecessor, Wilson, who was ready to quarrel with a 

 man because he differed from him in opinion. I 

 liked Wilson because he studied nature; I like you 

 because you give theory to the dogs ; because you 

 give to the opinions of others just as much as they 

 are worth ; because you will examine and judge for 

 yourself, and because you study, where every Natu- 

 ralist ought, in the wide field of Nature. How difi'er- 



