The Quadrupeds. 179 



synopsis for the " Small Edition of the Birds' Tlie 

 size and the plates, etc., please me veiy 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 j^our readers much per- 

 plexity. *t* ****** 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 bnxls ; 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 



