274 John Bacliman. 



To Victor Audubon. 



Charleston, August 24th, 1849. 



AVe arrived at home, day before yesterday. The 

 best news I can give you is that my health continues 

 to improve ; the next best news, that the Second 

 Vohime is ahnost finished. I have only to be sure 

 of my Latin descriptions (I had left my Latin Dic- 

 tionary at home.) 



Maria and Haskell have a little copying to do, 

 and then the book will be readv for the press. 



J. B. 



The gold-fever was then at its height at the North. 

 Mr. John Audubon was the leader of an expedition 

 to California, in 1849. 



From Victor Audubon. 



My brother will leave us in a few days for Cali- 

 fornia, he will be absent, perhaps for eighteen 

 months. 



This journey is undertaken with the hope that he 

 may be able to get gold. What may be the result, 

 God only knows John will be accompanied by Col. 

 H. L. Webb, as military leader ; the party consists of 

 about eight}^ picked men. One of Dr. Mayer's sons 

 wished to go with John, but unluckily, his applica- 

 tion came after the party was made up, so they 

 could not take him. 



I should like much to see you all, but now it will 

 be impossible for me to go so far from home. 



My dear old father is apparently comfortable, and 

 enjoys his little notions; but requires constant care 

 and attendance ; the rest are well. Your grand- 

 daughters are growing finely, and are well educated ; 

 soon we shall call in a '' maitre de danse," to polish 



