THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 155 
will be glad to receive the collection of fishes which you have procured 
for him, and I know will be most happy to exchange for other fishes 
or subjects if you should desire any at his hands. 
Please to give your Dear Lady our best love and congratulations 
on her having such a capitally perfect husband. 
We are all well at present, I have not done anything with the 
Birds which, indeed, my son Victor has sent to the Academy of Phila- 
delphia.® I suppose I need not look any more for a Black Fox in 
the flesh from you during the next winter. 
Consider me always, my Dear Friend, 
Your most sincerely attached, 
Joun J. Aupuzon." 
Should you procure a black fox, be sure to forward him uncut to 
our office, New York, 78 John Street. Adieu, and God bless both 
you and your Dear Wife. 
The letter press will be ready in a few days. I will forward a 
Copy to you to Philada—from whence you can no doubt easily get 
it. I join my Father, my dear Mr. Baird, in congratulations, and 
in sincere wishes for your happiness & welfare. 
Yours faithfully, 
V. G. AupuBon. 
In January, 1847, Baird began the study of the 
Danish language. 
About this time the question of a Curator of Natural 
History or Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution began to be discussed. 
The building was far from complete and the policy 
of the Institution undecided, but it was known that its 
functions would include a Museum, under the terms of 
its) charter: 
15 This is a mistake, I brought them back. V.G. A. 
16 The last reference to Mr. Audubon in the Journal (under date 
of July 16, 1847) is ““Went to Mr. Audubon’s by stage. Found him 
much changed.” Audubon died Jan. 27, 1851, aged 71 years. 
