EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



In the autumn of 1867, the present publishers placed in my 

 hands a large manuscript called the "Life of Audubon," pre- 

 pared by a friend of Mrs. Audubon's, in New York, chiefly con- 

 sisting of extracts from the diary of the great American 

 naturalist. It needed careful revision, and was, moreover, 

 inordinately long. While I cannot fail expressing my admira- 

 tion for the affectionate spirit and intelligent sympathy with 

 which the friendly editor discharged his task, I am bound to 

 say that his literary experience was limited. My business, 

 therefore, has been sub-editorial rather than editorial. I have 

 had to cut down what was prolix and unnecessary, and to 

 connect the vyhole in some sort of a running narrative, — and the 

 result is a volume equal in bulk to about one-fifth of the 

 original manuscript. I believe I have omitted nothing of real 

 interest, but I am of course not responsible in any way for the 

 fidelity of what is given. The episodes, wherever they occur, 

 I have given pretty much in full, as being not only much better 



