FINAL WORK DAYS 265 



In the first place you must have been most unmercifully mis- 

 led by the "mutual friend" of whom you speak, when saying 

 that through that individual you did understand that I never 

 used your name as a coadjutor in the work, which is now pub- 

 lishing on the Quadrupeds of North America under the names 

 of both I and you — Why you should have taken such a report 

 or saying as truth is actually beyond my most remote thought, 

 and again, why did you not long ago, write to me at once on 

 this mysterious subject. 



But to put an end to all this stuff, let me assure you that 

 nothing of the kind has ever taken place, and this I could well 

 prove by upwards of one hundred of our last subscribers, all of 

 whom would be ready to testify that before receiving their 

 names on my list, I always mentioned your name to each of 

 them, and many that know you were glad that I had so good 

 and so learned a man at my elbow — I should amazingly be glad 

 to know who the "mutual friend" is, as I think I could give 

 him a lesson on propriety, being a mutual friend, that would 

 serve that kind gentleman for the residue of his life — But 

 enough of this, and all that I am sorry for is that you should 

 not have answered "my short letters," in some of which I par- 

 ticularly requested you to forward me a fine black bear and 

 one or two wolves, by which you would have saved me fully fifty 

 dollars as I have had to pay sixty dollars for two of these vile 

 rascals, and two hundred dollars for a pair of Elks, besides 

 paying the highest of prices to draw other animals — 



Now my friend I wish you would set in real earnest, and 

 whenever it is convenient to you in preparing the letter-press 

 for our work. I have made a beginning and have written Ten 

 articles already in days, to wit all the plates of N° 1, and 

 the first of N° 2 which are as follows — 



Lynx Rufus — Wild-Cat 



Arctomys monax — ^Maryland Marmot 



Lepus Townsendii 



Neotoma Floridana 



Sciurus Richardsonii 



Canis (Vulpes) fulvus 



