298 AUDUBON 



thought of ever bringing them to public view. To effect 

 this wish of mine, I must find a true, devoted friend who 

 will superintend my work and see to its delivery — this is 

 no trifle in itself. Then I must arrange for the regular 

 payments of twelve months' work, and that is no trifle; 

 but when I consider the difficulties I have surmounted, 

 the privations of all sorts that I have borne, the many 

 hairbreadth escapes I have had, the times I have been 

 near sinking under the weight of the enterprise — ah! 

 such difficulties as even poor Wilson never experienced 

 — what reasons have I now to suppose, or to make me 

 think for a moment, that the omnipotent God who gave 

 me a heart to endure and overcome all these difficulties, 

 will abandon me now. No ! my faith is the same — my 

 desires are of a pure kind; I only wish to enjoy more of 

 Him by admiring His works still more than I have ever 

 done before. He will grant me life, He will support 

 me in my journeys, and enable me to meet thee again in 

 America. 



May 6. I walked early round the Regent's Park, and 

 there purchased four beautiful little Redpolls from a 

 sailor, put them in my pocket, and, when arrived at 

 home, having examined them to satisfy myself of their 

 identity with the one found in our country, I gave them 

 all liberty to go. What pleasure they must have felt ris- 

 ing, and going off over London ; and I felt pleasure too, 

 to know they had the freedom I so earnestly desired. 



May 10. I received a long letter from Charles Bona- 

 parte, and perceived it had been dipped in vinegar to 

 prevent it from introducing the plague from Italy to 

 England. 



June 2. I was at Mr. Swainson's from May 28 till yes- 

 terday, and my visit was of the most agreeable nature. 

 Mr. and Mrs. Swainson have a charming home at Titten- 

 hanger Green, near St. Albans. Mrs. Swainson plays 

 well on the piano, is amiable and kind; Mr. Swainson 



