AUDUBON IN LONDON 405 
said, “that now I could make better compositions, and 
select better plants than when I drew mainly for amuse- 
ment.” In order to raise the necessary funds, he re- 
sorted again to picture painting, his never failing re- 
source, and worked in oil colors daily from morning light 
until dusk, unless called to Havell’s to decide some ques- 
tion of necessary detail. The following letters to 
Swainson shed further light on this work and on the 
progress of The Birds of America, the eighth number of 
which was published early in July: 
Audubon to William Swainson 
Lonpon, July Ist 1828. 
My pear Sir.— 
I have been expecting to have the pleasure of seeing you for 
upwards of a week, having mentioned in your last note that 
you intended spending a couple of days in London before the 
end of June.—When are you coming?—the beautifull lamb 
came quite safe and is now on the canvas (in efigy) for ages to 
come—I bought a superb Golden Eagle from Mr. Cross that 
also has helped to fill it 
have been deleted, and it is impossible to read them.| I long 
to shew them to you.—I have finished the picture of the Tur- 
keys, and painted a white headed eagle—in fact I have worked 
from 4 every morning untill dark—but the best news I have 
to tell is; that I have received 4 letters from my wife, one dated 
Qnd of May, all well—but not quite settled about coming before 
the end of summer. I have changed quarters and am now at 
79 Newman Street Oxford Street, in Mr. Havell’s house where 
I have taken 3 rooms and feel more comfortable although I 
have not the little piece of ground to walk on.—I imagine the 
country to be now quite beautifull and had I time to spare 
would walk out to see you Mrs S & the dear little folks at 
Tittenhanger Green.—I received a visit on Saturday last of 
the whole of Lord Milton’s family who after complimenting the 
author of the “Birds of America” very kindly subscribed for 
[Here apparently some words 
