AUDUBON IN LONDON 415 
In the following letter Swainson refers to the second 
series of his Zodlogical Illustrations, the sale of which 
was irritating him, and to N. A. Vigors, with whom he 
had entered upon a notorious controversy in 1828: 
William Swainson to Audubon 
18 January, 1829. 
My Dear Mr. Avpvuzon, 
I write this in utter uncertainty whether it will find you in 
London. My first number has now been out three weeks—it 
has been seen and universally admired, and how many copies 
do you think the Publisher has sold? now pray guess as the 
Americans say. 100—no. twentyfive, no. fifteen, no. ten? yes. 
positively ten copies and no more, has been sold. I blush almost 
to confess this mortification to even, you, but so it is. Now, 
my dear Sir, what am I to think of the “generally diffused 
taste,” as the phrase is, for Natural History. 
This allthough vexing to me, may be a consolation to you, 
who are able to exhibit on what I call your Red Book the names 
of a good portion of 150 subscribers to a 200 guinea Book. 
Think yourself my friend exceedingly well off. 
The amount of sale must be kept silent, it would be a nice 
nut to crack for V [igors]. & his friends. 
I shall be able to do without the water birds, if you have 
not found any. 
I have had a most extraordinary letter from Waterton, 
which will highly amuse you. The man is mad—stark, staring 
mad. 
Yours very faith’ly 
W. Swalnson. 
Can you tell me any safe expeditions made of sending and 
receiving letters and Parcels from Philadelphia. 
J. J. Aupuson Esq. 
"9 Newman St. 
Oxford St. 
* The three volumes of this series bear date of 1832-33, but the 
preface is inscribed “Tittenhanger Green St. Albans, 24 th July, 1829.” 
