204 
Coues : “ Behind the Veil .” 
\Letter fromW. Mac Gillivray, superscribed to 11 John J. Audubon, Esq T * Mr. 
Havell, 77 Oxford St. London.” now in the possession of Jos. M. Wade , 
Rockville, Conn., and hitherto unpublished.'] 
Edinburgh, 11 Gillmore Place. 
28th May 1834. 
Dear Sir, 
I am glad to hear of your safe arrival, which I did not expect so soon, 
and pleased to find you in good health and high spirits. As you have the 
kindness to inquire respecting myself and family, I am happy to inform 
you that we are all very well, contented and busy. My head and hands 
are quite full — abundance of work, and sufficient pay — time to ramble 
now and then for the purpose of hammering rocks, pulling plants, and 
shooting birds. 
You say you have accumulated a mass of materials which you are desi- 
rous of seeing in print, and propose that I should revise it as before. I 
shall be glad to do so, if you please, and willing that you confer the ben- 
efit on another, if you find it expedient. As to the terms, let them be 
such as you please with respect to money ; but as time is valuable to me, 
I should like that arrangements be made so as to prevent unnecessary loss 
of it, by letting me have manuscripts, books, &c. in due array. 
The skins of which you speak I apprehend cannot be disposed of here 
to any great extent ; but I believe shells might be sold to advantage, and 
bring higher prices than in London. 
You ask if I draw Birds yet, with a view to publish. My answer is that 
I dissect, describe, and draw Birds, Quadrupeds, whales, reptiles, and 
fishes, with view of astonishing the world, and bettering my condition. I 
have about a hundred drawings, all the size of life, excepting two dol- 
phins. But I have determined nothing as yet respecting publication. 
Some time ago a friend of mine called on M^ Havell with a letter in which 
I desired that person to engrave for me a few of my drawings, for the pur- 
pose of being exhibited at the meeting of naturalists. I had no answer, 
and so Mr Havell may go to Jericho, or elsewhere, as he lists ; but further 
your correspondent saith not. 
I am decidedly of opinion that, although you should continue the publi- 
cation of the Ornithological Biography, you might bring out various other 
works which could not fail to be popular ; for example, a biography of 
yourself, and sketches of American scenery. But of these matters it is 
impossible to speak to purpose unless I had the pleasure of seeing you, a 
pleasure which I hope I shall have at the time of the general assembly of 
the naturalists. 
With best respects to Mrs. Audubon, and best wishes for the prosperity 
of all who bear that name, I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, yours in 
sincerity, 
W MacGillivray. 
