From J. J. Audubon   12 May 1830

My dear Sir,–

I have now the pleasure of addressing you again from [ill. del. “Old England” the Land of Hospitality and of Science – and at the same time you will allow me to present you my thanks for your continued kind attention whilst I was so far in the Wild Forests of America – our Friend Children has remitted me your letters and the money you remitted for the Numbers of my Work whilst away. – in a few days I will send you No. 16 which would have been delivered a month ago had not Mr Children waited to see me seated at the Royal Society of London, where I was elected a Fellow during my absence.–

Whilst in America I made 50 Drawings; Large, Middle Size, & Small, to replace the same number in my Port Folios with a view to improve upon the old ones; and my Friends at Liverpool, Manchester and Lon having pronounced them superior to any heretofor published & I sincerely hope that they may meet the approbation of my Kind Partners.– Should you come to Town it would give me much pleasure to shew them to you and to shake your friendly hand.–

I have also brought many Skins of Birds &c &c and am pleased to see some of the quadrapus and birds that I shipped from America now at the Zoological Gardens.–

My principal employment will now be to augment my List of Subscribers, but how I am to proceed to effect this to the extent desired in a thing unknown to me – My Work is going on very regularly and I think improving in point of Engraving & Colouring– I am well aware of the many who possess both Taste and Wealth and could I discern the means of shewing the “Birds of America” to them it is probable that a Portion would wish to possess it. – may I beg your advice?–

I left America a fast improving country in many respects, but that department of Science to which I am so devotedly attached to, flourishes only in her Great Forests! I have only 5 Subscribers in the whole of the U. States.– The work is admired but the Price is yet much too great for people who have existed as a Nation less than half a century.–

I hope your Family and the Reverend Mr. Jennings (sic) are quite well and happy – permit me to present them my most respectful remembrances and believe me my Dear Sir

ever Yours much obliged and faithfull|John J Audubon