Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)Herrick, Francis Hobart
History
Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)
Herrick, Francis Hobart
Audubon, John James, 1785-1851
By the 15th of March Audubon was again in London, and on the 24th he
started for Oxford. Dr. Williams, as he noted in his journal, subscribed
for his _Birds_ in favor of the Radcliffe Library, as did also Dr. Kidd
for the Anatomical School; but, though hospitably treated by all, not
one of the twenty-four colleges of that great University emulated their
example, and the naturalist went away disappointed.
Upon his return to London in early April, Audubon received a call from
John C. Loudon, editor of the _Magazine of Natural History_, and was
invited to contribute to that journal. "I declined," he said, "for I
will never write anything to call down upon me a second volley of abuse.
I can only write _facts_, and when I write these, the Philadelphians
call me a liar." He was then chafing under the criticism which his
rattlesnake stories had produced.[352] On April 6 the persistent Mr.
Loudon called again and offered Audubon eight guineas for an article,
only to be again refused. Still unwilling to admit defeat, the editor
proposed to engage William Swainson to prepare an extended review of
the naturalist's work, and in this he succeeded so well that Audubon
immediately relented and sent him a paper.[353] Swainson offered to
write the review for a copy of the work at its cost price, and Audubon
replied in the following letter:[354]
_Audubon to William Swainson_
LONDON, _April 9th 1828_.
MY DEAR SIR,
Mr. Loudon called on me yesterday and showed me a letter
from you to him, in which many very flattering expressions
respecting myself and my works you are so kind as to offer to
review the latter so as to have your opinion in writting in
time for the first no. of the magazine that will appear next
month.—you also desire that I should send you a sett of the
works as far as publishing which you wish to keep provided
I will let you have it at the price _it costs me._ I assure
you my Dear Sir, that was I to take you at your word it would
be a sore bargain for you as the a/m would be very nearly
double that for which it is sold to my subscribers.—therefore
you will permit me to alter your offer and to say that if it
suits you to pay 35 shillings per number I will be contented;
I would be still more so was I rich enough to present it to
you.—
It is the only set on hand at present except one which I must
have to exhibit.—
The answer respecting the Shrieke [Shrike] has I hope met with
your wishes.—
Ever since I became acquainted with our mutual friend Dr.
Fraill [Traill] I have had a great desire to see and speak to
you & I regret that I never have had an opportunity. My time
is so completely taken up that it is with difficulty that I
can enjoy a day's rest—Should you come to town pray call on
me when I may have the pleasure of shaking your hand and to
assure you verbally that I am truly and sincerely
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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