[Illustration: JOHN W. AUDUBON'S INSCRIPTION IN A COPY OF VOLUME I OF THE TEXT OF THE "QUADRUPEDS" (ENGLISH EDITION) PRESENTED TO JOHN E. GRAY.] John W. Audubon spent the winter of 1846-47 in London, where he was engaged in painting subjects for his father's work on the _Quadrupeds_. While he was there, arrangements were made for the publication in that city of the first volume of the letterpress; this appeared in May, 1847,[217] closely following the American edition of the previous year, and it was the only European issue of the text of that work. At this time also John Audubon made the acquaintance of the distinguished zoölogist, John Edward Gray, then in charge of the great collections which were being brought together under his direction at the British Museum. Gray was asked to furnish descriptions of the animals which the younger Audubon had painted, but, as will appear from the following letter, he declined:[218] [Illustration: AUDUBON AFTER THE ENGRAVING BY NORDHEIM OF A DAGUERREOTYPE MADE BY BRADY, IN NEW YORK, ABOUT 1848.] [Illustration: AUDUBON AFTER HIS LAST PORTRAIT, A DAGUERREOTYPE MADE IN NEW YORK ABOUT 1850. PUBLISHED BY COURTESY OF CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS.] _John Edward Gray to John Woodhouse Audubon_ _4 May 1847_ BRIT. MUSEUM MY DEAR SIR I am very sorry that I am so occupied that I cannot undertake to furnish you with the descriptions of the American Mammalia which you have figured here but I think you will find that Dr Richardsons descriptions are so accurate and detailed that you had better copy them for the work than have more imperfect descriptions by a less experienced and minute describer. at the same time should Dr Bachman on composing the Work want any note or the distinction between any two species or the description of any one wh have not contained in Richardson Work & he will write to me I shall have great pleasure in immediately replying to his request— Wishing you and your family a pleasant voyage believe me Yours truly J. E. GRAY Bachman was married in 1849 to Maria Martin,[219] his former wife's sister, who had aided Audubon in drawing the accessories of his large plates. While engaged upon the _Quadrupeds_, he wrote to Victor Audubon, from Madison Springs, Georgia, on June 30 of that year, as follows:[220]