Under date of December 20, 1832, his friend "had nothing to write but bad news," and hoped "to see our political atmosphere a little brighter. Do not ask me about birds; I do not know a Buzzard from a King Bird.... Oh, what an enjoyment it would be for me to escape, just for one week, from the hydra-headed 'Nullification,' and sit by your side and talk birds!" Audubon was anticipating his third volume of plates, devoted mainly to water birds, which was begun with Number 45, in 1834, when the following letter was sent to his son in London: _Audubon to his Son, Victor_ BOSTON, _Jany, 17th, 1833_—. MY DEAR VICTOR— The Columbia arrived yesterday at New York, and N [icholas]. B [erthoud]. has forwarded us Mr. Havell's letter and yours, both dated 30th. of November last—. I hope soon to see the drawings to work on them—. You give no account of that of The _Bartram Sandpiper_ and of The _Spotted Sandpiper_—; probably they have escaped you—let me know so that I may renew these should they be missing—, but I think my Friend Children has them—enquire— The Charlotte is not yet in. She had not left Deal on the 27th of Nov r.— Your Dear Mother & John wrote to you this morning and you will probably receive this, and that letter at the same moment—. We will keep all the half Bound Copies of Volume 1st. in America where I hope soon to dispose of them—go on and push the Work with care and all will be well—give our best regards to Havell & his wife & family—I had expected the Death of his Father[25] sometimes—remembrances to our good friend Children, Cuthbutton &c., &c. I will be able to arrange 100 Drawings of Water Birds, ready, and in that finest of style for Publication—Tell Havell I will write to him in a very few Days, and to keep up a good Heart—I hope we will all meet early in the Spring of 1834— God bless you my Dear Victor: employ your time well and [you] cannot fail being as Happy, at least as it is possible to be, far away from your Dear Mother, John & Your ever affectionate Father & Friend, JOHN J. AUDUBON Send the Gun & Drawing Paper of N—Largest & Middle Size as quick as possible— [Addressed] VICTOR G. AUDUBON Esqr., Care of ROBT. HAVELL, Esqr., Engraver, 77 Oxford Street, London.