Why are you so sad? I would lay ten shillings that old Havell has been disappointing you as he has done me. He is in matters of business a complete daudle—an old woman, and I have done with him. His son I think better of he has a good idea of punctuality in business.... In one of your walks I hope you have thought about the French Wine that we talked so much about and have ascertained the particulars from your friend, so that we may order a cask. I hope you have not mistaken the price,—for if not, nothing that can be drank in this country is one half as cheap.
In the following letter Swainson refers to the second series of his Zoölogical Illustrations,[365] the sale of which was irritating him, and to N. A. Vigors, with whom he had entered upon a notorious controversy in 1828:
William Swainson to Audubon
18 January, 1829.
My Dear Mr. Audubon,
I write this in utter uncertainty whether it will find you in London. My first number has now been out three weeks—it has been seen and universally admired, and how many copies do you think the Publisher has sold? now pray guess as the Americans say. 100—no. twentyfive, no. fifteen, no. ten? yes. positively ten copies and no more, has been sold. I blush almost to confess this mortification to even, you, but so it is. Now, my dear Sir, what am I to think of the "generally diffused taste," as the phrase is, for Natural History.
This allthough vexing to me, may be a consolation to you, who are able to exhibit on what I call your Red Book the names of a good portion of 150 subscribers to a 200 guinea Book. Think yourself my friend exceedingly well off.
The amount of sale must be kept silent, it would be a nice nut to crack for V [igors]. & his friends.
I shall be able to do without the water birds, if you have not found any.