AFTER A PORTRAIT PAINTED BY JOHN WOODHOUSE AUDUBON ABOUT 1841, NOW IN POSSESSION OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK. PUBLISHED BY COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
Audubon to Dr. Benjamin Phillips
I went on a tramp to the Canadas, leaving our comfortable abode on the 12th of Sepr. last and was absent for a whole month. My Journey extended to something like 1500 miles: during which I visited for the first time, the North-American Gibralter [Quebec], the sight of which was as new to me as it was wonderful in the days of old. The views (for I must speak in the plural) from the Citadel, are as far as I have seen the grandest and the most sublime I ever gazed upon. The St. Laurence River, is noble indeed, and when we know that that stream carried forth to the Atlantic the congregating waters of all our sea-lakes, we must not be astonished at her great breadth, depth, and strength of current to about 60 miles below Montreal. About the latter city that noble stream is intercepted by many rapids, and a vast number of Islands, the latter of which so intersect the view that in some instances it would prove quite out of the question to discover with certainty either of the main shores. I visited the falls of Montmorency, those of the Rivierre Serria and of La Chandiere. I besides made many an acquaintance and a few very valuable friends. At Quebec I sold a copy of our large Work to the Earl of Caledon who also subscribed to our quadrupeds. At Montreal I sold several Copies of our Small Edition of the Birds of America and procured several good names to the quadrupeds. At Kingston where I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Sir Charles Bagot and family (all delightful persons) I sold two copies of the large work to both Houses of Parliament, and also procured their double subscriptions to the Animals. Thus I returned home highly pleased with all that I had done and seen. The more perhaps because I procured in the meantime most valuable specimens of rare quadrupeds and a fund of information that can never be met with unless on the ground of action....
Our dear "Minnie's Land" is improving as fast as our poor pecuniary means will allow. We have done a good deal since our purchase of it, in a wild state as it was, and next spring we will have a good garden and probably some fruit from our own young trees, of which we have planted nearly 200 of the very best description, including pears, aples, quinces, apricote, plumbs, vines, nectarines, apricotes, etc., etc.... We have fish whenever we draw the seine, and this summer we have caught one sturgeon that measured upwards of 8 feet ... weight more than 200 pounds.... The "Boys" take a sailing pretty frequently in their sail boat, but I never join them in that, for attempts I have crossed the Atlantic pretty frequently I have an inward dislike to the water, after it is more than 2 or 3 fathoms deep! We have now been enjoying that delightful season, which our Americans call the "Indian Summer" and not a drop of rain have we had for several weeks.... Would that you all were here at this moment, at my elbow, from which by a peep at the window, I gaze on the "Pallisades" and the breath of the Hudson, between the trunks of the many trees that stand at rest at present awaiting the return of spring for a renewal of fragrant verdure, and fruits innumerable....
We would be glad if you would ascertain whether a good agent can be had to procure subscribers in England for it [the Quadrupeds], or whether a responsible bookseller would buy the copyright, & a certain number of plates either coloured or plain.
A few weeks later Audubon wrote also to William Yarrell, hoping to interest him in the foreign sale of his new publication, but as will be seen by his friend's reply, now to be given, with indifferent success:
William Yarrell to Audubon
[Superscribed by Audubon]
Recd 28 Jany
1843
[Addressed] J. J. Audubon Esqr.
77 William Street
New York
[Superscribed by Yarrell]
single letter.
P. Paid, W.Y.