58 Life of Audubon. 



wards he received an invitation to become a curator of 

 the museum at Cincinnati, and for the preparation of 

 birds received a liberal remuneration. In conjunction 

 with this situation he opened a drawing school in the 

 same city, and obtained from this employment additional 

 emolument sufficient to support his family comfortably. 

 His teaching succeeded well until several of his pupils 

 started on their own account. The work at the museum 

 having been finished, Audubon fell back upon his portrait 

 painting and such resources as his genius could command. 

 Applying for assistance to an old friend whom he had 

 aided and assisted into business, the ungrateful wretch 

 declared he would do nothing for his benefactor, and 

 further added that he would not even recommend one 

 who had such wandering habits. On more occasions 

 than this his genius for discovery was made an argu- 

 ment against him. 



