368 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 



magnolias, of birds and sunshine. His grandfather 

 was a poor fisherman of La Vendee, France, with 

 twenty-one children. Unable to support them, 

 they made their way in life as best they could. 



When John's father was twelve years old, the 

 fisherman gave him "a shirt, a dress of warm 

 clothing, his blessing, and a cane, and sent him 

 out to seek his fortune." He went to Nantes, 

 shipped before the mast ; at twenty-one commanded 

 a vessel, and at twenty-five was owner and captain 

 of a small craft. 



Going to St. Domingo, West Indies, he pur- 

 chased a small estate. Ambitious, as are all persons 

 who succeed, he soon secured an appointment from 

 the Governor of St. Domingo, returned to France, 

 made the acquaintance of influential men, and 

 obtained an appointment in the Imperial navy, 

 with the command of a small vessel of war. 



He had what all persons need, true self-appreci- 

 ation; quite another quality from self-conceit. 

 To believe that we can do things, having kept our 

 characters such that we respect ourselves, is a 

 strong indication that we shall prosper if we make 

 the attempt. 



Frequently visiting America in his ship, 

 Audubon purchased land in Louisiana, Virginia, 

 and Pennsylvania. In the former State he married 

 a lady of Spanish extraction, Anne Moynette, both 

 beautiful and wealthy. Of their three sons and 

 one daughter, John James was the youngest son. 



The mother was not spared to rear the distin- 



