VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA. 79 



CHAPTER YIL 



"pvURING April, 1824, Audubon visited Pliil- 

 -■-^ adelphia, with the view of continuing his 

 researches eastward along the coast. 



Up to this time, though so diligent a student, 

 he appears to have entertained no definite idea 

 of any beneficial or advantageous result of his 

 efforts. Never, indeed, did he dare to indulge 

 the hope of becoming in any degree useful to 

 his kind, much less did he dream of the rare suc- 

 cess which should one day signalize his name. 

 Yet to this end did the irresistible impulse of 

 his genius unconsciously incite him. Led on by 

 the pure attraction of his love, as the disciple of 

 science, heroically and patiently he followed on, 

 until at length her best rewards were gratefully 

 bestowed. 



On visiting Philadelphia, his only friends in 

 the city, were Dr. Mease, whom he had known 

 in his youthful days, and Dr. Richard Harlan, 

 long his friend, and whose friendship continued 

 through the lifetime of Audubon. By them, 

 Audubon was introduced to the illustrious nat- 



