RETURN FROM FLORIDA. 14-1 



CHAPTER XI. 



RETURNING- from Florida, enriched by nu- 

 merous and important discoveries, Audubon, 

 proceeded to Philadelpbia. There he had the 

 happiness to be reunited to his family. Anxiety 

 for their welfare induced him to shorten his stay 

 in that city, then afflicted by the terrible pesti- 

 lence of cholera. They continued their journey 

 to Boston. During his sojourning there, 1882, 

 he was engaged in making the drawings requisite 

 to the completion of his " Illustrations" — ^his sou 

 leaving the family gathering to superintend their 

 publication in London. At the noble city of 

 Boston Audubon lingered to indulge his admi- 

 ration of it, as well as to enjoy the pleasure 

 afforded him by the warm and generous recep- 

 tion he met with from its inhabitants. "The 

 outpouring of kindness at Boston," he tells us, 

 " exceeding all with which he had ever met." 

 This so justly admired capital was naturally a 

 source of honourable pride to him. With the 

 utmost enthusiasm he speaks of the laudable 

 characteristics of this people, the fitting citizens 



