178 John Bachman. 



During the year 1839, Victor G. Audubon, the 

 eldest son of Audubon, arrived in America, visited 

 Charleston, and spent months in Dr. Bachman's 

 home. Before the close of his visit, he became en- 

 gaged to Mary Eliza, Dr. Bachman's second 

 daughter. 



Friends who had watched from childhood, the 

 strong and ever increasing bond of affection between 

 the sisters, rejoiced that they were to live again 

 under the same roof. A letter from Aububon ex- 

 pressed his great pleasure at this second union 

 between the families. Bachman's reply was charac- 

 teristic. 



Your congratulations at this double union in 

 our families are right and proper, nor ought I to be 

 so selfish as to wish to retain my children around 

 me when their happiness requires a removal ; but 

 somehow, the event which causes you so much 

 pleasure, has a contrary effect on me. I am a Phi- 

 losopher in most things, but in this case Nature is 

 too strong for Philosophy. The girls have good 

 husbands, who, I am sure, will take care of them ; 

 but to me the parting with them I feel to be a very 

 great loss ; but I will try not to complain about it, 

 unless others wish me a joy which I do not feel, and 

 which I would be a hypocrite to acknowledge. 



I was glad that I was compelled to be absent when 

 Eliza left me, and was obliged to preach in the 

 country twice a day for a fortnight, >and had thus 

 incessant occupation, without too much time for 

 thought. When I came home, however, the holidays 

 had scattered the rest of my little flock. It was so 

 lonely, it almost gave me another attack of dys- 

 pepsia. But let us talk of other matters of your 



