Illness of his Second Daughter. 180 



invalid to Cuba. It was not thought advisable to 

 select the route via Charleston ; there were too many 

 recent sad memories in the early home ; she was to 

 stop there on her return. 



Her father wrote to Mr. Victor Audubon: 



CHARLESTON, October 27th, 1840. 



Dear Victor By your letter, you were to sail on 

 Wednesday last; if so, by our calculations, you must 

 now be somewhere off Charleston or Savannah. 

 There have been fair days, and I hope that you are 

 all free from sea-sickness. I found, in the latitude 

 of the Bahamas, Summer weather in December. 



We are, of course, not free from anxiety ; but we 

 all hope and pray for the best. A ship-voyage may 

 be beneficial to Eliza. I have all confidence that 

 this, together with travelling and visiting milder 

 regions, will materially improve her health. * * 



On the same day he wrote to his daughter. 



My dear Eliza : We received your few lines, and 

 all feel truly anxious for your recovery, and return 

 to us in good health. I was at your age, much 

 worse than you are. I had broken a blood vessel, 

 was confined six months to my bed, and was given 

 over by Dr. Rush, and physic. A voyage to Jamaica 

 and a subsequent residence in Charleston, affected a 

 cure without medicine. Be cheerful and content. 

 Look, as I always try to do, on the bright side of 

 the picture. Keep a good conscience ; trust in your 

 God, and all will be well. * * * 



Your affectionate father, 



J. B. 



