162 John Bad on an. 



the spirit was stronger than the body, and when the 

 warm days of Spring returned, the prostration of 

 strength that had alarmed his friends the previous 

 year, returned with double force. His Vestr}^ insist- 

 ed that, under the circumstances, it was unw^ise for 

 him to cling to his work. His physicians prescribed 

 a long sea- voyage and entire rest from labors too 

 arduous in his debilitated condition. 



Audubon urged him to join him in London, where 

 the best medical advice would be at hand. " Come 

 to us,'' \\Q wrote: ''The sight of our ha}rpy children, 

 Maria and John, will do you more good than all tJie 

 doctor's medicine ; and 'uii/ old darling Lucy (Ins tvife), 

 is a great nurse : drive up to Oxford street, where you 

 u)ill find a warm welcome.'' 



May 28th. Dr. Bachman addressed a letter to the 

 President and A^estry of St. John's Church : 



** I deeply lament tlje causes which have led to 

 this communication, but a sense of duty requires 

 that it should not be withheld. 



" You are aware of the decline of my health, and 

 my inability to perform ray clerical duties. Believ- 

 ing that a clergyman should withdraw from his 

 charge whenever he ceases to be useful, I should not 

 hesitate to send you my resignation as Pastor of the 

 Church, were T not buoyed up by my physicians 

 with the hope that I may yet be restored to useful- 

 ness and health. They have all, without exception, 

 recommended a long sea-voyage. I have been in- 

 formed that you are also favorable to these views. I 

 have, therefore, after mature reflection and prayer, 

 ventured to ask you to permit me to susj^end my 

 labors until December next." 



