194 John Bachman. 



Dr. Baclaman, in a letter to x\ndubon, writes: 



"Eliza has written to us; she feels lierself a little 

 improved ; but, from her account, there seems to me 

 no change for the better. I am glad to hear that 

 our little Lucy and Harriet are well and happ}*. 

 We are not all well, for my wife's health is impaired: 

 she has neuralgia in an aggravated form, and her 

 constant anxiety about Eliza prevents her from im- 

 proving. 



Thanks for the dog. It arrived in fine order, and 

 promises to be a good liound. Dr. Desel has shown 

 such hospitality to us all, that I sent the fine animal 

 as a present to him, in John's name. He was as fat 

 as a seal, active and playful. He has w^ritten a letter 

 of thanks, and sends you all a warm invitation to 

 come to '^ Libert}^ Hall." T wdsh, indeed, tliat you 

 were here now, to take a little recreation with me. 

 You shall have a further report of the hound, when 

 he knows a deer from a rabbit. 



Amid April sho^vers, the travellers returned from 

 Cuba to Charleston. All strove to be cheerful. The 

 flowers were blooming and the birds singing. 

 Audubon's "beloved Rosy" from childhood was the 

 life of the home, ^faria had been less gay — a gentle 

 gravit}^ a singular devotion to duty, had character- 

 ized her. Eliza was the family poetess and song- 

 stress, the promoter of innocent mirth — ever assured 

 that her small efforts would please and amuse. Now, 

 she strove to cheer her inother ; she did not dwell 

 on her own pain or grief. She suffered chiefly from 

 debility ; daily fevers were sap})ing her young 

 strength. 



