1250 John Bachman, 



To VicTOK Audubon. 



Charleston, December 13th, 1847. 



My dear Victor — " I have been unable to write to 

 you for ten days. I had returned from the meeting 

 of the Synod in Georgia, and had but two days at 

 home, when a sad accident befell me, which, but for 

 Ood's providence, might have rendered me for the 

 rest of niy days like Milton, blind and sad. 



I had prepared a mixture of gunpowder, sulphur 

 and lard to anoint a mangy dog, and gave it to Sam, 

 our little servant to carry to the yard. I was in- 

 tently engaged in writing, seated by the fire witli 

 my feet on the fender. In his wisdom, Sam sup- 

 posed that the lard should be melted, and he clapped 

 it on the fire, about eighteen inches from my nose — 

 an explosion took place something like that of a 

 cannon — it was nearly half a pound of powder. I 

 was knocked over — saved twenty-five cents in hair- 

 cutting, lost my eye lashes and eyelids, and was 

 laid on my back for ten days, with grated Irish 

 potato poultices as a remedy. Nothing but my 

 .spectacles, (bless them), saved my eyes from total 

 blindness. I have now a new skin from forehead to 

 chin. Yesterday I left the dark room, and looked 

 again upon the light of heaven, and my eyes are so 

 much better to-day, that I have been able to show 

 you the scratch of my pen." * * * * 



December 18th. This should have been sent to 

 you, but I was compelled once more to remain in a 

 dark room. I was there for five days. I am now 

 quite better, (save my eyelashes and eyebrows.) I 

 «hall preach to-morrow, I hope ; I see as well as ever 

 to-day, only I cannot bear a glare of light. This is 

 Saturday morning, and I am preparing for Sunday. 

 I have several extra duties at Church — a Confirma- 

 tion, and Communion. * * * * 



