1 6 Life of Auduhon. 



astonished at the large collection his boy had made, paid 

 him some compliments on his good taste, and asked what 

 progress he had made in his other studies. No satisfac- 

 tory reply being given, he retired without reproach, but, 

 evidently mortified at the idleness of the young naturalist, 

 seemed to turn his attention towards his daughter, whose 

 musical attainments had been successfully cultivated. 

 On the day following the disclosure father and son 

 started for Rochefort, where the elder held some appoint- 

 ment. The journey occupied four days, and the pair did 

 not exchange one unnecessary word during the journey. 

 Reaching his official residence, the father explained that 

 he himself would superintend his son's education ; gave 

 the boy liberty for one day to survey the ships of war and 

 the fortifications, and warned him that on the morrow a 

 severe course of study should be commenced. And 

 commence it did accordingly. 



More than a year was spent in the close study of 

 mathematics ; though whenever opportunity occurred the 

 severer study was neglected for rambles after objects of 

 natural history, and the collection of more specimens. 

 At Nantes, Audubon actually began to draw sketches of 

 French birds, — a work he continued with such assiduity 

 that he completed two hundred specimens. 



His father was desirous that he should join the armies 

 of Napoleon, and win fame by following the French 

 eagles. Warfare, however, had ceased to be a passion of 

 the youth, and he was sent out to America to superintend 

 his father's property. He has recorded in affecting 

 language his regret at leaving behind him the country 

 where he had spent his boyhood, the friends upon whose 

 affections he relied, the associations that had been 

 endeared to him. While the breeze wafted along the 

 great ship, hours were spent in deep sorrow or melancholy 

 musings. 



