Thought on Religion. 1 13 



replenished we soon afterwards left for Pittsburg, where 

 we arrived in safety. 



" September 7. I was more politely received than on 

 former occasions at Pittsburg, which I found was due to 

 the reception I had met with in Philadelphia, and some 

 rumors of which had reached the West. 



" October 9. Spent one month at Pittsburg scouring 

 the country for birds, and continuing my drawings. Made 

 the acquaintance of the Rev. John H. Hopkins. Found 

 him an amiable man, and attended some of his ministra- 

 tions. I met a Mr. Baldwin, who volunteered to subscribe 

 for my book of birds — the three hundredth name given 

 to me. In the course of my intimacy with the Rev. Mr. 

 Hopkins I was brought to think more than I usually did 

 of religious matters ; but I confess I never think of 

 churches without feeling sick at heart at the sham and 

 show of some of their professors. To repay evils with 

 kindness is the religion I was taught to practise, and this 

 will for ever be my rule. 



" October 24. For some days I have been meditating 

 on purchasing a skiff and going clown the Ohio and Mis- 

 sissippi in it, as I had done years before. I purchased a 

 boat, and filling it with provisions, bade my friends adieu, 

 and started in company with an artist, a doctor, and an 

 Irishman. I hauled up the boat at night and slept 

 in it. 



" October 29. Reached Wheeling after suffering much 

 from wet and rain. The artist and doctor were disgusted 

 with boating, and left. The Irishman was tired of his 

 bargain. My finances were very low. I tried to sell 

 some lithographs of General Lafayette, but did not suc- 

 ceed. I sold my skiff, and took passage in a keel-boat 

 to Cincinnati, with a lot of passengers, army officers, and 

 others. I arrived at Cincinnati, visited my old house, 

 and met many old friends in that city. 



