-200* MEMOIR OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 
him to copy, was, on his return to the wocds of the New World, trans- 
ferred to his favourite pursuit. He accordingly commenced a col- 
lection of drawings, which he afterwards published—viz. ‘* Illustra- 
tions of The Birds of America.” 
It would appear, although we have not any particular information 
on the subject, that Audubon’s family were in the enjoyment of a 
competency such as to enable him to pursue his studies much more 
exclusively than falls to the lot of many aspiring youths. His father, 
he tells us, gave him what the Americans call a beautiful * plantation” 
in Pennsylvania, which was refreshed during the summer heats by the 
waters of the Schuylkil River, and very favourably situated for the 
encouragement of his pursuits. There he set himself to work with as 
little concern about the future asif the world had been made for him. 
His rambles invariably commenced at day-break; and to return wet 
with dew, and bearing a feathered prize, was, and ever will be, the 
highest enjoyment of his hfe. He was not, however, incapable of 
cherishing the ordinary sentiments of humanity, and accordingly he 
took to himself a partner for life. But it is not matter of wonder 
that he should have had worldly difficulties to combat, whatever may 
have been his patrimony. For a period of twenty years, a succession 
of vicissitudes attended his career. He tried varicus branches of com- 
merce, but they all proved unprofitable, doubtless because his whole 
mind was devoted to rambling in search of subjects connected with 
natural history. He had also to struggle against the will of all who © 
at that period called themselves his friends, excepting his wife and 
children. At length he became so irritated by taunts and remon- 
strances, that he broke through all bonds, and gave himself entirely 
up to his loved pursuits. He undertook long and tedious journeys, 
ransacked the woods, the lakes, the prairies. and the shores of the 
ocean, Years were spent away from his family. Yet, he declares, 
he had all this while no other object in view than simply to enjoy the 
sight of Nature; to become in any degree useful to mankind had 
never occurred to him, indeed, until he accidentally formed an ac- 
quaintance with Lucian Bonaparte, another eminent ornithologist, at 
Philadelphia, to which place Audubon had proceeded, with the design 
of advancing farther along the coast. 
Up to this period Audubon appears to have had no instructor, and 
indeed no naturalist as a friend or adviser on the subject of ornitholo- 
Lucian Bonaparte, however, it must be presumed, did not with- 
hold his best advice and directions. He also introduced the enthusiast 
to the Natural History Society of Philadelphia. But the patronage he 
most needed, he soon found was to be sought elsewhere. He therefore 
visited New York, where he was received witha kindness well calcu- 
lated to elevate his depressed spirits. He afterwards ascended the 
Hudson, glided over many a broad lake, and sought the wildest soli- 
tudes of the pathless forests. 
In these forests, he first contemplated a visit to Europe again, and 
to fancy his drawings under the multiplying efforts of the graver. 
His days and nights were filled with happy dreams and pleasing 
visions. He read over the catalogue of his drawings, and began to 
suppose it possible that an unaid ed and unconnected individual like him- 
self might be able to accomplice) such a grand scheme. Chance-alone 
