LIFE OF ADDUBON. 



CHAPTER II. 



The Nattjealist's Childhood — His Piest Visit to America. 



The naturalist was born in Louisiana, and his earliest recollec- 

 tions are associated with lying among the flowers of that fertile 

 land, sheltered by the orange trees, and watching the move- 

 ments of the mocking-bird, " the king of song," dear to him in 

 after life from many associations. He has remarked that his 

 earliest impressions of nature were exceedingly vivid; the 

 beauties of natural scenery stirred " a frenzy " in his blood, and at 

 the earliest age the bent of his future studies were indicated by 

 many characteristic traits. He appears to have left Louisiana 

 while but a child, and gone to St. Domingo, where he resided 

 for a short period, previous to his departure for France, where 

 his education was to be commenced. 



His earliest recollections of his life in France extend to 

 his home in the central district of the city of Nantes, and a 

 fact he remembered well was being attended by two negro 

 servants sent home from India by his father. He speaks 

 of his life in Nantes as joyous in the extreme. His step- 

 mother, being without any children of her own, humoured the 

 child in every whim, and indulged him in every luxury. The 

 future naturalist, who in the recesses of American forests 

 was to live on roots and fruits, and even scantier fare, was 

 indulged with a "carte blanche" on all the confectionery 

 shops in the village where his summer months were passed, 

 and he speaks of the kindnesses of his stepmother as over- 

 whelming. His father had less weakness, ordered the boy 



