6 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



When the old sailor returned from sea he was astonished at 

 the large collection his boy had made, paid him some compli- 

 ments on his good taste, and asked what progress he had made 

 in his other studies. No satisfactory • 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 Eochefort, where the elder held some appointment. 

 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 super- 

 intend 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 com- 

 menced. 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 pro- 

 perties: He has recorded in affecting language his regret at 

 leaving behind him the country where he had spent his boy- 

 hood, 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." 



« On landing at New York I caught the yellow fever, by 

 walking to the bank in Greenwich Street to cash my letters 

 of credit." Captain John Smith, whose name is gratefully 

 recorded, took compassion on the young emigrant, removed 

 him to Morristown, and placed him under the care of two 

 Quaker ladies at a boarding-house, and to the kindness of 

 these ladies he doubtless owed his life. His father's agent, 



