CHAPTEE VI. 



Adduboh's Maekiagk akd Journey to Lotjisvillb — His Settlement 



THERE AND PlBASANT LiFE — CoNTINTJANCE OF HIS PuESUITS — WEST- 

 ERN HospiTALiTr — Business Prospects — Removal of Business to 

 Hendbrsonvillb — MEBTiira with Alexander Wilson, thb American 

 Ornitholooist, and Paisley Poet. 



The journey of Audubon and Eosier to Kentucky had for its 

 purpose the discovery of some outlet for the naturalist's energies, 

 in the shape of a settled investment, which would permit 

 of his marriage to Miss Bakewell. In Louisville Audubon de- 

 termined to remain, and with this purpose in view he sold his 

 plantation of Mill Grove, invested his capital in goods, and pre- 

 pared to start for the west. His arrangements being complete, 

 he was married to Miss Bakewell on the 8th of April, 1808, in 

 her father's residence at Fatland Ford. Journeying by Pittsburg 

 the wedded pair reached Louisville with their goods in safety. 

 From Pittsburg they sailed down the Ohio in a flat-bottomed 

 float named an ark, and which proved to be an exceedingly 

 tedious and primitive mode of travelling. This river voyage 

 occupied twelve days, and must have given the naturalist 

 wonderful opportunities of making observations. At Louisville 

 he commenced trade under favourable auspices, but the hunting 

 of birds continued to be the ruling passion. His life at this 

 period, in the company of his young wife, appears to have been 

 extremely happy, and he writes that he had really reason " to 

 care for nothing." The country around Louisville was settled 

 by planters who were fond of hunting, and among whom he 



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