LOUISVILLE. 18 
the irritating remarks of some well-meaning 
friends, who, ignorant of his genius, and deaf to 
its charmed voice, opposed the prosecution of his 
pursuits. Doubtless, he was not only admon- 
ished, but censured as heedless of interest and of 
duty. Happily he found solace in the sympathy 
of the chosen companion of his life, who, during, 
the solitude of separation, also found her conso- 
lation in the sustaining conviction of the nobility 
and worth of an affection like that of Audubon’s, 
ever unaltered by trial. 
To Louisville, one of his favourite abiding 
places, Audubon repaired immediately after his 
marriage. It was situated on the banks of La 
Belle Riviére. Graced by the famed rapids of 
the Ohio leaping over their rocky beds—by the 
mountains of the Silver Hills, bounding on the 
opposite side a Swiss-like view, miles in extent. 
On the north, one of the many beautiful streams 
which adorn the State is the Beargrass Creek, 
loitering through a shady wood of majestic 
beeches, interspersed with walnuts, oaks, elms, 
and ashes, which extend on either side its course. 
It was the resort of many a lounger in the balmy, 
sunny days of that climate, and it was also a 
favoured spot in the country, for the celebration 
of the great Jay of the American ‘people, the 
Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, 
Then in the warmth of summer, when har. 
2 
