CHRONOLOGY XXXi 
1823-1824 
Winter spent at Shippingport, where Victor becomes a clerk 
to his uncle, Nicholas A. Berthoud. 
Paints portraits, panels on river boats, and even street signs, 
to earn a living. 
1824 
To Philadelphia, to find patrons or a publisher; thwarted; is 
advised to take his drawings to Europe, where the engrav- 
ing could be done in superior style; befriended by Charles 
L. Bonaparte, Edward Harris, Richard Harlan, Mr. Fair- 
man, and Thomas Sully, who gives him free tuition in oils. 
August 1.—Starts for New York, with letters to Gilbert Stuart, 
Washington Allston, and Samuel L. Mitchell; is kindly re- 
ceived and made a member of the Lyceum of Natural His- 
tory. 
August 15.—To Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, 
Meadville, and Pittsburgh, taking deck passage on boats, 
tramping, and paying his way by crayon portraits. 
September.—Leaves Pittsburgh on exploring tour of Lakes On- 
tario and Champlain for birds; decides on his future 
course. 
October 24.—Returns to Pittsburgh, and descends the Ohio in 
a skiff ; is stranded without a cent at Cincinnati; visits Vic- 
tor at Shippingport, and reaches his wife in St. Francis- 
ville, Bayou Sara, November 24, 
1825-1826 
Teaches at St. Francisville, and gives dancing lessons at Wood- 
ville, Mississippi, to raise funds to go to Europe. 
1826 
May 17.—Sails with his drawings on the cotton schooner Delos, 
bound for Liverpool, where he lands, a total stranger, on 
July 21. 
