22 



BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCH 



Henderson, in Kentucky, situated on the bank 

 of the Ohio, where I resided for several years, 

 to proceed to Philadelphia on business. I looked 

 to all my drawings before my departure, placed 

 them carefully in a wooden box, and gave them 

 in charge to a relative, with injunctions to see 

 that no injury should happen to them. My 

 absence was of several months ; and when I 

 returned, after having enjoyed the pleasures of 

 home for a few days, I inquired after my box, 

 and what I was pleased to call my treasure. 

 The box was produced, and opened ; but, 

 reader, feel for me : a pair of Norway rats had 

 taken possession of the whole, and had reared 

 a young family amongst the gnawed bits of 

 paper, which, but a few months before, repre- 

 sented nearly a thousand inhabitants of the 

 air ! The burning heat which instantly rushed 

 through my brain, was too great to be endured, 

 without affecting the whole of my nervous 

 system. I slept not for several nights, and 

 the days passed like days of oblivion, until 

 the animal powers being recalled into action, 

 through the strength of my constitution, I took 

 up my gun, my note-book, and my pencils, 

 and went forth to the woods as gaily as if 

 nothing had happened. I felt pleased that I 

 might now make much better drawings than! 

 before, and, ere a period not exceeding three 



