174 



In ihe course of time he married, but this relation- 

 ship did not deter him from pursuing his labors, but 

 he roved over the Union at large, and v/as absent from 

 his home months at a time; but he was not careless 

 or inattentiye to home duties. The people of his neigh- 

 borhood thought him almost out of his mind for living 

 such a life, and he did not receive much help or en- 

 couragement from any of them. But being his own 

 boss, and a man of a strong mind, he conquered their 

 prejudices and continued his vocation, fulfilling the 

 mission which seemed to be meeted out for him. 



He always carried a gun, by which he secured speci- 

 mens. Many times did he dispair of reaching his pro- 

 ject, but he was not easily daunted, for he had the 

 spirit of pluck and perseverence, which led all great 

 men to distinction. 



He visited Europe and made ertensive travels through 

 that country, gathering information and making many 

 friends, which quite encouraged him, and he pressed 

 on with renewed energy, but he longed once more to 

 see the wild and luxurious shores of America, and to 

 rove in her forests, in which his chief delight lay. He 

 soon returned and was greeted with more attention 

 than he had anticipated from the people of Boston. 



About this time he received a visit from Alexander 

 Wilson, another noted naturalist. After working on 

 with ceasless toil for several more years, he again visit- 

 ed England, where he was warmly received by his old 

 acquaintances. By the aid of one of his friends he was 

 elected a member of one of the societies of Natural 

 Sciences, which greatly helped him. He now engaged 

 himself in getting subscribers for his works, and the 



