Ivi 
MEMOIR OF 
reasoning, which I did not dispute, I undertook to prove 
him a greater culprit than myself, in erecting a large elegant 
three-story brick house, so much beyond the reach of the 
commonalty, as he called them, and consequently grossly 
contrary to our republican institutions. I harangued 
this Solomon of the bench more seriously afterwards, 
pointing out to him the great influence of science on a 
young rising nation like ours, and particularly the science 
of natural history, till he began to shew such symptoms 
of intellect as to seem ashamed of what he had said.” 
“ Gentlemen here assure me, that the road to Chilo- 
cothe is impassable on foot, by reason of the freshes. I 
have therefore resolved to navigate myself in a small skiff 
which I have bought, and named the Ornithologist, down 
to Cincinnati, a distance of five hundred and twenty-eight 
miles, intending to visit five or six towns that lie in my 
way. From Cincinnati I will cross over to the opposite 
shore, and, abandoning my boat, make my way to Lexing- 
ton, where I expect to be ere your letter can reach that 
place. Were I to go by Chilocothe, I should miss five 
towns as large as it. Some say that I ought not to attempt 
going down by myself — others think I may. I am deter- 
mined to make the experiment, the expense of hiring a 
rower being considerable. As soon as the ice clears out of 
the Alleghany, and the weather will permit, I shall shove 
off, having every thing in readiness. I have ransacked 
the woods and fields here, without finding a single bird 
new to me, or indeed any thing but a few snow birds and 
sparrows. I expect to have something interesting to 
communicate in my next.” 
“ Having now reached the second stage of my bird- 
catching expedition, I willingly sit down to give you some 
account of my adventures and remarks since leaving 
Pittsburg : by the aid of a good map, and your usual 
stock of patience, you will be able to listen to my story, 
and trace all my wanderings. Though generally dissuaded 
