Chapter XX

AUDUBON'S ÆNEID, 1819-1824: WANDERINGS THROUGH THE
WEST AND SOUTH

Pivotal period in Audubon's career—His spur and
balance wheel—Resort to portraiture—Taxidermist in the
Western Museum—Settles in Cincinnati—History of his
relations with Dr. Drake—Decides to make his avocation
his business—Journey down the Ohio and Mississippi
with Mason and Cummings—Experiences of travel without
a cent of capital—Life in New Orleans—Vanderlyn's
recommendation—Original drawings—Chance meeting with Mrs.
Pirrie and engagement as tutor at "Oakley"—Enchantments
of West Feliciana—"My lovely Miss Pirrie"—The jealous
doctor—Famous drawing of the rattlesnake—Leaves
St. Francisville and is adrift again in New
Orleans—Obtains pupils in drawing and is joined by his
family—Impoverished, moves to Natchez, and Mrs. Audubon
becomes a governess—Injuries to his drawings—The labors
of years destroyed by rats—Teaching in Tennessee—Parting
with Mason—First lessons in oils—Mrs. Audubon's school at
"Beechwoods"—Painting tour fails—Stricken at Natchez—At
the Percys' plantation—Walk to Louisville—Settles at
Shippingport 301

CHAPTER XXI

DÉBUT AS A NATURALIST

Makes his bow at Philadelphia—Is greeted with plaudits
and cold water—Friendship of Harlan, Sully, Bonaparte
and Harris—Hostility of Ord, Lawson and other friends
of Alexander Wilson—A meeting of academicians—Visit to
"Mill Grove"—Exhibits drawings in New York and becomes a
member of the Lyceum—At the Falls of Niagara—In a gale on
Lake Erie—Episode at Meadville—Walk to Pittsburgh—Tour
of Lakes Ontario and Champlain—Decides to take his
drawings to Europe—Descends the Ohio in a skiff—Stranded
at Cincinnati—Teaching at St. Francisville 327

CHAPTER XXII

TO EUROPE AND SUCCESS

Audubon sails from New Orleans—Life at sea—Liverpool—The
Rathbones—Exhibition of drawings an immediate
success—Personal appearance—Painting habits resumed—His
pictures and methods—Manchester visited—Plans
for publication—_The Birds of America_—Welcome at
Edinburgh—Lizars engraves the Turkey Cock—In the _rôle_
of society's lion—His exhibition described by a French
critic—Honors of science and the arts—Contributions to
journals excite criticism—Aristocratic patrons—Visit to
Scott—The Wild Pigeon and the rattlesnake—Letter to his
wife—Prospectus—Journey to London 347

CHAPTER XXIII

AUDUBON IN LONDON

Impressions of the metropolis—A trunk full of
letters—Friendship of Children—Sir Thomas Lawrence—Lizars
stops work—A family of artists—Robert Havell, Junior—_The
Birds of America_ fly to London—The Zoölogical
Gallery—Crisis in the naturalist's affairs—Royal
patronage—Interview with Gallatin—Interesting
the Queen—Desertion of patrons—Painting to
independence—Personal habits and tastes—Enters
the Linnæan Society—The white-headed Eagle—Visit
to the great universities—Declines to write for
magazines—Audubon-Swainson correspondence—"Highfield
Hall" near Tyttenhanger—In Paris with Swainson—Glimpses
of Cuvier—His report on _The Birds of America_—Patronage
of the French Government and the Duke of
Orleans—Bonaparte the naturalist 377

CHAPTER XXIV

FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA IN SEARCH OF NEW BIRDS

Settles for a time in Camden—Paints in a fisherman's
cottage by the sea—With the lumbermen in the Great
Pine Woods—Work done—Visits his sons—Joins his wife
at St. Francisville—Record of journey south—Life at
"Beechgrove"—Mrs. Audubon retires from teaching—Their
plans to return to England—Meeting with President Jackson
and Edward Everett 420