What! Have I come here to mimic nature in her grandest enterprise - to add my caricature of one of the wonders of the world to those which I see here? No - I give up the idea as a vain attempt.

As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.

During all these years there existed within me a tendency to follow Nature in her walks.

The eggers destroy all the eggs that are sat upon, to force the birds to lay fresh eggs, and by robbing them regularly compel them to lay until nature is exhausted, and so but few young ones are raised.

The Fur Company may be called the exterminating medium of these wild and almost uninhabitable regions, which cupidity or the love of money alone would induce man to venture into. Where can I now go and find nature undisturbed?

On landing at New York I caught the yellow fever. The kind man who commanded the ship that brought me from France took charge of me and placed me under the care of two Quaker ladies. To their skillful and untiring care I may safely say I owe my life.