Three Letters to Audubon's "Kentucky Lads"
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NEARLY a century ago, in 1809 and 1812, Audubon's
two sons were born; Victor in Louisville, and John Henderson, Ky., and in speaking of them together he often called them his "Kentucky lads." During their boyhood days the father and sons were separated for long periods of time by the nature of Audubon's work, which work became that of all three, as years went on, and the long months while father and sons were thus apart were bridged over by what, for those days, was a very frequent correspondence.
Unfortunately most of these letters have been lost or destroyed; only a few have fallen into my hands — the three given below, written while Audubon was in Edinburgh bringing out the first number of the 'Birds,' and a few others written to the "Kentucky lads" when they too had crossed the ocean and were making what at that time was called the "grand tour," though it really covered only a very moderate portion of Europe.
The letters here given were penned when Victor, a youth of seventeen, was in the office of an uncle by marriage, Mr. Nicholas Berthoud, in Louisville, and John, three years younger, was with his mother on a plantation in Louisiana, near Bayou Sara. They are simple letters, but show the companionship that existed between Audubon and his boys, and the intense desire the former had that no talent or opportunity should be neglected by those whose welfare he had at heart, and who were so dear to him. — Maria R. Audubon.
FIRST LETTER
Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday, October 28, 1826.
My dear Johnny:
I am writing to you from the place where I wish most you could have been educated. It is a most beautiful city, perhaps the most so I have ever seen; its situation is delightful, not far from the sea, running on two parallel hills, ornamented with highly finished monuments, and guarded by perhaps impregnable castles. The streets are all laid at right angles in that portion of it which is called the New Town — are well paved and cleaned, and lighted by gas. I have been here now three days. I came from Manchester in a public coach that carried four inside passengers and ten outside, or rather, on the top, besides a guard and a driver, and all the luggage. I sometimes stayed inside, and sometimes
