Four-and-a-Half Months’ Stay in New Harmony
Description of the region – Natural history – Messrs. Say, Lesueur, and Owen – Hunting excursions in Indiana and Illinois – Wabash, Fox River – Illinois prairies – Albion – Black River – Mr. Bodmer’s trip to New Orleans
December 11, 1832
Early in the morning, dreary, foggy air. No frost. At seven thirty, 2°R [36.5°F, 2.5°C]. We worked at home. At noon, temperature of 7°R [47.8°F, 8.8°C]. At two o’clock it was extraordinarily warm in the sun. I took a short walk, on which Mr. Say wished to accompany me, but suddenly he felt pains in his liver and turned back. The view of the Wabash with the surrounding forests was exceptionally pleasing today, the river high and shiny like a mirror. Along its banks I saw not a living thing. On the way home, I met Mr. Nohl from New Orleans. We talked about Harmony, and he told me that this town had largely lost its good reputation everywhere. Formerly people gladly did business with the local inhabitants, but since they no longer deal honestly with one another, people have decidedly changed their opinions. Later I spent the afternoon at home and, after Mr. Say had called on us, made a brief evening visit to Mr. Lesueur.