43 



PART 11. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I, Some Account of the Work notv publishing by M. Au- 

 dubon, entitled The Birds of America, By William Swainson, 

 Esq. F.R.S. F.L.S. &c. 



Dear Sir, 

 I DREW up the enclosed notice of M. Audubon's publication, 

 with the intention of sending it to you anonymously; but 

 justice to its author, and a wish of assisting your infant Maga- 

 zine, has since induced me to become the avowed writer. It^ 

 therefore, you desire it, you are at full liberty to use my name. 

 This avowal may possibly have some weight with those, who 

 may be tempted to think that praise has descended into flat- 

 tery ; and who are not aware that I have long aimed at that 

 perfection, which M. Audubon has so fully attained. 

 I am, dear sir, 

 Your faithful obedient servant, 

 Tittenhanger-Green, W. Swainson. 



April l\, 1828. iP - 



In nothing is the inconsistency of mankind more strik- 

 ing than in their treatment of genius. In every generation 

 arises one or two spirits, who seem destined to attain a 

 marked preeminence in what they undertake ; and to contra- 

 dict the axiom, that knowledge advances by slow and imper- 

 ceptible steps. Absorbed in the accomplishment of their ob- 

 ject, or devoted to their particular study, they become blind to 

 all considerations of a mere worldly nature. The advantages of 

 interest, the acquirement of wealth, even the comforts of social 

 life, are by such men despised or set at nought, if opposed 

 to the ruling passion of their minds. To attain this, they 

 will struggle against difficulties, apparently insurmountable, 

 against discouragements innumerable, and against poverty 

 itself. Yet how do the world receive such spirits ? Let the 

 page of history answer. In every age, however enlightened, 

 and in every kingdom, however great, innumerable are the 

 melancholy examples of its coldness, ingratitude, or apathy. 

 Historians, philosophers, poets, painters, naturalists — have 



