THORNS ON THE ROSE 85 



interest in them has been increased a thousand fold, 

 in knowing that they are the spoils of a life's cam- 

 paign." 21 Again a series of able articles was started by 

 a just critic, W. B. O. Peabody, in the North Ameri- 

 can Review for April, 1832. 22 Featherstonhaugh de- 

 serves credit for having given Audubon a fair hearing 

 at a critical time, when baiting the American Woods- 

 man was a popular pastime in certain circles at Phila- 

 delphia; in reviewing the Ornithological Biography in 

 i832, this plain spokesman gave what he called "a true 

 history of a conspiracy, got up to utterly break down 

 and ruin the reputation of one of the most remarkable 

 men America ever produced." 23 



Audubon's silence under fire of hostile criticism 

 tempted someone in the capacity of a reporter to call on 

 him in London to obtain, if possible, a personal state- 

 ment, but his lips were then sealed and he would only 

 say: "Had I wished to invent marvels, I need not have 

 stirred from my garret in New York or London." 

 However, in writing to Featherstonhaugh from Bulow- 

 ville, East Florida, December 31, 1831, Audubon made 

 this comment : 24 



If I did not believe the day to be gone by when it was 

 necessary to defend my snake stories, I could send you many 

 curious accounts of the habits of those reptiles ; and I should 

 do it, if it were not that I might be thought to enjoy — too 

 much that triumph which the feeble hostility of three or four 

 selfish individuals has forced upon me. I receive so many acts 

 of real friendship and disinterested kindness, that, I thank 

 God, there is no room left in my heart to cherish unkind feel- 

 ings towards any one. Indeed, I am not now so much sur- 



21 See Bibliography, No. 136. 



22 See Bibliography, No. 105. 



23 See Bibliography, No. 106. 



24 See Bibliography, No. 35. 



