THE HOME OF AUDUBON ON THE HUDSON 215 



" You are all very kind to think of me now that my 

 years are declining, and I assure you that you are very 

 welcome. Sit down where we can see the Hudson flow. 

 The birds sing gaily here in the early morning. I love to 

 sit down here, and dream of my old forest days with 

 Victor." 



We look around. The room is full of specimens of 

 rare birds and skins of great animals. In one corner are 

 easels. 



He tells us stories of some of these animals, his white 

 locks falling over his shoulders. 



" The city is a prison," he says; " only those who live 

 in the country are free. I have loved the country from a 

 boy, and I rejoice that I can pass my old age among the 

 birds. 



" My father taught me to do my work of life well, 

 whatever it might be, and to follow my inward calling in 

 whatever I undertook. The old servants at Mantes prophe- 

 sied that I would fulfil my purpose in life; in Humboldt 

 I saw a pattern of what I would like to do. I forsook 

 everything for the life of a painter of birds, and I 

 did this with no thought of gaining money or personal 

 fame, but out of love of the subject and of America. 

 I have failed in my plans many times in life; but 

 my dear wife and sons believed in me — they held up my 

 hands. He is a strong man who holds the love of the 

 family heart." 



