18 TiiK Wilson IU'li.kiix — Xo. (i'-^. 



Almost a huiulred years have passed since that nicmorahle 

 misunderstanding on the hanks of the Oliio. This mass of 

 evidence and opinions has been collated with neither animosity 

 nor partisan feeling. A century is entirely too long a period 

 in which to foster a quarrel. In this age of Audubonian 

 worship, an idol need not be shattered in the emphasizing of 

 this man's petty vanity, petulancy and inconsistency ; and if 

 in a single encounter, the son of the bourgeois measured up 

 the better, truer man, judged truly according to the evidence; 

 justice does not require perfection from him and indeed 

 faultlessness will not be found; but a juster, more rational 

 estimate of the men and their works should follow a close 

 study of their lives. 



Time and success softens the harshest judgment and wlien 

 Audubon revisited the scenes of his youth, he could well 

 afford to be at peace with all men, for he was in full flush of 

 hard-earned fame and prosperity. He entered in his journal 

 under the date of October 15th, 1S3G : "Passed poor Alex- 

 auder Wilson's schoolhouse, and heaved a sigh. Alas, poor 

 Wilson ! would that I could once more speak to thee, and 

 listen to thv voice. Wdien I was a youth, the woods stood un- 

 molested here, looking wild and fresh as if just from the 

 Creator's hands ; but now hundreds of streets cross them, and 

 thousands of houses and millions of diverse improvements 

 occupy their places, liartram's Garden is the only place wdiich 

 is unchanged. I walked in the same silent wood I enjoyed 

 on the same spot when first I visited the present owner of it, 

 the descendant of ( ?) William IJartram, the generous friend 

 of Wilson."^ But alas I The kindly words were not written 

 until he whom Audubon could never call friend had long- 

 since departed ; yet how our hearts warm toward the great 

 bird delineator for that one sigh in tribute to the memory of 

 the immortal Wilson. 



^ Life of Aiulubon ):)y Ills widow. 



