38 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Nov. 5, 
has been recently taken from us by the City authorities, though 
not till we had resisted to the last point in our power the act of 
spoliation. Let me express the earnest hope that as this is the 
first, so it will be the last, instance in which we may be defeated 
in our honest wish and endeavor to do our duty as custodians 
of the remains of the dead and of those monuments of whatever 
kind which keep their names alive from generation to generation. 
The duty of representing your Committee and the Academy 
of Sciences on this occasion belonged of right to you; for with- 
out your interest in this matter and your unwearying efforts, 
I am inclined to think the result which we see would not have 
been accomplished; and so this moment must be to you one of 
deep satisfaction, your conscience bearing witness to the sin- 
cerity of your intention, and your zeal in a worthy cause. 
As for the monument now before us, none could have been 
selected more appropriate to one who united in himself the de- 
votion of an enthusiastic student of nature, the skill of the 
draughtsman and painter, and the reverence of the Christian. 
In your remarks, which anticipate the fuller discourse to be de- 
livered by the learned and distinguished gentleman who is to 
address us this evening, you have touched on the points in Au- 
dubon’s life and character most deserving of consideration. I 
listened with special interest to what you said relating to his 
deeply religious character. Scientific pursuits are among the 
highest that can occupy the attention of men; to the students 
of nature in her several kingdoms the human race owes a debt 
of which the imagination can hardly estimate the value. But 
when our teacher leads us, as we follow his direction, from the 
consideration of the works of nature to a reverent and loving 
appreciation of the glorious God of Nature, Possessor of 
Heaven and Earth, the life of the student seems to assume an 
almost ideal character. Of such was the man whom we com- 
memorate to-day. 
Again, sir, I thank you, and through you the Audubon 
Monument Committee, the Academy of Sciences, and all who 
have had part in raising this beautiful and sacred monolith, for 
making us its custodians; and I assure you that no efforts 
shall be spared on our part to preserve it from harm, and to 
keep it where it stands, an object to cheer the eyes of all be- 
holders, in this place where ‘‘the sacred calm that breathes 
around bids every fierce tumultuous passion cease.” 
