THE INVITATION. 261 



preciate its fascination. The looker-on sees 

 nothing to inspire such enthusiasm. Only a 

 little feathers and a half -musical note or two ; 

 why all this ado ? " Who would give a hun- 

 dred and twenty dollars to know about the 

 birds ? " said an Eastern governor, half con- 

 temptuously, to Wilson, as the latter solicit- 

 ed a subscription to his great work. Sure 

 enough. Bought knowledge is dear at any 

 price. The most precious things have no 

 commercial value. It is not, your Excel- 

 lency, mere technical knowledge of the birds 

 that you are asked to purchase, but a new 

 interest in the fields and woods, a new moral 

 and intellectual tonic, a new key to the treas- 

 ure-house of nature. Think of the many 

 other things your Excellency would get : the 

 air, the sunshine, the healing fragrance and 

 coolness, and the many respites from the 

 knavery and turmoil of political life. 



Yesterday was an October day of rare 

 brightness and warmth. I spent the most 

 of it in a wild, wooded gorge of Rock Creek. 

 A persimmon-tree which stood upon the 

 bank had dropped some of its fruit in the 

 water. As I stood there, half-leg deep, pick- 

 ing them up, a wood-duck came flying down 

 the creek, and passed over my head. Pres- 



