90 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 

 lief in his talents and in their ultimate 

 recognition. 



Under date of October 11, 1829, he 

 writes : "I am at work and have done 

 much, but I wish I had eight pairs of 

 hands, and another body to shoot the 

 specimens ; still I am delighted at what 

 I have accumulated in drawings this 

 season. Forty -two drawings in four 

 months, eleven large, eleven middle 

 size, and twenty-two small, comprising 

 ninety-five birds, from eagles down- 

 wards, with plants, nests, flowers, and 

 sixty different kinds of eggs. I live 

 alone, see scarcely anyone besides those 

 belonging to the house where I lodge. I 

 rise long before day, and work till night- 

 fall, when I take a walk and to bed.'' 



Audubon's capacity for work was ex- 

 traordinary. His enthusiasm and per- 

 severance were equally extraordinary. 

 His purposes and ideas fairly possessed 

 him. Never did a man consecrate him- 

 self more fully to the successful com- 



