202* ilEMOIR OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 



ings before departing, placed them in a wooden box, and gave them 

 in charge to a relative, with injunctions to see that no injury should 

 happen to them. He was absent for several months; but when he 

 returned, it was not long, as may be presumed, ere he looked after 

 his treasure. The box was produced and opened : and " reader," he 

 says, " feel for me." A pair of Norway rats had taken possession of 

 the whole, and had reared a family amongst the gnawed bits of paper, 

 which, but a few months before, represented nearly a thousand in- 

 habitants of the air! The catastrophe nearly overcame him; but 

 after several sleepless nights and miserable days, his spirits rallied. 

 He took up his gun, his note-book, his pencils again ; he went once 

 more forth into the woods as gaily as if nothing had happened ; nay, he 

 declares how he felt pleased to think, that he might now make much 

 better drawings than before ; and ere a period not exceeding three 

 years had elapsed, he had his portfolio filled again. 



Having in vain tried to publish his Illustrations in America, Au- 

 dubon sailed for England. He arrived at Liverpool, and from the 

 letters which he brui%ht over with him soon procured a host of 

 friends there, and afterwards in Manchester and Edinburgh. In the 

 latter city several Philosophical Societies, and others belonging to the 

 fine arts, spontaneously and gratuitously enrolled him as a member. 

 He also commenced in Edinburgh, the publication of his Illustrations, 

 and afterwards carried it on in Loudon. To Britain, he acknowledges 

 that he owes nearly all his success. It was that country that first fully 

 appreciated and encouraged his efforts. She furnished the artists 

 through whom his productions were jjresented to the world; she 

 granted him the highest patronage and honour ; and to Britain he 

 ever will bear the deepest gratitude. France too, was not insensible 

 to his merits. In 1828, when he visited that country. Baron Cuvier 

 read a iiighly laudatory report of the "Birds of America," before the 

 Institute, and there he also received a number of subscribers to his 

 magnificent work. On returning to his native land, he found a kind 

 and encouraging reception. There, where he is still pursuing his 

 wonted studies, or at intervals giving to the world his Illustrations, 

 and his Biography of the illustrated birds, he has acknowledged 

 that a support now equal to what he received in Europe is afforded 

 him. It is believed that he had earned a moderate competency some 

 years ago. His fame as an enthusiastic, jjenetrating, and scientific 

 observer is established beyond all cavil, 'i'hat fame is on the in- 

 crease ; wherever he goes the sympathy and good wishes of many go 

 with him ; the consciousness of which cannot but be a sweet reward 

 to a genius and a cheerful disposition, such as Audubon is known to 

 possess in an eminent degiee. 



Audubon is now a man beyond the meridian of human life; but he 

 scruples not to penetrate still the trackless and immeasurable woods 

 of America, encountering dangers and pHvations which few are ca- 

 pable of conceiving, who have not witnessed the awful grandeur of 

 an American wilderness, where the deep silence is only disturbed, by 

 day, by the scream of the Vulture, the Eagle, or the Raven, and by 

 night, the dreary hootings of the great-eared Owl and his cungeners, 

 while at every step he is liable to tread on the poisonous Rattlesnake, 

 or other noxious reptiles. The mountains and rocks, the rivers, lakes* 



