116 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



God has made the roughest places of our earth so populous 

 with lovely things that can surprise us into joy. 



But without rhapsodizing. Wilson's claim to originality, 

 in having first conceived the magnificent design of illustrating 

 the Birds of America, and led the van of Practical Science in 

 its relations to Ornithology, is certainly a most imposing one, 

 and one with which no after exertions of mere talent, however 

 tireless, devoted, and successful it might be, could by any 

 possibility compete. But genius can do what talent cannot. 

 It is above all rules and "saws," and scorns the measure of 

 an aphorism. 



" When the power falls into the mighty hands 

 Of Nature the spirit, giant-born, 

 Who listens only to himself " 



such things are effected, as an age of the leaden attainments 

 of studied acquisition cannot accomplish. 



Audubon, in the unique and striking originality of his 

 drawings, and the whole treatment of his themes, has so far 

 outstripped, in a bold freedom of design and execution, any 

 thing of Wilson's which may be denominated suggestive even, 

 as to leave scarcely any room for comparison in this last 

 issue. If Wilson was original, our Ornithologist is infinitely 

 more so. 



Wilson has all the advantages in such a contrast. " He 

 was first in the field," and with the world that said, all is 

 said. Whatever has been done since must be footed on to 

 his account with fame, at least to the point of careful balance 

 with that of any one who has chanced to come after him. 

 This is not strictly just. 



We admit cheerfully all that is righteously due to the 

 Paisley adventurer. But we cannot perceive why when the 

 fact that he is not entitled to it, is clear as a sunburst to any 

 observer he should be thrust, rather than elevated into an 

 equal rank with Audubon. It has been too much the way of 



