112 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



likely to subscribe. Science or literature has not one friend 

 in this place." 



We will not add to the gloom which has followed the illus- 

 trious life of poor Wilson to his grave, by any officious com- 

 ments upon the tenor of this short narrative. I will add, 

 though, that it should be remembered, in forming any judg- 

 ment of that strong, moody man, that he had bitter woes 

 enough to contend with, not only in his friendless early 

 days, but in the harsh isolation of his weary wanderings and 

 unappreciated after-life, to have grown a gall beneath an 

 angel's wing. Withal, the bursts of sunshine and exultation 

 which shone through his eloquent writings often, show that 

 his inner self had fed healthfully sometimes upon the pure 

 and peaceful teachings of his gentle pursuits. He was a man 

 whose profound genius, darkened by misfortune, was som- 

 brely illuminated by a noble enthusiasm. He, too, may be 

 accepted as a Hunter-Naturalist, but not as first among 

 them all ! To J. J. Audubon, undoubtedly, that high place 

 belongs, though this has been disputed by many, and even 

 Christopher North has been found to assert them as " equals." 



This cannot be admitted here. Then how stands the 

 case? 



When the noble work of Wilson, the unknown Scotchman, 

 began to make its appearance. Ornithology among us was in 

 its infancy, and the freshness of his hardy original genius was 

 promptly recognized and keenly relished abroad, in contrast 

 with the stale, unprofitable treatment of the predominant 

 school of the Technicalists. 



It was at once perceived how much the attractiveness of 

 his subject was heightened by the circumstances of his per- 

 sonal intimacy and association with the creatures described in 

 many of the conditions of natural freedom. 



His fine descriptions had a savor of the wilderness about 

 them. His birds were living things, and led out the heart in 

 yearning through the scenes of a primeval earth to recognize 



