JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 



THE problem why certain men and women 

 come to eminence, and why others, with 

 apparently as much ability, remain forever in 

 obscurity, is an interesting one to solve. Most 

 persons desire fame ; most persons desire wealth ; 

 but, for one reason or another, thousands fail to 

 achieve what they desire. They lack either single- 

 ness of aim, or adequate perseverance, or deter- 

 mined will, or sound judgment, or, instead of 

 mastering circumstances, they permit circumstances 

 to master them. 



It is so easy to be turned aside in life by trivial 

 matters ; to be interested in our neighbor's wed- 

 ding, or our neighbor's profits and losses. Those 

 who oversee the affairs of others rarely oversee 

 their own. Men become very busy over clubs 

 and pastimes ; women, over social gatherings and 

 appearance, and die with little accomplished. 



Audubon's life furnishes a unique illustration 

 of the result of having a definite purpose, and 

 bending all one's energies to it, till success is 

 attained. 



John James Audubon was born at New Orleans, 

 May 4, 1780, in the land of orange groves and 

 167 



