JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 173 



with no companion to cheer his way, far from the 

 smiles and applause of society ; listening only to 

 the sweet music of birds, or to the sweeter music 

 of his own thoughts, he faithfully kept his path. 



" The records of man's life contain few nobler 

 examples of strength of purpose and indefatigable 

 energy. Led on solely by his pure, lofty, kindling 

 enthusiasm, no thirst for wealth, no desire of dis- 

 tinction, no restless ambition of eccentric character, 

 could have induced him to undergo as many sacri- 

 fices, or sustained him under so many trials. 

 Higher principles and worthier motives alone 

 enabled him to meet such discouragements and 

 accomplish such miracles of achievement. He 

 has enlarged and enriched the domains of a pleas- 

 ing and useful science ; he has revealed to us the 

 existence of many species of birds before unknown ; 

 he has given us more accurate information of the 

 forms and habits of those that were known; he 

 has corrected the blunders of his predecessors ; 

 and he has imparted to the study of natural history 

 the grace and fascination of romance." 



At Mill Grove he came near losing his life, on a 

 duck-shooting expedition, by falling through an 

 air hole in the ice. It was three months before ho 

 recovered. 



At this time " a partner, tutor, and monitor," Da 

 Costa, whom Auduboii's father had sent over to 

 superintend a lead-mine enterprise at Mill Grove, 

 refused to give money to the son and objected to 

 his marrying Lucy Bakewell. Resenting the die- 



