THE INVITATION. 207 



panions. He has one more resource, one more ave- 

 nue of delight. He, indeed, kills two birds with one 

 stone, and sometimes three. If others wander, he can 

 never go out of his way. His game is everywhere. 

 The cawing of a crow makes him feel at home, while 

 a new note or a new song drowns all care. Audubon, 

 on the desolate coast of Labrador, is happier than any 

 king ever was ; and on shipboard is nearly cured of 

 his sea-sickness when a new gull appears in sight. 



One must taste it to understand or appreciate its 

 fascination. The looker-on sees nothing to inspire 

 such enthusiasm. Only a little feathers and a half- 

 musical note or two ; why all this ado ? " Who would 

 give a hundred and twenty dollars to know about the 

 birds ? " said an eastern Governor, half contempt- 

 uously, to Wilson, as the latter solicited a subscription 

 to his great work. Sure enough. Bought knowledge 

 is dear at any price. The most precious things have 

 no commercial value. It is not, your Excellency, mere 

 technical knowledge of the birds that you are asked to 

 purchase, but a new interest in the fields and woods, 

 a new moral and intellectual tonic, a new key to the 

 treasure-house of nature. Think of the many other 

 things your Excellency would get ; the air, the sunshine, 

 the h,ealing fragrance and coolness, and the many re- 

 spites from the knavery and turmoil of political life. 



Yesterday was an Octbber day of rare brightness 

 and warmth. I spent the most of it in a wild, wooded 

 gorge of Rock Creek. A persimmon-tree which stood 



