4 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



there is attraction for the lover, no less than the 

 student of nature in the New World. Sources 

 of poetic inspiration and of scientific interest 

 abound, from the genial land of Louisiana, to 

 the inclement regions of Labrador. A very in- 

 tellectual El Dorado for the Naturalist, — no more 

 propitious element could be imagined, for the 

 nativity of Audubon, the Genius of the woods. 



For him nature breathed an irresistibly per- 

 suasive language, and allured, as with a magic 

 charm the loving soul of her disciple — ^favoured 

 inhabitant, he thought, of retreats where surely 

 she must have lingered to scatter her costliest 

 treasures, and display her most winning grace. 

 Gratitude for such a birthright added fresh zeal 

 to the warmth of his love. Eecognizing, more- 

 over, divinity in the impress of beauty on the 

 earth, this love was elevated into worship of the 

 great Spirit of Truth and Light, which brooded 

 over the troubled waters, and still ordains the 

 invariable harmony of the Universe. 



To this worship was doubtless owing that en- 

 tire dedication to his calling, which crowned 

 him with such distinguished honours in his vo- 

 cation, as Naturalist. 



The traits even of his childhood appropriately 

 characterized him for this, his chosen career. 

 Woods, brooks, and wilds were his favourite 

 haunts. 



