NOBILITY OF CHARACTER. 9 



dial feeling and geniality of heart, which as a 

 richer endowment even than his intellectual su- 

 periority, distinguished so specially and so hon- 

 ourably the renowned Poet Naturalist of the 

 New World. 



Through an amiable modesty, Audubon him- 

 self permits many details of his life to be veiled 

 in obscurity. This, which may reasonably be 

 supposed to increase the difficulty of the bio- 

 grapher in following minutely and accurately 

 his career, is not, however, an insurmountable 

 impediment. From strict attention to the various 

 sources from which information may be gathered, 

 it is comparatively easy to follow, step by step, 

 the fascinating story, edifying from the example 

 it affords, and replete not only from its scientific, 

 but from its moral value, with interest and im- 

 portance. 



