ENCOURAGEMENT. 183 



CHAPTER XIY. 



O PITE the enthusiastic admiration of Audubon 

 *^ for the Scottish highlands, and the numerous 

 attractions, as well as grateful associations that 

 linked him to the English metropolis, which he 

 subsequently visited, his heart yearned for the 

 majestic woods of his beloved land. 



Previous to his departure for America^ how- 

 ever, the gladness of anticipated return to his 

 native shores, the satisfaction of witnessing the 

 increasing success of his work, and the encour- 

 agement afforded him by a still extending circle 

 of subscribers in Europe, were sources of hap- 

 piness alloyed by one distress — anxiety respect- 

 ing tlie precarious health of his wife. The thought 

 of separation too, and his approaching absence 

 beiglitened his solicitude, denied that dearest 

 consolation of watching over its object. But at 

 this trying juncture, he was solaced by the ready 

 sjmipathy and benevolence of friendship, in the 

 unfailing kindness of Mr. Philips, at that time 

 the medical adviser of his family, whom he had 

 but recently numbered among the subscribers to 



