202 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



was this granted. Unconsious of the weakness 

 of vacillation in purpose or practice for one day, 

 he pursued unflinchingly an absorbing principle 

 of action, not only at the sacrifice of leisure, ease, 

 and indulgence, but at the cost of danger, depri- 

 vation, and the most arduous endurance. 



The naturalist, compelled to undergo the pain 

 of separation, to wander in solitude, to suffer 

 daily toil and peril, is called upon pre-eminently 

 to " live by faith" — ^to anticipate with dauntless 

 hope, compensation in the future for temporaiy 

 ills, and thus living in the exercise of fortitude, 

 patience, and industry, he cannot fail to be 

 strengthened and ennobled. 



By this faith it was the happiness of Audubon 

 to live. " My heart was nerved," he tells us, 

 relating the obstacles which attended his career, 

 '*and reliance on that power on whom all must 

 depend, brought me bright anticipations of suc- 

 cess." 



Sixteen years had been the period calculated 

 upon by him for the accomplishment of his task. 

 During that time, with unremitting zeal, he had 

 applied himself to its worthy fulfilment. Visions 

 of this most eagerly desired satisfaction would 

 present themselves to cheer him on his laborious 

 way, while sensibility to the beauties of nature, 

 proportioned to the intensity of his love, was the 

 source of refreshment and delight. As the glo- 



