56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [NOV. 5, 



desire, for the study and careful investigation of that scientific- 

 portion of liis subject, of which he frankly declared himself to 

 have been ignorant. 



But we admire in him the painstaking observer, the field 

 naturalist, who, daunted l)y no ditliculties, penetrated the un- 

 known forests, living with the Indians, or in the midst of 

 scarcely less savage beasts, encountering with cheerful courage 

 unnumbered privations, hunger, cold, storms and oppressive 

 heat, to secure specimens which afterwards were made to live 

 again in the pages of his immortal work. 



He was the type of that class of naturalists whose labors pro- 

 vide the means l)y which his more scientific brothers are enabled 

 to reach definite conclusions, demonstrate Nature's problems 

 and explain the laws by which her kingdom is governed. 



There is not now left much for me to tell. Audubon returned 

 from his last expedition in Octol)er, 1843, and immediately be- 

 gan to work upon his Quadrupeds of America, the first volume 

 of which appeared two years afterwards. He lived on his place, 

 now known as Audulton Park, at that time far removed from 

 the bricks, dust and grime of the great city, whicii he could 

 never tolerate. '' Ah," he once said, " how often when I have 

 been abroad on the mountains, has my heart risen in grateful 

 praise to God, that it was not my destiny to waste and pine 

 among the noisome congregations of the city." 



The first volume of the Quadrupeds was his last work. He 

 retained his simple habits, passed much of his time in the woods 

 or at his easel ; but he was now verging towards three score and 

 ten, and while the love of his pursuit was as great as ever, the 

 number of his accomplished years had tempered the ardor of 

 his energetic spirit, and the fire of his youthful passion was 

 gradually lapsing into a fitful glow. 



His life was peaceful and happy, surrounded, as he writes " by 

 all the members of my dear family, enjoying the affection of 

 numerous friends, Avho have never abandoned me, and possessing 

 a sufficient share of all that contributes to make life agreeable. 

 I lift my grateful eyes towards the Supreme Being and feel that 

 I am happy." 



One day he discovered that he could not adjust his glasses so 

 as to find a focus upon his canvas, and from that moment he 

 began to fail. The devoted wife, who had always been his 

 mainstay throughout his chequered career, now never left him, 

 reading to him, and during his walks about the grounds that 

 surrounded tiie house and which stretched to the banks of the 

 Hudson, was always at his side. But the once erect, lithe and 

 agile figure was now lost in the feeble form of a weak old man. 



