202* MEMOIR OF JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 
ings before departing, placed them in a wooden box, and gave them 
in charge toa relative, with injunctions to see that no injury should 
happen to them. He was absent for several months; but when he 
returned, it was not long, as may be presumed,ere he looked after 
his treasure. ‘The box was produced and opened: and “ reader,” he 
says, ‘feel for me.”’ A pair of Norway rats had taken possession of 
the whole, and had reared a family amongst the gnawed bits of paper, 
which, but a fefW months before, represented nearly a thousand in- 
habitants of the air! The catastrophe nearly overcame him; but 
after several sleepless nights and miserable days, his spirits rallied. 
He took up his gun, his note-book, his pencils again; he went once 
more forth into the woods as gaily as if nothing had happened ; nay, he 
declares how he felt pleased to think, that he might now make much 
better drawings than before; and ere a period not exceeding three 
years had elapsed, he had his portfolio filled again. 
Having in vain tried to publish his Illustrations in America, Au- 
dubon sailed for England. He arrived at Liverpool, and from the 
letters which he brought over with him soon procured a host of 
friends there, and afterwards in Manchester and Edinburgh. In the 
latter city several Philosophical Societies, and others belonging to the 
fine arts, spontaneously and gratuitouslyenrolled him as a member. 
He also commenced in Edinburgh, the publication of his Illustrations, 
and afterwards carried it on in Loudon. To Britain, he acknowledges 
that he owes nearly all his success. It was that country that first fully 
appreciated and encouraged his efforts. She furnished the artists 
through whom his productions were presented to the world; she 
granted him the highest patronage and honour; and to Britain he 
ever will bear the deepest gratitude. France too, was not insensible 
to his merits. In 1828, when he visited that country, Baron Cuvier 
read a highly laudatory report of the ‘Birds of America,” before the 
Institute, and there he also received a number of subscribers to his 
magnificent work. On returning to his native land, he found a kind 
and encouraging reception. There, where he is still pursuing his 
wonted studies, or at intervals giving to the world his Illustrations, 
and his Biography of the illustrated birds, he has acknowledged 
that a support now equal to what he received in Europe is afforded 
him. It is believed that he had earned a moderate competency some 
years ago. His fame as an enthusiastic, penetrating, and scientific 
observer is established beyond all cavil. ‘That fame is on the in- 
crease; wherever he goes the sympathy and good wishes of many go 
with him; the consciousness of which cannot but be a sweet reward 
to a genius and a cheerful disposition, such as Audubon is known to 
possess in an eminent degree. 
Audubon is now a man beyond the meridian of human life; but he 
scruples not to penetrate still the trackless and immeasurable woods 
of America, encountering dangers and privations which few are ca- 
pavle of conceiving, who have not witnessed the awful grandeur of 
an American wilderness, where the deep silence is only disturbed, by 
day, by the scream of the Vulture, the Eagle, or the Raven, and by 
night, the dreary hootings of the great-eared Ow] and his congeners, 
while at every step he is liable to tread on the poisonous Rattlesnake, 
or other noxious reptiles. The mountains and rocks, the rivers, lakes, 
