326 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



The weather has been perfectly serene and beautiful, and the 

 Bay of New York never looked more magnificent and grand to 

 me. We soon glided across its smooth surface and entered 

 the narrow and sinuous Rantan ; and as I saw flocks of ducks 

 winging their way southward, I felt happy in the thought that I 

 should ere long foUow them to their winter abode. We soon 

 reached the railroad, and crossed to the Delaware, and before 

 six o'clock reached the house of my good friend Dr. Harlan." 



Here Audubon saw many of his old ' friends, visited the 

 public works and institutions, and obtained a few new species of 

 birds. After speaking of the great changes in that city, the 

 journal says : " Passed poor Alexander Wilson's school-house, and 

 heaved a sigh. Alas, poor Wilson ! would that I could once 

 more speak to thee, and listen to thy voice. When I was a 

 youth, the woods stood unmolested here, looking wild and fresh 

 as if just from the Creator's hands; but now hundreds of streets 

 cross them, and thousands of houses and millions of diverse 

 improvements occupy their places : Barton's Garden is the ©nly 

 place which is unchanged. I walked in the same silentious 

 mood I enjoyed on the same spot when first I visited the 

 present owner of it, the descendant of William Barton, the 

 generous friend of Wilson." 



