18 IN THE DAYS OP AUDUBON 



He must know a bird and see it in its native wilds 

 before he could paint it well. If one would succeed in 

 any art one must pay the price. Was he willing to do 

 it? Yes, he would gladly forsake society and become an 

 inhabitant of the woods if that would make him the true 

 artist. He saw what his life should be, and it was his 

 meat and drink to pursue it. 



The boy grew to young manhood and set sail for New 

 York — new York? He could cross the city in a short 

 walk then. Could he have dreamed that his statue one 

 day would adorn the city when it should have more than 

 three million inhabitants, and all because he loved Amer- 

 ica, did perfect work, and was true to the gift of his 

 soul! 



Ideals are dreams. Young Audubon returned to Amer- 

 ica with the resolution not only to dream, but to fulfil his 

 father's hopes by " perfect work." 



The admiral's own words in regard to life were* as 

 follows : " Talents and knowledge added to sound mental 

 training, assisted by honest industry, can never fail." 



In a manuscript found in a barn on Staten Island en- 

 titled " Myself " he relates a tale of the beginning of the 

 inspiration which sought to make him the protector of 

 birds and animals from the brutal instincts of man. 



His story is as follows: 



" One incident which is as perfect in my memory as 

 if it had occurred this very day I have thought of thou- 



