4 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
there 1s attraction for the lover, no less taan the 
student of nature in the New World. Sources 
of poetic inspiration and of scientific interest 
abound, from the genial land of Louisiana, to 
the inclement regions of Labrador. A very in- 
tellectual El Dorado for the Naturalist,—no inore 
propitious element could be imagined, for the 
nativity of Audubon, the Genius of the woods. 
For him nature breathed an irresistibly per- 
suasive language, and allured, as with a magic 
charm the loving soul of her disciple—favoured 
inhabitant, he thought, of retreats where surely 
she must have lingered to scatter her costliest 
treasures, and display her most winning grace. 
Gratitude for such a birthright added fresh zeal 
to the warmth of his love. Recognizing, more- 
over, divinity in the impress of beauty on the 
earth, this love was elevated into worship of the 
great Spirit of Truth and Light, which brooded 
over the troubled waters, and still ordains the 
invariable harmony of the Universe. 
To this worship was doubtless owing that en- 
tire dedication to his calling, which crowned 
him with such distinguished honours in his vo 
cation, as Naturalist. 
The traits even of his childhood appropriately 
characterized him for this, his chosen carcer, 
Woods, brooks, and wilds were his favourite 
haunts. 
