148 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
stantly bespoke the gentleman and _ polished 
sitizen of the world. He immediately recognized 
the name of Audubon, and declared that he had 
been expxcting to greet him- during the last 
three weexs, having read in the journals of his 
intention to visit Labrador. He then cordially 
welcomed him to his elegant mansion, and its 
pleasant inmates. A chosen collection of books, 
with newspapers from all quarters, evinced that 
no contracting influences of seclusion had chilled 
their sympathies or deadened their interest in 
that society from which they were removed. 
“How had they thus hidden themselves from 
the world, with every incentive to mingle pleas- 
antly and profitably in it?” inquired Audubon. 
“Having mixed once in society,” replied his 
companion, ‘he never wished to return to it. 
‘The country around,” he continued, “is all my 
own, much farther than you can see. No fees, 
no lawyers, no taxes are here. I do just as I 
choose. My means are ample through my own 
industry. Vessels come here for seal skins, seal 
oil, and salmon, and give me in return all the 
necessaries, and, indeed, comforts of the life I 
love to follow. And what else could the world 
afford? My wife and I teach the children all 
that is necessary for them to know, and is not 
that enough? My girls will marry their country- 
men, my sons the daughters of my neighbours, 
