ENCOURAGEMENT, 183 
CHAPTER XIV. 
| PITE the enthusiastic admiration of Audubon 
for the Scottish highlands, and the numerous 
attractions, as well as grateful associations that 
linked him to the English metropolis, which he 
subsequently visited, his heart yearned for the 
majestic woods of his beloved land. 
Previous to his departure for America, how- 
ever, the gladness of anticipated return to his 
native shores, the satisfaction of witnessing the 
increasing success of his work, and the encour- 
agement afforded him by a still extending circle 
of subscribers in Europe, were sources of hap- 
piness alloyed by one distress—anxiety respect: 
ing the precarious health of his wife. The thought 
of separation too, and his approaching absence 
heightened his solicitude, denied that dearest 
consolation of watching over its object. But at 
this trying juncture, he was solaced by the ready 
sympathy and benevolence of friendship, in the 
unfailing kindness of Mr. Philips, at that time 
the medical adviser of his family, whom he had 
but recently numbered among the subscribers te 
