202 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
was this granted. Unconsious of the weakness 
of vacillation in purpose or practice for one day, 
he pursued unflinchingly an absorbing principle 
of action, not only at the sacrifice of leisure, ease, 
and indulgence, but at the cost of danger, depri- 
vation, and the most arduous endurance. 
The naturalist, compelled to undergo the pain 
of separation, to wander in solitude, to suffer 
daily toil and peril, is called upon pre-eminently 
to “live by faith’—to anticipate with dauntless 
hope, compensation in the future for temporary 
ills, and thus living in fhe exercise of fortitude, 
patience, and industry, he cannot fail to be 
strengthened and ennobled. 
By this faith it was the happiness of Audubon 
to live. “My heart was nerved,” he tells us, 
relating the obstacles which attended his career, 
“and reliance on that power on whom all must 
depend, brought me bright anticipations of suc- 
cess.” 
Sixteen years had been the period calculated 
.upon by him for the accomplishment of his task. . 
During that time, with unremitting zeal, he had 
applied himself to its worthy fulfilment. Visions 
of this most eagerly desired satisfaction would 
present themselves to cheer him on his laborious 
way, while sensibility to the beauties of nature, 
proportioned to the intensity of his love, was the 
source of refreshment and delight. As the glo 
