THORNS ON THE ROSE 85 



interest in them has been increased a thousand fold, 

 in knowing that they are the spoils of a life's cam- 

 paign." ^^ Again a series of able articles was started by 

 a just critic, W. B. O. Peabody, in the North Ameri- 

 can Review for April, 1832.^^ Featherstonhaugh de- 

 serves credit for having given Audubon a fair hearing 

 at a critical time, when baiting the American Woods- 

 man was a popular pastime in certain circles at Phila- 

 delphia; in reviewing the Ornithological Biography in 

 1832, this plain spokesman gave what he called "a true 

 history of a conspiracy, got up to utterly break down 

 and ruin the reputation of one of the most remarkable 

 men America ever produced." ^^ 



Audubon's silence under fire of hostile criticism 

 tempted someone in the capacity of a reporter to call on 

 him in London to obtain, if possible, a personal state- 

 ment, but his lips were then sealed and he would only 

 say: "Had I wished to invent marvels, I need not have 

 stirred from my garret in New York or London." 

 However, in writing to Featherstonhaugh from Bulow- 

 ville, East Florida, December 31, 1831, Audubon made 

 this comment : ^* 



If I did not believe the day to be gone by when it was 

 necessary to defend my snake stories, I could send you many 

 curious accounts of the habits of those reptiles ; and I should 

 do it, if it were not that I might be thought to enjoy — too 

 much that triumph which the feeble hostility of three or four 

 selfish individuals has forced upon me. I receive so many acts 

 of real friendship and disinterested kindness, that, I thank 

 God, there is no room left in my heart to cherish unkind feel- 

 ings towards any one. Indeed, I am not now so much sur- 



«See BibUography, No. 136. 

 ^See Bibliography, No. 105. 

 '"See Bibliography, No. 106. 

 "See Bibliography, No. 35. 



