190 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
joyous bounds, overtake the objects of my desire. At other 
times I was gladdened by the sight of my beloved family, 
seated by their cheerful fire, and anticipating the delight 
which they would experience on my return. The gloricus 
sun would rise, and as its first rays illuminated the earth, I 
would cheer myself with the pleasing prospect of the happy 
termination of my labors, and hear in fancy the praises which 
kind friends would freely accord. Many times, indeed, have 
such thoughts enlivened my spirits; and now the task is 
accomplished. In health and in sickness, in adversity and 
prosperity, in summer and winter, amidst the cheers of friends 
and the scowls of foes, I have depicted the Birds of America, 
and studied their habits as they roamed at large in their 
peculiar haunts. 
That concluding passage is far nobler than “Ven, vidi, 
viet!” as the simple expression of a proud triumphant con- 
sciousness ; for, instead of the intense egotism which renders 
that repulsive as it is celebrated, this is modest and severely 
classic. What a day that was when he could say, “I find 
my journeys all finished, my anxieties vanished, my mission 
accomplished!” What a magnificent perspective could he 
look back through, down the past, more glorious than all 
royalties, than any heritage of earthly princes—and all his 
own! That day has now come in the fulness of time—and, 
glorious ol] man, thy mission is indeed accomplished ! 
