JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 135 
some of which had been made when she 
was with him ; her quickness of percep- 
tion, and their mutual enthusiasm re- 
garding these works of his heart and 
hand, and the tenderness with which 
they unconsciously treated each other, 
all was impressed upon my memory. 
Ever since, I have been convinced that 
Audubon owed more to his wife than the 
world knew, or ever would know. That 
she was always a reliance, often a help, 
and ever a sympathising sister-soul to 
her noble husband, was fully apparent 
to me.’’ 
One notes much of the same fire and 
vigour in the later portraits of Audubon, 
that are so apparent in those of him in 
his youthful days. What a resolute 
closing of the mouth in his portrait taken 
of him in his old age — ‘‘ the magnificent 
grey-haired man !”’ 
In 1847, Audubon’s mind began to 
fail him ; like Emerson in his old age, 
he had difficulty in finding the right 
word. 
