Ixxviii 
MEMOIR OF 
month of August, he had succeeded in completing tbs 
literary materials of the eighth volume of his splendid 
work. His progress had been greatly facilitated by his 
having resided for a considerable ]>art of the years 1811-13 
at the Botanic Garden, with his friend Mr Bartraiu- 
There, remote from the noise, bustle, and interruption of 
the town, he was enabled to dispose of bis time to the 
best advantage ; occasionally solacing his mind Avith 
friendly converse, and recruiting his overworn and sinking 
frame by healthful rambles through the neighbouring 
woods. He now enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing 
that his labours had not been iii vain, and that the valu® 
of his great work was generally appreciated ; for, although 
emanating from a republican country, there was not a* 
this period a crowned head in Europe who had not 
become a subscriber to the American Ornithology. 
In the early i)art of the year 1813, the seventh 
volume was published ; and its indefatigable author immO' 
diately commenced his prei)arations for the next. Bub 
unfortunately, his intense anxiety to conclude his under- 
taking impelled him into an excess of toil, which, however 
inflexible his mind, his bodily strength was unable to 
beai’. This n as occasioned chiefly by his iinding >t 
impossible to procure sutli(riently skilful assistants to 
relieve him from the labour of colouring his plates- 
Those who occasionally made the attempt e.xcited his 
disgust by their glaring caricatures of what were iU' 
tended to be modest imitations of simple nature. HcncOi 
much of his time was spent in the irksome and harassing 
employment of inspecting and correcting the imperfection* 
of others ; while this waste of his stated periods of labo"^ 
was supplied by deep encroachments on those hours whin*’ 
Hature claim.s as her own, consecrates to rest, and 'vif* 
not forego vrithout a struggle ; and which all, who woof*^ 
preserve imiinpaircd the vigour of their mind and bodI> 
must respect. Against this intense and destructive app''" 
