Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-06-28
MISCELLANEOUS.


AUDUBoN-THE BIRDS OF AMERICA.
We hail with ordinary qualification the approach
inc termination of the great work OF the American or
n,,holopist The fourth and last volume OF plates has
made its appearance, and another OF text VIII ofins me
publicationio close. Many years OF aborious exer
ton amid difficulties sufficient TO weary the most long
suffering patience aud overcome the stouest courage
has the preseveing author devoted 10 this great work
and the prospect of its pr"xmae and successful ierm
nation but awaken in his breast The most lively
feelings Of satisfaction and pride Throughout his ardu
Gus labors he has been chiefly sustained by that self
wardng devotion 10 science and love Tor the beautiful
objects of his studies. without which no foreign ASSIST
lnce exrinsc advantages conId have awaited 10 con
sumate the elevated purpose which he had set beiure
him. In the progress Of his COMPREHENSIVE under.ak
ing he has had to perform many journeys and voyages
several times has he crossed the broad Atlantic; he has
traversed the Northern portion OF the American CONT
nent from The seaboad the far West; from the bleak
coast Of Labrador the frttes cape OF Florida But
TO him this has been labor oil love. His delight has
been to live among the "Birds Of America lie IS &C
tuaed by enthusiasts for The iea,hered songs
ters Of The air. and the winged denzens of The ores,
They his favore companions the idols OF his heart
He feel hmset kindred with them; Of
the feather II the doctrine Of the metempsy cho
sis be true, Audubon has either emerged from is des
tined, al his death, to enter. the body OF bird We
can conceive Of nothing more amlabie or interesting
than this beautiful enthusiasm for those fair creatures OF
the Deity who has been finely said represent in the
animal kingdom, the flowers of the vegetable world
But his admiration is not exclusive. II embraces all
those natural objects and incidents which kindred 10
his pursuits. The majestic forest, the waving prairie
the solitary strand Of the winding river, the
bosomed lake-all the productions of nature beast, fish,
reptile nsect-the rowing adventure the stealhy epas
OF the hunter, the messy bed beneath the Chaldean
canopy of slars all these for share Of his love
and admiration Listen to the following eloquent pas
sage and say reader-cockney though you be by birth
and babs-if you not tempted 10 snatch trusy
gun, buckle knapsack your shoulders and sally
forth in quest OF adventure:
.sThe life which have led has been in respects
a singular Think Of person intent such pur
suits mine have been, aroused al early dawn from his
rude COUCH the ader.frnged brook Of Northern
valley, 10 the midst Of yet pored forest of
the West or perhaps the soft aud sands Of the
Florida shores, and listening 10 the pleasing melodies OF
songsters innumerable, salutng the magnificent orb
from whose radiant influence the creatures OF many
worlds receive life and light Refreshed and renvigo
rated by heahu rest he starts upon his feet, gathers
mp his store of curiosilies buckles his knapsack
shoulders his rusty frelock, says kind word 10 his
faithful dog and recommencrs his pursuit Of geological
knowledge Now The morning is spent, and squirrel
or trout affords him repas Should the day be warm
be reposes for time under the shade of tree
The woodland choris'ers again burst forth into song
and he starts anew to wander wherever bis fancy
may direct him. the objects Of his search may lead
him in pursuit. When evening approaches, and the
birds betakng themselves 10 their retreats h
looks for place of safety ersct his shed of greer
boughs kindes his fire. prepares bis mes, and, h
widgeon blue winged teal, perhaps the breas, of
turkey, or steak OF venson sends its delicious per
fumes abroad he enters into his parchment bound
nal the remarkable incidents and facts that have
red in the of the day Darkness has drawn
her sable curtain The his repast finished
and kneeng on the earth, he raises his soul to heaven
grateful for the protection that has been granted TO him
and the of the Divine presence in this soar,
place Then wishing cordial good night Ia all the dea
friends at home, the AMERICAN WoopsMAs wraps him
self up 10 his blanket and closing his eyes soon fall
into that comfortable sleep which fails him suct
occasions"
Audubon history is striking proof Of what may b,
accomplished by high, self relying resolution. II,
has not only had The many obstacles naturally inciden
10 his enterprise, TO cope with, but in The beginning
when encouragement most needed he sufer red FROM
the rrproaches Of "ev tongues His statements were
pronounced 10 be erroneous and his representations
nggerated, if not false We all know how triumph
any his assertions OF the climbing HABITS rather Ia
Guilty, Of the rattesnake and the visual guidance Of h
vulture tribe TO their food, have been sustained; ,h
former BY copous and authentic testimony inciudn!
the confederation Of that good sportsman well Iu
soldier, our worthy o~nsman, Gen Gihson the late
by the conclusive experiments Of the Rev. Mr.. Bach
man, OF Charleston, 5 Z "a name honorable to Ameri
can science,) and his associates. II may not be
the way 10 observe here, that in one of Audubon Int
excursions to the South west he succeeded 10 obtaining
fine specimen Of the climbing rst,esnake, with re
euroed fangs, which, together with Others is now in hi
possession. Yet it was upon these points mainly, that
toned
Win regard 10 the accuracy OF his plates the public
have long since pronounced in their favor. The beauty
OF tne specimens seeced the truth and spirit Of The
utodes Tue picturesque accessories which make eacl
a. Tue same time, characteristic landscape doub,
iess. give relief and hrancy TO his drawings not Il
De found IN any similar productions To eSspgera,,
here, were to deterioa,e for e portrsiture Of these
beautiful inhabitants OF the air is not possible 10 i'm
improve upon or suvpass nature. The a,,emp, were
indeed,
"To gild refined gold to pain, the ly
To throw perfume q the violet"
The richness aud color Of his descriptions derive
character FROM the imaginative mind and ardent
rament Of the author LIE style eest rhomme is French
axiom OF unquestionable Truth. But have The hes
authority for saying that his scientific descriptions ar,
accurate and clear Audubon, like Buffon, has the rar
merit OF combining high literary charm with the Sc
verify and precision e1ac,ed BY science. He is no,
tanning that perec, knowledge of the af6pi,ies
species can be obtained until their internal orgsniza
ton known he has omitted Opportunity Of verify
ing and illustrating his opinion BY careful dissection
preparation of the internal structure. 81 Believe. OBJ
serves he, he time TO be fast approaching when muct
o! the results obtained from the inspection of tlc eric