Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-10-05

mas dark halrs parted Dack, oispiaye0 toreheso ~"
usually we'll developed; his features were finely
formed. and lighted up by eyes dark and fiery As the
eagles. gave token Of intelligence Of no common
der His eye glanced alternately from the page be-
fore HIM, small and beautiful bird in the room,
utterng against the bars of his wirey prison; at last
closing the book and rising from his seat he excaim
ed: "This description is true, but the drawing Is
bad will paint that bird myself from nature" Be-
fore that days sun went down behind the western
hills, the bird was painted with truth to nature
never exceIled! That young painter was Audi
ben!
This was his irst great effort; the fire Of true
genius, which nothing earth can quench, had long
been smoxlderins in his Bosom; il now burst forth
with an ardor again to be repressed. Young
Audubon had made rough sketches, and drawings,
and copies Of birds often before the time we speak
of but from this hour, the destiny o! his future life
was fixed. He was thenceferth to be the painter,
the historian Of the birds of the great continent Of
North America. Thirty.fve years have rolled over
his head; the fiery Of summer and the frosts Of
winter have left him xnscathed in form or intellect;
his figure is still erect; his sinewy limbs active
ever; his features calm clear, hale and hearty; and
though the hand OF Time has somewha' silvered his
hair his eye still retains the eagle fire that beamed
the word, Audubon is great, an illusrious, an ex-
traordinary man.
Audubon left the City Of New York whilst stills
young man, and went to Louisiana and Kentucky
Here all his leisure time was spent wandering in the
woods, with his gun, pencil and sketch book. At
that early age he had resolved to travel foot
North America, and find every bird it contained,
sketch it from nature, shoot, stuff and finish it. He
ko1d Dna evil L. 81 81.
eccentric and talented John Wilson, the pioneer in
American ornithology, from whom he obtained
much valuable information, and with whom he was
on terms Of the warmest friendship to the day Of his
death. Leaving Louisville he descended the Ohio
st exploring the woods and forests of the then far
west till he reached the Mississippi and after
this he gave up every other business occupation and
pursuit, and devoted himself entirely to this great
undertaking Of describing with pen and pencil, all
the birds Of North America.
His life has been most evcntful and curious one;
sometimes teeming with pleasure and delight; some
times Astounding with pain Of body aud bitterness of
soul. His has been alternately life Of privation,
glory, suerng, delight, want, misery, care, wrong,
prosperity AID happiness. He has crossed and re-
crossed every passable portion OF North America,
at least ten times, aud mostly foot. Alone, un.
needed, unaided, uncheersd, except by the inward
delight thrilling through his own bosom, he has ac
ccmplished most Of the great task that will hand
his name down to Time latest day with never lying
fame.
He has caught, killed, prepared and painted with
his single hand. every known bird in the country,
numbering over 500. He has spent IS years Of his
ustrous life TO effect this he has succeeded in his
task. He has every bird and every ORR
sinal drawing Of each bird In hts possession. He
aas been TO England and succeeded in getting all his
drawings engraved in a style OF excellence ne YER
surpassed. He had no sets only Of his great work
printed Eve volumes forming set Of those seventy
six have been cold in Europe and in the
the United States, at an average OF SlO00 each set
Of $40 plates, the letter press forming q distinct
book. And after accomplishing all this ne has re-
tsrned, At the age Of S. to the city Of New York,
the successful scene Of hiss early efforts, with his
splendid and unr vailed collection Of original draw
ngs, which now in the course Of exhition at the
Lyceum in Broadway
Such is faint outline OF this great mans labors;
'e his still here, but having arranged his beautiful
rawlings he will leave in week, perhaps never to
etsrn. His active, enlightened, original and ener-
,ec mind will not allow him to remain idle even an
he verge Of sixty years Of age. He leaves us with
he warm wishes Of all who know him, on grand
our tnTOuSnIvoRh AmeSsCa, 10 nunt. AlaA paint and
describe allthe qusdrupeds OF North america; and
hat his valuable life may be spared 10 the compile
ion Of this snnobng task we most ferveuiy pray In
he mean time, we have . few words Of whole ONE ad.
rice to give the thousasds Of young, beautiful daugh
Of America, and the thousands Of amable and in
mothers Of great country whose bright
Eyes wilirest upon the columns Of the /" Herald'
odsy. Neglect not the opportunity to see this I'M
valled collection Illustrating the natural history Of
rour country. Neglect not the opportunity to see,
shake hands, and with ,he great ILLUSTRATOR
Il this history In after life, TO have seen Au-
iubos,' will attach itself stigma TO those who
rad tho power n see him and neglected to do sol not
% havssesn great collection will exclude fsom
society. The high value of his great work
renders IL sealed book tho million; but the sight
md study Of tAe masni6cens originals. whence that
work emanatsd, 10 within the compass Of every soal
IN tho city. Go then to the Lycersn.
THE PREssUaK IN WALL SrRrEr For tAs kast
I've days there has been a great pressure in Wall
street. Crowds have assembled opposite the sew
Bank, to witness the very interesting
operation az raising two splcsfd granite columns to
their preyer places, al ,st Of 5000 eacs cash or
tick, we don't know which. The street extending
from the Exchange n the Csstom House vas filled
I'll day, and many carious remarks were made bv
,hase who stopped short in shining fight, At