Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-01-01

sessed knowledge of ornithology In the
course Of our conversation was asked how long
it might be until my work should be finished.
When mentioned eight years more the noble
man shrugged up his shoulders, and, signing
said, Il may not see it finished, but my children
WILL and YOU may please to add my name to
the list of subscribers The young people cx-
hlbited mingled expression of joy and sorrow,
and when with them endeavored to dispe the
cloud that seemed to hang over their fathers
mind, he smiled and bade me be sure that the
whole work should be punctually delivered
The solemnity of his manner | could not forget
for several days; | oteh thought that neither
might see the work completed, but at length
| exclaimed, MY sons may And now that
another volume of my illustrations and of my
biographies, is finished, my trust in Providence
is augmented and cannot bat hope that my
sefand my family together may sec the com
pletion Of my labors.
When this was written ten years had elapsed
since the publication of his first plate. In three
years afterwards the fourth volume appeared
The work comprised four hundred and thirty
five plates containing one thousand and sixty
FIVE figures, the size of life exhibiting, as we
have already observed, the habits and climates
of the birds, carefully drawn and cxqnisitely
colored after naturc. And this great under
taking, occupying about thirteen years in the
productlon-nott to speak Of the labor expended
in exploring expeditions for observations and
the collection T specimens, every bird in the
series having been drawn from life by the hand
of the adventurous naturalist-waS carried on
unnterruptcdly, without the continuity oflts
execution being broken for single day, every
one ofthe numbers having been delivered with
exemplary regularity! a fifth volume COM
| pletcd the Biography; and well might Audll-
bon proudly telicitate himself upon the conclu-
sion OF marvellous task, which the most indif-
| terent of his readers cannot contemplate with
out mingled emotions of astonishmcnt and de-
! light. 'Oncc more he says, speaking out of
the depths of his heart, surrounded by the
members fmy dear family, enjoying the coun-
! tenancc of numerous friends who have never
deserted me, and possessing competent share
of all that can render life agreeable, | look MP
with gratitude to the Supreme Being, and feel
that am happy
Honor to him who wrote these grateful
words, and may the happiness he so well de.
serves, and knows so truly how to appreciate,
accumulate around him, and accompany him
with increasing lustre To the close OF his vaiha
| - ID, I,,.l> l. 1
bewidered with small impediments in the nu-
scum comprehend the nature of Audubon's re-
searches. Alone he went forth into wilds, as
cheerful as the birds, and, with the SHOWS OF
bat let him give a sample of his experience in
his own fresh and Characteristic way:
'The adventures and vicissitudcs that have
fallen to my lot, instead of tending to diminish
the tervd enthusiasm of my nature, have i'm
parted toughness to my bodily constitution,
naturally strong, and to my mind, naturally
bcoyant an elasticity such as to assure that
thotgh somewhat old, and considerably denu-
ded in the frontal region, could yct perform
on foot journey of any length, were | sure
that | should thereby add materially TO our
knowledge of the ever interesting creatures
which have for so lore time occupied my
thoughts by day, and filled my dreams with
pleasant images. Nay reader had new
lease of life presented to me, should choose
for it the very occupations in which | have
been engaged.
'And, reader, the life which have lcd has
been III some respects singular one. Think
of person, intent on such pursuits as mine
have been, aroused at early dawn from his rude
couch on the alder-fringed brook of some north
ern valley, or IN the midst of some yet unex.
plored forest of the West, or perhaps on the
soft and warm sands of the Florida shores, and
listening TO the pleasing melodies of songters
innumerable saluting the magnificent orb, from
whose radiant influence the creatures of many
worlds receive life and light. Refreshed and
re-nvgorated by healthiul rest he starts upon
his feet, gathers up his store of curiosities,
buckles on his khapsack, shoulders his trnsty
hrelock, says kind word 10 his faithful dog,
and recommences his pursuit of geological
knowledge. Now the morning is spent, and a
squirrel or a trout affords him repast. Should
the day be warm, he reposes for a time under
the shade Of some tree. The woodland ehor.
isters again burst forth into song and he starts
anew, to wander wherever his fancy NAV di.
rect hiIn, or the ebiects of his search may lead
| llul n nIiF-