Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-09-04
mon OF England and Franco ~ ~. .''''@s'$ :

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great distinction, and obtained in all,
ono hundred and seventy subscribers,
Of, whom about eighty wore Europe
ans. Whilo tho first volume was in
course of preparation, ho returned
to America, and spent another year
in ranging tho forests to add to his
store. In 1859, tho first OF his Won
doriui works appeared, consisting Of
a hundred colored plates, and rop-
of hundred colored plates, and rep
resenting nihoty-rinc varieties OF
birds. Tho volume excited onthusi-
asm wherever it was received. Tho
king Of France and king of Englan
inscribed their names at tho head OF
his list of subscribers. The principal
learned societies of London and Paris
added Audubon to the number of
their members, and tho great natural.
lists Cuvicr, Humboldt, Wilson and
othors, joined in a chorus of praise.
The work which consisted of four
volumes of engravings and five of
lettcr-pross, was completed in 1880.
For the later volume, he again passed
three years in exploration, and one
time, was enabled to study the birds
on the coast of Florida in a vessel
which tho government of the United
statos placed at his disposal. Return.
ing to Now York, he pnrchased a
beautiful residence on tho shores of
the Hudson, near tho city, where no
prepared for tho press an edition OF
his great work upon smaller paper, in
seven volumes, which was completed
in 1874.
Many Now Yorkers remember that
about that time ho exhibited in that
city q wonderful collection of his
original drawings, which contained
several thousands of animals, oil of
which be had studied in their native
homes, all drawn Of tho size of life
by his own hand, and all represented
with their natural foliage around
them.
He WEE now sixty-f five years of ago,
but his natural vigor appeared in no
degree ahatcd. Park Goodwin, who
&now him we'll ut that timc, describes
him as possessing all tho sprightlinoss
and vigor Of q young man. lie was
tall and remarkably well formed, and
thoro was IN bis countenance singu-
lar blchding Of innocence and ambition
Lis head was exceedingly remarkable.
"The forehead high," says Mr.. God
win, "archcd, and unclouded; the
hairs of tho brow prominent, particu.
la,ly at the root of tho nose, which
was long and aquiline; chin prominent,
and mouth characterized by enorgy
and determination. The eyes wore
dark grey, set deeply in tho head, and
as restless as tho glance of all eagle >
His manners were exceedingly gentle,
and his conversation full Of point and
spirit. Still unsatisGcd, he undertook
IN his old ago q now work on the
quadrurcds Of America, for which he
had gathered much material in his
various journeys. Again no took to
tho woods,--accompanicd, however,
now by his two sons Victor and ohm,
who had inhorited much Of his talent
and zeal.
Returning to his homo on tho bauks
of the Hudson, he proceeded loisurely
to prepare his gatherings for tho
press, assisted always by his tons and
othor friends. "Surrounded" he
wrote, "by all tho mombers of my
dear family, enjoying the affection of
numerous friends who have never
abandoned me, and possessing suf1i.
cient share of all that contributes to
make life agreeable, lifted my CRATE.
full eyes toward tho Supreme Being,
and feel that I am happy"
He did not live to complete his work
upon the quadrupeds. Attacked by
disease in his seventy.frst year, which
WAS the year 1851, he died so peace
fnhy that it was more like going to
sIeep than doath. His remains were
buried in Trinity Cemetery, which ad.
Joins his residence.
His sons, it is said, hare continued
tho labors Of their father, and deaign
one day to publish the work on the
.quadrupeds Of America. Mr. Audubon
also Lett an autobiography, which, per-
haps, may see the light. Besides his
,eminence as an artist, Audubon was a
vigorous und picturesque writer. Some
passages of his descriptions Of Che hab.
it's Of the birds are among the finest
pieces Of writing yet produced in
America, and baye beon ,mado .famil-
lar tothe public through the medium of
II q