PREFACE 



TO 



THE LIFE OF WILSON. 



In the preface to the first edition of this biographical sketch, the 

 motives of the publication are stated, and the peculiar circumstances 

 under which its author was placed, in respect to materials, are detailed ; 

 there is, therefore, no need of repeating them. 



It has been thought proper to augment the volume, by a selection 

 from the series of interesting letters, which were put into the writer's 

 hands by some of Wilson's personal friends, who were anxious that these 

 memorials should not be lost. It may be, perhaps, objected, that some 

 of them are of too trifling a nature for publication ; but let it be 

 observed that they all, more or less, tend to throw light upon the em- 

 ployments, and peculiarities of character, of an individual of no every 

 day occurrence ; one of those to whose genius we would render homage, 

 and the memory of whom we delight to cherish. 



For the particulars of Wilson's early life, the writer has been indebted 

 to a narrative, in manuscript, which was communicated to him by Mr. 

 William Duncan. This information, coming from a nephew of Wilson's, 

 and his confidential friend for many years, must be deemed authentic ; 

 and we have to regret that the plan and limits of our publication, did 

 not allow us to make a freer use of what was so kindly placed at our 

 disposal. 



To Mr. Duncan, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Lawson, the writer owes many 

 obligations, for the promptitude with which they intrusted to him their 

 letters ; and his acknowledgments are equally due to Colonel Robert 

 Carr, who furnished him with the letters to the late William Bartram. 

 The friendship which subsisted between Wilson and the latter was of the 

 most exalted kind ; and the warm expressions of confidence and regard 

 which characterize these letters, will aiford a proof of how much of the 



