xiv LIFE OF WILSON. 



In pursuance of this design he printed proposals; and being " resolved," tc 

 adopt his own language, " to make one bold push for the united interests of 

 Pack and Poems," he once more set out to sell his merchandise, and obtain 

 patronage to his work. 



This expedition was unprofitable : he neither advanced his fortune nor re- 

 ceived the encouragement of many subscriptions. Fortunate would it have 

 been for him if, instead of giving vent to his spleen at the supposed want of 

 discernment of rising merit, or lack of taste for the effusions of genius, he 

 had permitted himself to be admonished of his imprudence by the indifference 

 of the public, and had taken that for an act of friendship which his wounded 

 feelings did not fail to construe into contempt. 



But in defiance of discouragement he published his volume, under the title 

 of " Poems, Humorous, Satirical and Serious." The writer of this sketch has 

 it now before him; and finds in it the following remarks, in the handwriting of 

 the author himself i "I published these poems when only twenty-two — an age 

 more abundant in sail than ballast. Reader, let this soften the rigor of criti- 

 cism a little." Dated, " Gray's Ferry, July 6th, 1804." These poems were, 

 in truth, the productions of a boy, who composed them under the most disad- 

 vantageous circumstances. They answered the purpose for which they were 

 originally intended — to gratify the partiality of friendship, and alleviate mo- 

 ments of solitude and despondency. Their author, in his riper years, lamented 

 his rashness in giving them to the world; and it is to be hoped that no one will 

 be so officious as to draw them from that obscurity to which he himself sin- 

 cerely rejoiced to see them condemned. They went through two small editions 

 in octavo, the last of which appeared in 1791. The author reaped no benefit 

 from the publication. 



Mortified at the ill success of his literary undertaking, and probably with 

 the view of withdrawing himself from associates who, instead of advancing, 

 rather tended to retard his studies, Wilson retired to the little village of Loch- 

 winnoch, situated in a delightful valley, a few miles from Paisley. In this 

 sequestered place he had before resided, and he now resorted to it under the 

 pressure of disappointment, and soothed his mind with the employment of let- 

 ters, and spent his vacant hours amid the romantic scenery of a country which 

 was well calculated to captivate one who had devoted himself to the service of 

 the muses. 



While residing at Lochwinnoch he contributed some short prose essays to 

 The Bee, a periodical work which was published at Edinburgh by Dr. Ander- 

 son. Of the merits of these essays I cannot speak, as I have never seen them. 

 He also occasionally visited the latter place, to frequent the Pantheon, wherein 

 a society for debate held their meetings. In this assembly of minor wits he 

 delivered several poetical discourses, which obtained him considerable applause. 

 The particulars of these literary peregrinations have been minutely related to 

 me ; but at this time I will merely state, that be always performed his journeys 

 on foot, and that his ardor to obtain distinction drawing him away from his 

 profession, the only means of procuring subsistence,, he was frequently reduced 

 to the want of the necessaries of life. 



Wilson, in common with many, was desirous of becoming personally 



