xlviii LIFE OF WILSON. 



way, I will commit a speech to memory which I delivered at Milestown, in the 

 winter of 1800, and pronounce it to you when we are by ourselves in the 

 woods, where we can offend nobody. 



"I have heard nothing from Washington yet; and I begin to think that 

 either Mr. JefFei'son expects a brush with the Spaniards, or has not received 

 our letters; otherwise he would never act so unpolitely to one for whom he 

 has so much esteem as for Mr. Bartram. No luirry of business could excuse it. 

 But if affairs are not likely to be settled with Spain, very probably the design 

 of sending parties through Louisiana will be suspended. Indeed I begin to 

 think that if I should not be engaged by Mr. Jefferson, a journey by myself, 

 and at my own expense, at a time, too, when we are just getting our heads 

 above water, as one may say, would not be altogether good policy. Perhaps in 

 another year we might be able, without so much injury, to make a tour 

 together, through part of the south-west countries, which would double all the 

 pleasures of the journey to me. I will proceed in the affair as you may 

 think best, notwithstanding my eager wishes, and the disagreeableness of my 

 present situation. I write this letter in the school-house — past ten at night — 

 L.'s folks all gone to roost — the flying squirrels rattling in the loft above 

 me, and the cats squalling in the cellar below. Wishing you a continuation 

 of that success in teaching, which has already done you so much credit, I 

 bid you for the present good-night." 



We now approach that era of Wilson's life, in which we behold him 

 emerging from the vale of obscurity, and attaining that enviable distinction, 

 in the republic of science and letters, which it is the lot of but few to enjoy. 



Mr. Samuel F. Bradford, bookseller, of Philadelphia, being about to pub- 

 lish an edition of Rees's New Cyclopfcdia, Wilson was introduced to him as 

 one qualified to superintend the work ; and was engaged, at a liberal salary, 

 as assistant editor. The articles of agreement are dated the 20th of April, 

 1806. 



To Mr. Wm. Bartram. 



" Philadelphia, April 22d, 1806. 

 " My Dear Friend. 



"I take the liberty of informing you that having been importuned to en- 

 gage as assistant editor of that comprehensive and voluminous work, Rees's 

 New Cyclopaedia, now publishing here, and a generous salary offered me, I 

 have now accepted of the same, and will commence my new avocation on 

 Monday next. 



"This engagement will, I hope, enable me, in more ways than one, to pro- 

 ceed in my intended Ornithology, to which all my leisure moments will be de- 

 voted. In the meantime I anticipate, with diffidence, the laborious, and very 

 responsible, situation I am soon to be placed in, requiring a much more general 

 fund of scientific knowledge, and stronger powers of mind, than I am pos- 

 sessed of; but all these objections have been overruled, and I am engaged, in 

 conjunction with Mr. S. F. Bradford, to conduct the publication. In this 

 pursuit I will often solicit your advice, and be happy to communicate your ob- 



