xcviii- LIFE OF WILSON. 



subscriptions. Yet he was not only honored with the names of some respecta- 

 ble individuals ; but also received hospitable treatment from several persons, 

 and those, too, to whom he had not been introduced. It is a singular fact, 

 that from those to whom he had letters of introduction, and from whom most 

 had been expected, he received the fewest acts of civility. 



The principal events of his journey have been given in his letters; but I 

 might select from his diary many interesting passages, if the limits allotted to 

 this memoir would admit of copiousness of detail. 



It is not unusual for scholars to keep diaries when they travel. These wri- 

 tings are commonly the objects of great curiosity, as we are all anxious to know 

 what were the impressions which the incidents of a journey made upon the 

 mind, when it was in the fittest state to receive them. 



For the gratification of the reader, I will make a few short extracts from 

 Wilson's journal, as specimens of his mode of writing these unstudied narra- 

 tives. 



March 9. — Visited a number of the literati and wealthy of Cincinnati, 

 who all told me that they would think of it, viz. of subscribing : they are a 

 very thoughtful people. 



" March 17. — Rained and hailed all last night, set off at eight o'clock, after 

 emptying my boat of the deluge of water. Rowed hard aU day; at noon re- 

 cruited myself with some biscuits, cheese and American wine. Reach the 

 falls — night sets in — hear the roaring of the rapids. After excessive hard work 

 arrive at Beargrass creek, and fasten my boat to a Kentucky one. Take my 

 baggage and grope my way to Louisville — put up at the Indian Queen tavern, 

 and gladly sit down to rest myself. 



" March 18. — Rose quite refreshed. Found a number of land speculators 

 here. Titles to lands in Kentucky subject to great disputes. 



" March 19. — Rambling round the town with my gun. Examined Mr. 



's drawings in crayons — very good. Saw two new birds he had, both 



Motacillse. 



" March 20. — Set out this afternoon with the gun — killed nothing new. 

 People in taverns here devour their meals. Many shopkeepers board in 

 taverns — also boatmen, land speculators, merchants, &c. No naturalist to 

 heep me company. 



" March 21. — Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr. A. Saw a num- 

 ber of sandhill cranes. Pigeons numerous. 



" 3Iarch 23. — Packed up my things which I left in the care of a merchant 

 here, to be sent on to Lexington ; and having parted, with great regret, witli 

 my paroquet, to the gentlemen of the tavern, I bade adieu to Louisville, to 

 which place I had four letters of recommendation, and was taught to expect 

 much of everything there ; but neither received one act of civility from those 

 to whom I was recommended, one subscriber, nor one new bird ; though I de- 

 livered my letters, ransacked the woods repeatedly, and visited all the charac- 

 ters likely to subscribe. Science or literature has not one friend in this place. 

 Every one is so intent on making money that they can talk of nothing else; 



