LIFE OF WILSON. cv 



works of any kind, however great their merits may be ; and the poor author's 

 feelings are little regarded. Few men have known this more experimentally 

 than myself. I have sacrificed everything to publish my Ornithology — have, 

 written six volumes, and am engaged on the seventh. * * * 



" I have frequently conversed with Mr. Bradford about publishing a trans- 

 lation of your Forest Trees ; and you may rest assured that, should it be under- 

 taken, I will use all my influence in its favor. Were you here yourself, I have 

 no doubt but it would be undertaken, and I think with success, for all who 

 have seen it admire it. I procured our good friend, Mr. Wm. Bartram, a 

 sight of it, and he was greatly delighted with its appearance. One of my 

 friends read a great part of it in Englisli to him, and he was highly satis- 

 fied. * * * 



" Dr. Barton has not yet published his General Zoology ^^ which he has 

 been announcing, from time to time, for so many years. It is much easier to 

 say these things than do them. * * * 



" Mr. Wm. Bartram is still as you left him, and you are frequently the 

 subject of our conversation at table. I have made many extensive excursions 

 lately, and have discovered, in all, about forty new species of Land Birds, 

 never taken notice of ^by any other writer. I am now engaged on the Water 

 Birds; and had just returned yesterday from the seashore when your letter 

 was presented to me. Dr. H. and Mr. P. have both publicly announced your 

 work, but, as no translation has been yet made, it has not been reviewed by 

 any of our writers. * * * 



"Wishing you all the success which is justly due to the labors, journeys, 

 and investigations, you have made in behalf of Natural History, I remain, &c." 



In September, 1812, Wilson undertook a journey into the eastern states, for 

 the purpose of visiting his subscribers, and settling accounts with his agents. 



To Mr. George Ord. 



"Boston, October 13th, 1812. 

 "Dear Sir. 



" It is not in my power at present to give you anything more than a slight 



sketch of my rambles since leaving Philadelphia. My route up the Hudson 



aff"orded great pleasure, mingled with frequent regret that you were not along 



with me, to share the enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we 



passed within ten miles of the celebrated Catskill Mountains, a gigantic group, 



clothed with forest to the summits. In the river here I found our common 



* This work, which it was the intention of the late learned professor to entitle " Ele- 

 ments of Zoology," after being ten years in the press, was advanced no further than^/'H^- 

 air pages, in octavo, at the death of the author. It docs not appear that he left much 

 manuscript matter in continuation, consequently the public will derive no benefit from a 

 work, whicii is too incomplete for publication. The printed sheets I have read, not only 

 with satisfaction, but instruction ; and cannot forbear expressing my regret that an under- 

 taking, which Dr. Barton certainly knew how to perform, and to which his learning was 

 adequate, should have been suffered to perish in embryo. The art of concentrating his 

 talents, was one for which tlic professor was not greatly distinguished. 



