cvi LIFE OF WILSON. 



reed {Zizania aquatlcii) growing iu great abundance in shoals extending along 

 the middle of the river. I saw flocks of Red-wings, and some Black Ducks, 



but no Rail, or Reed-birds. 



* * * * 



" From this place my journey led me over a rugged, mountainous country, 

 to Lake Champlain, along which I coasted as far as Burlington, in Vermont. 

 Here I found the little Coot-footed Triuga or Phakrope* that you sent tx) Mr. 

 Peale ; a new and elegantly-marked Hawk ; and observed some Black Ducks. 

 The shores are alternate sandy bays, and rocky headlands running into the 

 lake. Every tavern was crowded with oflBcers, soldiers, and travellers. Eight 

 of us were left without a bed ; but having an excellent great-coat, I laid my- 

 self down in a corner, with a determination of, sleeping in defiance of the 

 uproar of the house, and the rage of my companions, who w^ould not disgrace 



themselves by a prostration of this sort. 



* * * * 



" From Lake Champlain I traversed a rude mountainous region to Connecti- 

 cut river, one hundred miles above Dartmouth College. I spent several days 

 with the gun in Groton, and Ryegate townships, and made some discoveries. 

 From this I coasted along the Connecticut to a place called Haverhill, ten 

 miles from the foot of Moose-hillock, one of the highest of the White. Moun- 

 tains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day in ascending to 

 the peak of one of these majestic mountains, whence I had the most sublime 

 and astonishing view that was ever afi"orded me. One immensity of forest lay 

 below, extended on all sides to the farthest verge of the horizon ; while the 

 only prominent objects were the columns of smoke from burning woods, that 

 rose from various parts of the earth beneath to the heavens ; for the day was 

 beautiful and serene. Hence I travelled to Dartmouth, and thence in a direct 

 course to Boston. From Boston I passed through Portsmouth to Portland, 

 and got some things new ; my return was by a difi"ereut route. I have pro- 

 cured three new and beautiful Hawks ; and have gleaned up a stock of remarks 

 that will be useful to me hereafter. 



" I hope, my dear sir, that you have been well since I left you. I have 

 myself been several times afflicted with a violent palpitation of the heart, f and 

 want to try whether a short voyage by sea will not be beneficial. 



" In New England the rage of war, the virulence of politics, and the pur- 

 suit of commercial speculations, engross every faculty. The voice of Science, 

 and the charms of Nature, unless these last present themselves in the form of 

 prize sugars, coffee, or rum, are treated with contempt." 



The excursion to the White Mountains, above mentioned, was succeeded by 

 rather an unpleasant occurrence. The good people of Haverhill perceiving a 

 stranger among them of very inquisitive habits, and who evinced great zeal in 

 exploring the country, sagaciously concluded that he was a spy from Canada, 



* P. Fulicarius. 



f This distressing disease, so well known to the literary student, Wilson was often 

 afflicted with. 



