176 



THE OOLOGIST. 



This Monument 



Covers the Remain's of 



Alexander Wilson . 



Author of the 



American Ornithology. 



He was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 



On the 6th day of July, 1766 



EmigratjiD to the United States 



in the year 1794, 



And died«n Philadelphia, 



OF the Dysentery 



on the 23d of August. 1813. 



Aged 47. 



It is becoming that we append some 

 remarks descriptive of the character of 

 this extraordinary personage. In the 

 Xjreface of the ninth volume of the Or- 

 nithology is a brief sketch of Wilson by 

 his close friend Mr. Ord. We know of 

 no more fitting description of his per- 

 sonal character than that drawn by Mr. 

 Ord, and therefore I take pleasure in 

 submitting to the indulgent reader this 

 gentleman's candid and discriminating 

 account of Wilson's character. 



"Wilson was possessed with the ni- 

 cest sense of honor. In all his dealing 

 he was not only scrupulously just but 

 highly generous. His veneration for 

 truth was exemplary. His disposition 

 was social and affectionate. His ben- 

 evolence was extensiA'-e. He was re- 

 mai'kably temperate in eating and 

 drinking; his love of study and retire- 

 ment preserving him from the con- 

 taminating influence of the convivial 

 circle. But as no one is j)erfect, Wil- 

 son in a small degree partook of the 

 weakness of humanity. He was of the 

 genus irritable, and was obstinate in 

 opinion. It ever gave him pleasure 

 to acknowledge error, when the con- 

 viction resulted from his own judg- 

 ment alone, but he could not endure to 

 be told of his mistakes. Hence his 

 associates had to be spai'ing of their 

 criticisms, through a fear of forfeiting 

 his friendship. With almost all his 

 friends he had occasionally, arising 

 from a collision of opinion, some slight 



misunderstanding, which was soon 

 passed over, leaving no disagreeable 

 impression. But an act of disi'espect 

 he could ill l)rook, audita wilful injury 

 he would seldom forgive. 



"In his person he was of a middle 

 stature, of a thin habit of body; his 

 cheek-bones projected and his eyes 

 though hollow displayed considerable 

 vivacity and intelliqfence; his complex- 

 ion was sallow, his mein thoughtful; 

 his features were coarse, and there 

 was a dash of vulgarity in his physiog- 

 nomy, which struck the observer at the 

 first view, but which failed to impress 

 one on acquaintance. His walk was 

 quick when travelling, so much so that 

 it was dilBcult for a companion to keep 

 pace with him; but when in the forests, 

 in pursuit of birds, he was deliberate 

 and attentive — he was, as it were, all 

 eyes and all ears." 



So lived and died a true friend of 

 science. Those who are acquainted 

 with the incidents of his remarkable 

 life cannot but feel a glowing admira- 

 tion for this truly exalted character. 

 Of all our ornithologists none deserve 

 to be remembered with more profound 

 respect than does Alexander Wilson. 

 The science of ornithology was almost 

 unknown in this country till he made 

 it memorable. He glorified it and 

 made our native birds the envy and 

 admiration of the world. He was the 

 great sculptor who made America's 

 feathered songsters as famous as the 

 primeval forests in which they dwelt. 

 His success was complete, and though 

 he did not live to enjoy it, he certainly 

 anticipated what has come to pass,^ 

 that his work would always be regard- 

 ed as a subject of pride by his adopted 

 country and would secure immortal 

 honor for him whose name it bears. It 

 is fitting to add that he Avas eminently 

 endowed by nature and by art, Avith 

 the qualities of a great naturalist. He 

 concentrated his undivided attention 

 upon the great purpose of his life. He 



