Burns — On Alexander Wilson. 171 



printers, Messrs. R. and W. Carr, as well as the merits of 

 Messrs. Lawson, Mitrry and Warnicke, in a later volume. He 

 soon found, however, that he could place no dependance in 

 Murry ; ^ and stated to his nephew, William Duncan, "I mean 

 to make it consistant both with the fame, and the interest, of 

 Lawson to do his best for me." 



Lawson needed no spur. He was so anxious to encourage 

 his friend, that frequently after computing the time spent upon 

 perfecting his work, he found his reward did not amount to 

 more than fifty cents per day.- Think of one of the most ex- 

 pert copper-plate engravers in all America, working for so 

 mean a pittance. This was friendship of the most substantial 

 kind tO' Wilson. 



By April 8th, 1807, Wilson had received the proofs of the 

 prospectus, 2500 copies of which were printed on fine paper ; 

 and one of the plates having been completely finished by Law- 

 son, the copper-plate printer set to work immediately to print 

 each bird in its natural colors in place of the customary black 

 ink, which would have affected the finer tints of hand-coloring ; 

 and before May 22nd, impressions of the first two plates 

 delivered. Wilson taking the responsibility of securing well- 

 colored specimen sheets for Boston, New York, Charleston, 

 and elsewhere; experienced some difficulty in laying on the 

 color wash. While in New York city, October 3nd, in the 

 interests of his employers, he met Robert Fulton, who became 

 a subscriber. Close and constant application to his manifold 

 engagements during the summer, afrected his health, but he 

 could not be induced to lake a collecting trip through the State 

 until August. Finally in September, 1808, an edition of 200 

 copies of the initial volume, consisting of 6 pages of preface, 

 158 pages of text, and 9 beautiful plates exhibiting 34 hand- 

 colored figures of birds, appeared : to be sold by subscription 

 at $12. per copy. 



* George Murry, a native of Scotland, removed to Philadelphia 

 about ISOO. Engraved Ree's Cyclopedia, Senior member of the firm 

 of banknote engravers : Murry, Draper, Fairman & Co. Reckless 

 and improvident, died poor about 1822. 



^ Ord's Life of Wilson. 



