LIFE OF WILSON. xli 



the gun, and kill every bird that comes in your way; and keep written de- 

 scriptions, or the skins, if possible, of those you don't know. Were I able, I 

 would undertake another journey up to you through the woods, while the birds 

 are abundant ; and nothing would give me so much pleasure as to make another 

 extensive tour with you for this purpose ; for I am persuaded that there are 

 many species yet un described; and Mr. Jefferson is anxious to replenish his 

 museum with the rare productions of his country." 



To Mr. Wm. Duncan. 



"Gray's Ferry, May 31st, 1805. 



" Yesterday evening I was finishing a hanging-bird in my silent mansion, 

 musing upon a certain affair, when Mr. L. popped his head in at the window, 

 with a letter. I instantly laid down my pencil, and enjoyed a social crack 

 with my distant friend ; and was heartily and truly pleased with the upshot. 

 In everything relative to this land business, you have acted amidst difficulties 

 and discouragements with prudence and discretion. In refusing to engage 

 with ****** you acted well; and I doubt not but you will be equally 

 circumspect in making a transfer of the property, so that the Yankee will not 

 be able, even if he were willing, to take you in. More than half of the 

 roguery of one-half of mankind is owing to the simplicity of the other half. 

 You have my hearty concurrence in the whole affair, for I impatiently wish 

 you beside me, not only to enjoy your society and friendship, but to open to 

 you the book of knowledge, and enable you, in your turn, to teach it to others. 

 In plain language, I wish you to prosecute your studies with me a few 

 months ; a school will soon be found, and you can then pursue them without 

 expense, and I trust with pleasure. The business has indeed its cares, but 

 affords leisure for many amusements ; and is decent and reputable when 

 properly discharged. I am living in •solitude; spending nothing; diligently 

 attending to the duties of the day; and filling up every leisure moment 

 with drawing and music. I have bought no clothes, nor shall I, this sum- 

 mer ; therefore if you .settle the matter with * * * as you have agreed, we 

 can discharge our obligations to * * * *, and be in a state to go on with 

 your studies for at least six months. Mr. * * * * was here yesterday, and 

 expressed many acknowledgments for the rapid progress ***** is making, 

 for indeed I have exerted myself to pay my obligations to the father by my 

 attentions to the son. 



" I wrote you respecting the letter I had from the president. I have 

 never been able to get a sight of the bird he mentions. I hope you will not 

 neglect to bring your gun with you, and look out as you come along. 



" I have done no more to the ^Foresters.' The journey is brought up to 

 my expedition upon the Seneca Lake. I am much in want of notes of the 

 first settlement, and present state, of the different places that we passed, as we 

 went up the Susquehanna; everything of this kind, with hunting anecdotes, 

 &c., I wish you to collect in your way down. The remainder of the poem will, 

 I hope, be superior to what is already written, the scenery and incidents being 

 more interesting; and will extend to at least another fifteen hundred lines, 



