330 Biographical Sketch of (May, 
At an early period of his life he evinced a strong desire for learn- 
ing; and the perusal of old magazines and pamphlets, to which he 
had ready access, was an additional stimulus to further exertion. 
His mind, it is reasonable to conjecture, was not a little agitated 
at the solemn alternative of persecution; or of relinquishing for 
ever the fostering attentions of a parent, to whom he was most 
dutifully and affectionately attached; and he experienced consola- 
tion by devoting his leisure hours to reading and writing. Poetry 
attracted his regard; it was the vehicle of sentiments which were in 
unison with his sanguine feelings: he had early imbibed a love of 
virtue; and it now assumed & romantic cast, by assimilation with 
the high-wrought efforts of fancy, combined with the melody of 
song. 
Caledonia is fruitful of versemen: every village has its poets ; 
and so prevalent is the habit of jingling rhymes, that a scholar is 
considered as possessing no taste if he do not attune the Scottish 
lyre to those themes which the amor patri@, the national pride of 
a Scotsman, has identified with his very existence. 
Burns was now in the zenith of his glory. His verses were on 
the lips of every one; his praises were echoed from the cottage to 
the palace; and from the unexampled success of this humble son of 
genius, many aspired to the honours of the laurel, who otherwise 
would have confined their views of poetical renown to the limited 
circle of their family or acquaintance. Among this number may be 
reckoned our Wilson; who, finding from some short essays, that he 
possessed the talent of poetical expression, ventured to exhibit his 
attempts to his friends, whose approbation encouraged him to re- 
newed perseverance, in the hope of emerging from that condition 
in society which his aspiring soul could not but disdain. 
Mr. Duncan, with a view of bettering his estate, relinquished the 
eccupation of weaving, and became a travelling merchant, or, in 
common language, a pedlar. In his expeditions young Wilson, 
now approaching to manhood, frequently accompanied him; and 
thus was a foundation laid of a love for travelling, which became a 
ruling passion with our author during the remainder of his existence. 
Alexander was now left to shift for himself; and as he was com- 
pletely initiated in the art of trading, he shouldered his pack, and 
cheerfully set out in quest of riches. In a mind of a romantic turn, 
Scotland affords situations abundantly calculated to arouse all those 
feelings which the sublime and beautiful in nature inspire. Wilson 
was a poetical enthusiast; and the bewitching charms of those 
mountains, valleys, and streams, long since immortalized in song, 
filled his soul with rapture, and enkindled all the efforts of his 
youthful muse. From a habit of cantemplating the works of Nature, 
arose an indifference to the vulgar employment of trading, which 
became more disgusting at each interview with the muses; and 
nothing but the dread of poverty induced him to conform to the 
dull avocations of common life. ; 
le occasionally contributed essays to various periodical publica 
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