1916.] Alexander Wilson. 835 
being most likely to restore the balance of his mind, and as an 
employment well adapted to one of his recluse habits and inclina- 
tions. To this end sketches of the human figure, and landscapes, 
were provided him; but his attempts were so unpromising that he 
threw them aside with disgust ; and concluded that one at his period 
of life, being near 40, could never succeed in the art of delinea- 
tion. His friend Mr. Bartram now advised a trial at birds; and 
being tolerably skilful himself, exhibited his port-folio, which was 
graced with many specimens from his own hands. ‘The attempt 
was made, and succeeded beyond the expectation of Mr. Wilson, © 
or that of ‘his friends. There was’a magic in the employment 
which aroused all the energies of his soul; he saw, as it were, the 
dayspring of a new creation ; and from being the humble follower 
ef his instructors, he was soon qualified to lead the way in the 
charming art of imitating the works of the Great Original. 
If a.momentary digression from our subject would be pardoned, 
the writer of this sketch would suggest the idea of erecting in that 
classical retreat, Bartram’s Botanic Garden, a rural monument or 
altar, dedicated to the amiable Genius of Painting, as to her in- 
spiration the world is indebted for the American Ornithology. 
That Mr. Wilsen likewise succeeded tolerably well in delineating 
flowers, appears from the following note to’Mr. Bartram, dated 
Nov. 20, 1803 :— 
“ I have attempted two of those prints which Miss Nancy * so 
obligingly, and with so much honour to her own taste, selected for 
me. I was quite delighted with the anemone, but fear I have made 
but bungling work of it. Such as they are I send them for your 
inspection and opinion; neither of them is quite finished. For 
your kind advice towards my improvement, I return my most 
grateful acknowledgments, 
«* The duties of my profession will not admit me to apply to this 
study with the assiduity and perseverance I could wish. Chief part 
of what I do is sketched by candle-light ; and for this I am obliged 
to sacrifice the pleasures of social life, and the agreeable moments 
which I might enjoy in company with you and your amiable friend. 
{shall finish the other some time this week ; and shall be happy if 
what I have done merit your approbation.” 
As Mr. Wilson advanced in drawing, he made corresponding 
progress in a knowledge of ornithology. He had attentively 
perused the works.of the naturalists of Europe, who had written on 
_ the subject of the birds of America ; and became so disgusted with 
their caricatured figures, fanciful theories, fables, and misrepresen- 
tations, that on turning, as he himself observes, from these barren 
and musty records to the magnificent repository of the woods and 
fields—the Grand Aviary of Nature, his delight bordered on adora- 
tion. Jt was not in the inventions of man, the reveries of the 
~ -* Mr. Bartram’s niece, now the consort of Col, Carr, of the U, S, army, 
