1316.] Alexander Wilson. 339 
“¢ Union School, July 2, 1805. 
« [ dare say you will smile at my presumption, when I tell you 
that I have seriously begun to make a collection of drawings of the 
birds to be found in Pennsylvania, or that occasionally pass through 
it: 28 as a beginning I send for your opinion, They are, I hope, 
inferior to what I shall produce, though as close copies of the ori- 
ginals as I could make, One or two of these I cannot find either 
in your nomenclature, or among the seven volumes of Edwards. 
Any hint for promoting my plan, or enabling me to execute better, 
I will receive from you with much pleasure. I have resigned every 
other amusement, except reading and fiddling, for this design, 
which I shall not give up without making a fair trial, 
“© Criticise these, my dear friend, without fear of offending me 
—this will instruct, but not discourage me ; for there is not among 
all our naturalists one who knows’so well what they are, and how 
they ought to be represented. In the mean time accept of my best 
wishes for your happiness—wishes as sincere as ever one human 
being breathed for another. ‘To your advice and encouraging enco- 
miums I am indebted for these few specimens, and for all that will 
follow. They may yet tell posterity that I was honoured with your 
friendship, and that to your inspiration they owe their existence.” 
The plates illustrative of the natural history of Edwards were 
etched by the author himself. Mr. Wilson had examined them 
very attentively, and felt assured that, with a little instruction in 
the art of etching, he could produce more perfect delineations 5 
and would be enabled, by his superior knowledge of colouring, to 
finish the figures for his contemplated work in a style not inferior to 
his spirited and beautiful drawings from nature. 
Mr. Lawson was of course consulted on this occasion, and cheer- 
fully contributed his advice and assistance in the novel and difficult 
enterprise. Wilson procured the copper; and, his friend having 
laid the varnish and furnished the necessary tools, he eagerly com- 
menced the important operation, on the successful termination of 
which his happiness seemed to depend. 
Let the reader pause and reflect on the extravagance of that 
enthusiasm which could lead a person to imagine that, without any 
knowledge of an art derived from experience, he could at once 
produce that effect which is the result only of years of trial and 
diligence. 
‘The next day after Mr. Wilson had parted from his preceptor, 
the latter, to use his own words, was surprised to behold him 
bouncing into his room, crying out, “ I have finished my plate! let 
us bite it in with the aquafortis at once, for I must have a proof 
before I leave town !” * Lawson burst into laughter at the ludicrous 
* For the information of those of our readers who are unacquainted with the 
process of etching, we subjoin the following explanatory nete:— : 
