1816.} Alexander IWilson. 4ll 
the exertions of his pupils than he did on the author of American 
Ornithology, I don’t much wonder that storms and tempests should 
desolate this seminary, and damp the energies of its inhabitants.” 
“ Arrived at —— Called on the Governor at the Health 
Office; there were several Gentlemen in company. He turned overa 
few leaves very carelessly, asked some trifling questions, and then 
threw the book down, saying—“ I don’t intend to give an hundred 
and twenty dollars for the knowledge of birds!” Taking up a 
newspaper he began to read. I lifted the book, and, without say- 
ing a word, walked off with a smile of contempt for this very polite 
and very /earned Governor. If science depended on such avimals 
as these, the very name would long ere now have been extinct. 
“ The City Recorder declared that he never read or bought books 
on animals, fishes, plants, or birds—he saw no use in them! Yet 
this same reptile could not abstain from acknowledging the beauty 
of the plates of my Ornithology.” 
If Mr. Wilson had been treated with disrespect by the vulgar or 
illiterate; he would have imputed it to the right cause—a want of 
breeding. Or if he had been soliciting encouragement to a work 
of which he was not enabled to afford a specimen, whereby its cha 
racter could be estimated, there might be some palliation of con- 
duct, which, placed in the most favourable point of view, must still 
bear the epithet uncivil. But the author of American Ornithology 
addressed himself to persons of rank and of learning. He modestly 
asked support equal to his merits ; he claimed that deference which 
is ever due to the gentleman ; and, to prove himself no pretender or 
impostor, he exhibited his Diploma regium signo majori consig- 
natum, the unquestionable credentials of Science herself. 
Mr. Wilson, after tarrying at home a few days, departed to the 
southward, visiting every city and town of importance, as far as 
Savannah, in the state of Georgia. This journey being performed 
in the winter, and alone, was of course not attended with many 
travelling comforts; and, to avoid the inconveniences of a return 
by land, he embarked im a vessel, and arrived at New York in the 
month of March, 1809. This was rather an unproductive tour, 
but few subscriptions being obtained. 
OF the first volume of the Ornithology only 200 copies had been 
printed. But it was now thought expedient to strike off a new 
edition of 300 more, as the increasing approbation of the public 
warranted the expectation of corresponding support. 
The second volume was published in January, 1810; and our 
indefatigable ornithologist set out for Pittsburg, the latter part of 
the same month, on his route to New Orleans. After conferring 
with his friends on the most eligible mode of descending the Ohio, 
he resolved, contrary to their dissuasions, on venturing in a skiff by 
himself; this mode, with all its inconveniences, being considered 
as best suited to his funds, and as most favourable to his researches. 
Accordingly, on Feb, 24, he embarked in his little boat, and bade 
adieu to Pittsburg. After a variety of adventures he arrived in 
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