S2 ORNITHOLOGY. 



the ornithology of Alexander Wilson, in nine 

 quarto volumes, and need I say that I am delighted 

 with it beyond measure? He preserves a due me- 

 dium between the dry technology of the Swedish, 

 and the poetical delineations of the French school. 

 Mark Catesby published two volumes in folio on 

 the natural history of America, and George Ed- 

 wards I think,^ seven in quarto. Wilson has far 

 exceeded both, in the correctnets of his delinea- 

 tions, in the beauty of his colouring, and in the 

 number of his descriptions. He has figured and 

 described 278 species — 56 of which were non- 

 descripts. 



The biography of this man would ''point a 

 moral and adorn a tale :" lie had passed through 

 all the vicissitudes of humble life — a weaver and 

 a pedlar, and finally a village schoolmaster. Li 

 all situations respectable, and poising himself by 

 tlie power of great talents, he stood upright while 

 The wheel of fortune revolved under him. 



What posthumous honors have been paid to this 

 great man — what monument has been erected to 

 perpetuate his name? None — none; and if he 

 were now alive, he might say with the old Roman, 

 '' Malim utde me quaerant homines, quam ob rem 

 Catoni non sit posita statua. quam quare sit po~ 

 sita. 



