xxii LIFE OF WILSON. 



" S. continues to increase in bulk, money and respectability; 

 a continual current of elevenpenny bits pouring in, and but 

 few running out. 



" We are very anxious to hear how you got up; and well 

 pleased that you played the Horse Jockey so luckily. If you 

 are fixed in the design of distilling, you will write me, by the 

 first opportunity, before winter sets in, so that I may arrange 

 matters in time. 



" I have got the schoolhouse enlarged, by contributions 

 among the neighbours. In summer the school is, in reality, 

 not much; but in winter, I shall be able to teach with both 



pleasure and profit. 



****** 



" When I told R. of his sister's death, ' I expected so,' said 

 Jamie, f any other news that's curious?' So completely does 

 long absence blunt the strongest feelings of affection and friend- 

 ship. May it never be so with you and me, if we should ne- 

 ver meet again. On my part it is impossible, except God, in 

 his wrath, should deprive me of my present soul, and animate 

 me with some other." 



Wilson next changed his residence for one in the village 

 of Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he again opened a school. 

 But being advised of a more agreeable and lucrative situation, 

 he solicited, and received, an engagement from the trustees of 

 Union School, situated in the township of Kingsess or King- 

 sessing, a short distance from Gray's Ferry, on the river Schuyl- 

 kill, and about four miles from Philadelphia. 



This removal constituted an important era in the life of Wil- 

 son. His school-house and residence being but a short dis- 

 tance from Bartram's Botanic Garden, situated on the western 

 bank of the Schuylkill: a sequestered spot, possessing attrac- 

 tions of no ordinary kind ; an acquaintance was soon contract- 

 ed with that venerable naturalist, Mr. William Bartram,* 



* The author of " Travels through North and. South Carolina, Georgia, 

 East and West Florida," &c. This excellent gentleman closed his long- and 

 useful life on the 22d July, 1823, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. 



