LIFE OF WILSON. xxxi 



most amiable point of view; and they entirely supersede any 

 remarks which I might make upon those social affections that 

 distinguished him through life. 



In his new situation Wilson had many enjoyments; but he 

 had likewise moments of despondency, which solitude tended 

 to confirm. He had addicted himself to the writing of verses, 

 and to music; and, being of a musing turn of mind, had given 

 way to those seductive feelings, which the charming scenery 

 of the country, in a sensible heart, never fails to awaken. This 

 was a fatal bias, which all his efforts could not counteract or 

 remove. His acquaintance perceived the danger of his state; 

 and one in whose friendship he had placed strong reliance, and 

 to whom he had freely unburthened himself, Mr. Lawson, the 

 engraver, entertained apprehensions for the soundness of his 

 intellect.* There was one subject which contributed not a lit- 

 tle to increase his mental gloom, and this was the considera- 

 tion of the life of penury and dependence to which he seemed 

 destined as the teacher of a country school. Mr. Lawson im- 

 mediately recommended the renouncing of poetry and the 

 flute, and the substituting of the amusement of drawing in their 

 stead, as being most likely to restore the balance of his mind; 

 and as an employment well adapted to one of his recluse habits 

 and inclinations. To this end, sketches of the human figure, 

 and landscapes, were provided for him; but his attempts were 

 so unpromising that he threw them aside with disgust; and 

 concluded that one at his period of life could never succeed in 



* The following incident was communicated to me by Colonel Carr, who 

 had it from Wilson himself. While the latter laboured under great depres- 

 sion of spirits, in order to sooth his mind he one day rambled with his gun. 

 The piece by accident slipped from his hand, and, in making- an effort to re- 

 gain it, the lock was cocked. At that moment had the gun gone off, it Is 

 more than probable that he would have lost his life, as the muzzle was oppo- 

 site to his breast. When Wilson reflected on the danger which he had es- 

 caped, he shuddered at the idea of the imputation of suicide, which a fatal 

 occurrence, to one in his frame of mind, would have occasioned. There is 

 room to conjecture that many have accidentally met their end, whose me- 

 mories have been sullied by the alleged crime of self murder. 



