xlii LIFE OF WILSON. 



fidently trusted that he would rejoice in the opportunity of 

 making the world better acquainted with a man whose works 

 show such a minute and intimate knowledge of these sub- 

 jects; and from whom he had received so much information. 

 But no not even the slightest allusion, lest posterity might 

 discover that there existed, at this time, in the United States, a 

 naturalist of information superior to his. My dear sir, I am a 

 Scotchman, and don't love my friends with that cold selfish 

 prudence which I see in some; and if I offend in thus speaking 

 from the fulness of my heart, I know you will forgive me. 



"Pinkerton has, indeed, furnished us with many curious 

 particulars unknown, or, at least, unnoticed, by all former geo- 

 graphers; and also with other items long since exploded as fa- 

 bulous and ridiculous; such is his account of the Upas or poi- 

 sonous tree; and of children having been lost in some of our 

 American swamps, and of being seen many years afterwards, 

 in a wild savage state ! But he very gravely tells his readers 

 that the people of Scotland eat little or no pork from a prejudice 

 which they entertain against swine, the Devil having taken 

 possession of some of them two thousand years ago ! What an 

 enlightened people these Scots must be; and what a delicate 

 taste they must be possessed of! Yet I have traversed nearly 

 three-fourths of that country, and mixed much with the com- 

 mon people, and never heard of such an objection before. Had 

 the learned author told his readers that, until late years, Scot- 

 land, though abounding in rich pastures, even to its mountain 

 tops, was yet but poorly productive in grain, fruit, &c. the usu- 

 al food of hogs, and that on this account innumerable herds of 

 sheep, horses and cattle were raised, and but very little pork, 

 he would then have stated the simple facts; and not subjected 

 himself to the laughter of every native of that part of Britain. 



"As. to the pretended antipathy of the Scots to eels, because 

 they resemble snakes, it is equally ridiculous and improbable; 

 ninety-nine out of a hundred of the natives never saw a snake 

 in their lives. The fact is, it is as usual to eat eels in Scotland, 

 where they can be got, as it is in America; and although I have 



