Viii PREFACE. 



ted, that the greater part of these interesting epistles were mis- 

 laid during the latter days of the venerable botanist to whom they 

 were addressed; and that it was through the care of the above- 

 mentioned gentleman they were rescued from oblivion. 



It will be long ere the lovers of science will cease to deplore 

 the event, which snatched from us one so eminently gifted for 

 natural investigations, by his zeal, his industry, his activity, and 

 his intelligence; one who, after a successful prosecution of his 

 great undertaking through a series of eventful years, was de- 

 prived of his merited reward, at the moment when he was about 

 putting the finishing hand to those labours, which have secured 

 to him an imperishable renown. " The hand of death," says 

 Pliny, " is ever, in my estimation, too severe, and too sudden, 

 when it falls upon such as are employed in some immortal work. 

 The sons of sensuality, who have no other views beyond the pre- 

 sent hour, terminate with each day the whole purpose of their 

 lives; but those who look forward to posterity, and endeavour to 

 extend their memories to future generations by useful labours; 

 to such, death is always immature, as it still snatches them from 

 amidst some unfinished design." 



But although that Being, who so often frustrates human pur- 

 poses, thought proper, in his wisdom, to terminate the " unfin- 

 ished design" of our lamented friend, yet were his aspirations 

 after an honourable distinction in society fully answered. The 

 poor despised weaver of Paisley takes his rank among the wri- 

 ters of our country; and after ages shall look up to the Father 

 of American Ornithology, and bless that Providence, which, by 

 inscrutable ways, led him to the only spot, perhaps, of the civi- 

 lized earth, where his extraordinary talents would be encouraged 

 to develop themselves, and his estimable qualities of heart 

 would be duly appreciated. 



Wilson has proved to us what genius and industry can effect 

 in despite of obstacles, which men of ordinary abilities would 

 consider insurmountable. His example will not be disregarded j 

 and his success will be productive of benefits, the extent of which 

 cannot now be estimated. 



