LIFE OF WILSON. 6 l v if 



of the different places that we passed, as we went up the Sus- 

 quehannah; every thing of this kind, with hunting anecdotes, 

 &c. I wish you to collect in your way down. The remainder 

 of the poem will, I hope, be superior to what is already writ- 

 ten, the scenery and incidents being more interesting; and will 

 extend to at least another fifteen hundred lines, which will make 

 in all about three thousand. * The notes will swell it to a tole- 

 rable size. 



"The i Rural Walk? which I published last summer in 

 the Literary Magazine, has been lately republished in the Port 

 Folio, t with many commendations on its beauties. The ' So- 

 litary Tutor' met with much approbation. But I reserve my 

 best efforts for the remainder of the ( Foresters.' 



" I have not mentioned anything of the sale of the land, nor 

 shall I until the business is finally concluded. I shall expect to 

 hear from you at least twice yet before you arrive; and I hope 

 you will make no unnecessary delay in returning. As you cut 

 a pretty ragged appearance at present, and want something to 

 laugh at, suppose you set your muse to work upon your tatter- 

 demalian dishabille. The former neatness of your garb, con- 

 trasted with its present squalidness, would make a capital sub- 

 ject for a song, not forgetting the causes. But you are in the 

 dress of the people you live among: you are therefore in cha- 

 racter. B. had a hat on when I was up in your quarter, the rim 

 of which had been eaten off, close to his head, by the rats, or, 

 perhaps, cut off to make soles to his shoes; yet it was so com- 

 mon as to escape observation. I saw another fellow, too, at the 

 tavern, who had pieces cut out of his behind, like a swallow's 

 tail." * 



The spring of the year 1805 gave to the enraptured view of 

 our naturalist his interesting feathered acquaintance. He lis- 

 tened to their artless songs ; he noted their habitudes; he sketch- 



* Tliis poem, as published in the Port Folio, contains two thousand two 

 hundred and eighteen lines. It is illustrated with lour plates, two of which 

 were engraved by George Cooke of London. 



t For April 27, 1805. 

 VOL. I. H 



