LIFE OF WILSON. Ixvii 



has already done you so much credit, I bid you for the present 

 good-night." 



We now approach that era of Wilson's life, in which we be- 

 hold him emerging from the vale of obscurity, and attaining that 

 enviable distinction, in the republic of science and letters, which 

 it is the lot of but few to enjoy. 



Mr. Samuel F. Bradford, bookseller, of Philadelphia, being 

 about to publish an edition of Rees's New Cyclopaedia, Wilson 

 was introduced to him as one qualified to superintend the work; 

 and was engaged, at a liberal salary, as assistant editor. The 

 articles of agreement are dated the 20th of April, 1806. 



TO MR. WM. BARTRAM. 



Philadelphia, Jlpril 22d, 1806. 

 "My dear friend, 



"I take the liberty of informing you that having been im- 

 portuned to engage as assistant editor of that comprehensive and 

 voluminous work, Rees's New Cyclopaedia, now publishing 

 here, and a generous salary offered me, I have now accepted of 

 the same, and will commence my new avocation on Monday 

 next. 



"This engagement will, I hope, enable me, in more ways 

 than one, to proceed in my intended Ornithology, to which all 

 my leisure moments will be devoted. In the mean time I an- 

 ticipate, with diffidence, the laborious, and very responsible, 

 situation I am soon to be placed in, requiring a much more gene- 

 ral fund of scientific knowledge, and stronger powers of mind, 

 than I am possessed of; but all these objections have been over- 

 ruled, and I am engaged, in conjunction with Mr. S. F. Brad- 

 ford, to conduct the publication. In this pursuit I will often 

 solicit your advice, and be happy to communicate your obser- 

 vations to posterity. Shut up from the sweet scenes of rural 

 nature, so dear to my soul, conceive to yourself the pleasures 

 I shall enjoy in sometimes paying a visit to your charming Re- 

 treat, and you cannot doubt of frequently seeing your very sin- 

 cere friend." 





