clxvi LIFE OF WILSON. 



It is not unusual for scholars to keep diaries when they tra- 

 vel. These writings are commonly the objects of great curi- 

 osity, as we are all anxious to know what were the impressions 

 which the incidents of a journey made upon the mind, when it 

 was in the fitest state to receive them. 



For the gratification of the reader, I will make a few short 

 extracts from Wilson's Journal, as specimens of his mode of 

 writing these unstudied narratives. 



" March 9. Visited a number of the literati and wealthy 

 of Cincinnati, who all told me that they would think of it, viz. 

 of subscribing: they are a very thoughtful people. 



" March 17. Rained and hailed all last night, set off at 

 eight o'clock, after emptying my boat of the deluge of water. 

 Rowed hard all day; at noon recruited myself with some bis- 

 cuits, cheese and American wine. Reach the falls night sets 

 in hear the roaring of the rapids. After excessive hard work 

 arrive at Beargrass creek, and fasten my boat to a Kentucky 

 one. Take my baggage and grope my way to Louisville put 

 up at the Indian Queen tavern, and gladly sit down to rest my- 

 self. 



" March 18. Rose quite refreshed. Found a number of 

 land speculators here. Titles to lands in Kentucky subject to 

 great disputes. 



" March 1 9. Rambling round the town with my gun. Exa- 

 mined Mr. 's drawings in crayons very good. Saw 



two new birds he had, both Motacillse. 



" March 20. Set out this afternoon with the gun killed 

 nothing new. People in taverns here devour their meals. 

 Many shopkeepers board in taverns also boatmen, land specu- 

 lators, merchants, &c. No naturalist to keep me company. 



" March 21. Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr. 

 A. Saw a number of Sandhill cranes. Pigeons numerous. 



" March 23. Packed up my things which I left in the care 

 of a merchant here, to be sent on to Lexington; and having 

 parted, with great regret, with my paroquet, to the gentlemen 

 of the tavern, I bade adieu to Louisville, to which place I had 





