LIFE OF WILSON. 



woods, that rose from various parts of the earth beneath to the 

 heavens; for the day was beautiful and serene. Hence I travel- 

 led to Dartmouth, and thence in a direct course to Boston. 

 From Boston I passed through Portsmouth to Portland, and 

 got some things new; my return was by a different route. I 

 have procured three new and beautiful Hawks; and have glean- 

 ed up a stock of remarks that will be useful to me hereafter. 



" I hope, my dear sir, that you have been well since I left 

 you. I have myself been several times afflicted with a violent 

 palpitation of the heart,* and want to try whether a short voy- 

 age by sea will not be beneficial. 



" In New England the rage of war, the virulence of politics, 

 and the pursuit of commercial speculations, engross every fa- 

 culty. The voice of Science, and the charms of Nature, un- 

 less these last present themselves in the form of prize sugars, 

 coffee, or rum, are treated with contempt." 



The excursion to the White Mountains, above mentioned, 

 was succeeded by rather an unpleasant occurrence. The good 

 people of Haverhill perceiving a stranger among them of very 

 inquisitive habits, and who evinced great zeal in exploring the 

 country, sagaciously concluded that he was a spy from Canada, 

 employed in taking sketches of the place, to facilitate the in- 

 vasion of the enemy. Under these impressions it was thought 

 conducive to the public safety that Wilson should be appre- 

 hended; and he was accordingly taken into the custody of a 

 magistrate, who, on being made acquainted with his character, 

 and the nature of his visit, politely dismissed him, with many 

 apologies for the mistake. 



The publication of the Ornithology now advanced as rapidly 

 as a due regard to correctness and elegance would admit. In 

 order to become better acquainted with the feathered tribes, 

 and to observe their migrations with more accuracy, as well 

 as to enjoy the important advantages of a rural retirement, 

 Wilson resided the better part of the years 1811-12 at the Bo- 



* Tliis distressing- disease, so well known to the literary student, Wilson 

 was often afflicted with. 



