104 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTEKS. 



my nervous system. I slept not for several nights, and the 

 days passed like days of oblivion, — ^until, the animal powers 

 being recalled into action, through the strength of my consti- 

 tution, I took up my gun, my note-book and my pencils, and 

 went forth to the woods as gaily as if nothing had happened. 

 I felt pleased that I might now make much better drawings 

 than before, and, ere a period not exceeding three years had 

 elapsed, I had my portfolio filled again. 



America being my country, and the principal pleasures of 

 my life having been obtained there, I prepared to leave it 

 with deep sorrow, after in vain trying to publish my illustra- 

 tions in the United States. In Philadelphia, Wilson's prin- 

 cipal engraver, amongst others, gave it as his opinion to my 

 friends, that my drawings could never be engraved. In New 

 York, other difficulties presented themselves, which deter- 

 mined me to carry my collections to Europe. 



As I approached the coast of England, and for the first 

 time beheld her fertile shores, the despondency of my spirits 

 became very great. I knew not an individual in the country ; 

 and, although I was the bearer of letters from American 

 friends and statesmen of great eminence, my situation ap- 

 peared precarious in the extreme. I imagined that every 

 individual whom I was about to meet, might be possessed of 

 talents superior to those of any on our side of the Atlantic ! 

 Indeed, as I for the first time walked on the streets of Liver- 

 pool, my heart nearly failed me, for not a glance of sympathy 

 did I meet in my wanderings, for two days To the woods I 

 could not betake myself, for there were none near. 



Well received in England, he passes through to Scotland. 



Gallant and beautiful spirit ! there was no need of woods 

 for thee to hide ! The noble work of Wilson had not Ions 

 been finished then, and men were not done wondering at this 

 glorious achievement of the Paisely weaver, who had left their 

 own shores years ago, a poor and obscure adventurer for the 

 forests of the New World, when another pilgrim from those 



