126 ai,e;xander wii<son: poet-naturalist 



collision of opinion, some slight misunderstand- 

 ing, which was soon passed over, leaving no dis- 

 agreeable impression. But an act of disrespect, 

 or wilful injury, he would seldom forgive."* In 

 short, Wilson was a proud, independent, active, 

 generous, ambitious man, with the frailties and 

 virtues which usually accompany a restrained but 

 fiery spirit. We have described Wilson's appear- 

 ance as a young man, it remains now to paint the 

 picture of him as he looked in his later years in 

 America. His height was about five feet ten, but 

 from his stooping somewhat he appeared less. 

 Audubon thus recites his recollection of his first 

 sight of him : "His long, rather hooked nose, the 

 keenness of his eyes, and his prominent cheek- 

 bones, stamped his countenance with a peculiar 

 character. The dress, too, was of a kind not 

 usually seen in that part of the country; a short 

 coat, trousers and a waistcoat of grey cloth." 

 There is an excellent portrait of Wilson by Peale 

 which was presented by Governor S. Bradford to 

 Dr. N. Chapman and by him presented to the 

 American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. f 



Since Ord's description must represent him as 

 he was in his very latest years, with it we close 

 our portrayal of Wilson, the Man. 



"In his person he was of middle stature, of a 

 thin habit of body; his cheek bones projected, 

 and his eyes, though hollow, displayed consider- 

 able vivacity and intelligence ; his complexion 

 was sallow, his mien thoughtful ; his features were 



* "American Ornithology," IX. 



t Through the kindness of this society we are able to use a copy of 

 this portrait as our frontispiece. 



