X PREFACE TO LIFE OF WILSON. 



writer's happiness was derived from this amiable intercourse. The 

 reader's obligations to Colonel Carr will not be ^essened, when it is 

 stated, that the greater part of these interesting epistles were mislaid 

 during the latter days of the venerable botanist to whom they were 

 addressed ; and that it was through the care of the above-mentioned 

 gentleman they were rescued from oblivion. 



It will be long ere the lovers of science will cease to deplore the 

 event, which snatched from us one so eminently gifted for natural 

 investigations, by his zeal, his industry, his activity, and his intelligence ; 

 one who, after a successful prosecution of his great undertaking through 

 a series of eventful years, was deprived of his merited reward, at the 

 moment when he was about putting the finishing hand to those labors, 

 which have secured to him an imperishable renown. " The hand of 

 death," says Pliny, "is ever, in my estimation, too severe, and too 

 sudden, when it falls upon such as are employed in some immortal work. 

 The sons of sensuality, who have no other views beyond the present 

 hour, terminate with each day the whole purpose of their lives ; but 

 those who look forward to posterity, and endeavor to extend their 

 memories to future generations by useful labors ; — to such, death is 

 always immature, as it still snatches them from amidst some unfinished 

 design." 



But although that Being, who so often frustrates human purposes, 

 thought proper, in his wisdom, to terminate the " unfinished design" of 

 our lamented friend, yet were his aspirations after an honorable distinc- 

 tion in society fully answered. The poor despised weaver of Paisley 

 takes his rank among the writers of our country ; and after ages shall 

 look up to the Father • of American Ornithology, and bless that Provi- 

 dence, which, by inscrutable ways, led him to the only spot, perhaps, 

 of the civilized earth, where his extraordinary talents would be encour- 

 aged to develop themselves, and his estimable qualities of heart would 

 be duly appreciated. 



Wilson has proved to us what genius and industry can efi'ect in despite 

 of obstacles, which men of ordinary abilities would consider insurmount- 

 able. His example will not be disregarded; and his success will be 

 productive of benefits, the extent of which cannot now be estimated. 



