xxxii LIFE OF WILSON. 



sity of disappointing his reader by the bare mention of things that required 

 greater illustration ; and of compressing the natural history of whole regions 

 into half a page. Only thirty-four pages allotted to the whole United States ! 

 This is brevity with a vengeance. I had indeed expected from the exertions of 

 Dr. Barton, as complete an account of the natural history of this part of the world 

 as his means of information, and the limits of the work, would admit. I have 

 been miserably disappointed; and you will pardon me when I say that 

 his omitting entirely the least reference to your researches in botany and 

 zoology, and seeming so solicitous to let us know of his own productions, 

 bespeak a narrowness of mind, and self-consequence, which are truly despica- 

 ble. Every one acquainted with you both, would have confidently trusted 

 that he would rejoice in the opportunity of making the world better acquainted 

 with a man whose works show such a minute and intimate knowledge of these 

 subjects; and from whom he had received so much information.' But no — 

 not even the slightest allusion, lest posterity might discover that there existed, 

 at this time, in the United States, a naturalist of information superior to his. 

 My dear sir, I am a Scotchman, and don't love my friends with that cold selfish 

 prudence which I see in some ; and if I ofi^end in thus speaking from the 

 fulness of my heart, I know you will forgive me. 



" Pinkerton has, indeed, furnished us with many curious particulars 

 unknown, or, at least, unnoticed, by all former geographers; and also with 

 other items long since exploded as fabulous and ridiculous ; such is his account 

 of the Upas or poisonous tree ; and of children having been lost in some of 

 our American swamps, and of being seen many years afterwards, in a wild, 

 savage state ! But he very gravely tells his readers that the people of Scot- 

 land eat little or no pork from a prejudice which they entertain against swine, 

 the Devil having taken possession of some of them two thousand years ago ! 

 "What an enlightened people these Scots must be; and what a delicate taste 

 they must be possessed of! Yet I have traversed nearly three-fourths of that 

 country, and mixed much with the common people, and never hoard of such 

 an objection before. Had the learned author told his readers that, until late 

 years, Scotland, though abounding in rich pastures, even to its mountain tops, 

 was yet but poorly productive in grain, fruit, &c., the usual food of hogs, and 

 that on this account innumerable herds of sheep, horses and cattle were 

 raised, and but very little pork, he would then have stated the simple facts; 

 and not subjected himself to the laughter of every native of that part of 

 Britain. 



" As. to the pretended antipathy of the Scots to eels, because they resemble 

 snakes, it is equally ridiculous and improbable; ninety-nine out of a hundred 

 of the natives never saw a snake in their lives. The fact is, it is as usual to 

 eat eels in Scotland, where they can be got, as it is in America ; and although 

 I have frequently heard such objections made to the eating of eels here, 

 where snakes are so common, yet I do not remember to have heard the com- 

 parison made in Scotland. I have taken notice of these two observations of 

 his, because they are applied generally to the Scots, making them appear a 

 weak, squeamish-stomached set of beings, infected with all the prejudices and 

 antipathies of children. 



