LIFE OF WILSON. xxxiii 



" These are some of my objections to this work, which, however, in other 

 respects, does honor to the talents, learning, and industry of the compiler." 



In the month of October, 1804, Wilson, accompanied with two of his 

 friends, set out on a pedestrian journey to visit the far-famed cataract of 

 Niagara, whereof he had heard much, but which he had never had an oppor- 

 tunity of beholding. The picturesque scenery of that beautiful river, the 

 vastness and sublimity of the cataract, as might be expected, filled the bosom 

 of our traveller with the most rapturous emotions. And he ever after 

 declared, that no language was sufficiently comprehensive to convey an adequate 

 idea of that wonderful curiosity. 



On the return of Wilson, he employed his leisure moments in writing a 

 poetical narrative of the journey. This poem, which contains some inter- 

 esting description, and pleasing imagery, is entitled " The Foresters ;" and 

 was gratuitously tendered to the proprietors of the Port Folio, and published 

 in that excellent miscellany, in the years 1809-10. 



This expedition was undertaken rather too late in the season, and, conse- 

 quently, our travellers were subjected to hardships of which they were not 

 aware. Winter overtook them whilst in the Genesee country, in their return 

 by the way of Albany ; and they were compelled to trudge, the greater part 

 of the route, through snow midleg deep. 



To Mr. Wm. Bartram. 



" Grat's Ferry, December 15th, 1804. 

 " Though now snug at home, looking back in recollection on the long, cir- 

 cuitous journey which I have at length finished, through deep snows, and 

 almost uninhabited forests ; over stupendous mountains, and down dangerous 

 rivers : passing over, in a course of thirteen hundred miles, as great a variety 

 of men and modes of living, as the same extent of country can exhibit in any 

 part of the United States — though in this tour I have had every disadvantage 

 of deep roads and rough weather; hurried marches, and many other incon- 

 veniences to encounter, — yet so far am I from being satisfied with what I 

 have seen, or discouraged by the fatigues which every traveller must submit 

 to, that I feel more eager than ever to commence some more extensive expedi- 

 tion ; where scenes and subjects entirely new, and generally unknown, might 

 reward my curiosity; and where perhaps my humble acquisitions might add 

 something to the stores of knowledge. For all the hazards and privations 

 incident to such an undertaking, I feel confident in my own spirit and resolu- 

 tion. With no family to enchain my affections ; no ties but those of friend- 

 ship ; and the most ardent love of my adopted • country^-with a constitution 

 which hardens amidst fatigues ; and a disposition sociable and open, which can 

 find itself at home by an Indian fire in the depth of the woods, as well as in 

 the best apartment of the civilized ; I have at present a real design of becom- 

 ing a traveller. But I am miserably deficient in many acquirements abso- 

 lutely necessary for such a character. Botany, mineralogy, and drawing I 

 most ardently wish to be instructed in, and with these I should fear nothing. 

 Can I yet make any progress in botany, sufficient to enable me to be useful, 

 and what would be the most proper way to proceed ? I have many leisure 

 Vol. I.— C 



