Iji LIFE OF WILSON. 



before my departure. But I shall have a better stock of adventures to relate 

 after my return. 



" I send a copy of the prospectus, and my best wishes for the happiness 

 of the whole family. I leave ray horse behind, and go by the stage coach, as 

 being the least troublesome. I hope to make some discoveries in my tour, the 

 least agreeable of which will, I fear, be — that I have bestowed a great deal of 

 labor and expense to little purpose. But all these things will not prevent me 

 from enjoying, as I pass along, the glorious face of Nature, and her admirable 

 productions, while I have eyes to see, and taste and judgment to appreciate 

 them." 



After despatching the above note, Wilson set out on a journey to the east- 

 ward, to exhibit his book, and procure subscribers. He travelled as far 

 as the District of Maine; and returned through Vermont, by the way of 

 Albany, to Philadelphia. From a letter to a friend, dated Boston, October 

 10th, 1808, we have made the following extract: 



" I have purposely avoided saying anything either good or bad, on the 

 encouragement I have met with. I shall only say, that among the many 

 thousands who have examined my book, and among these were men of the first 

 character for taste and literature, I have heard nothing but expressions of the 

 highest admiration and esteem. If I have been mistaken in publishing a 

 work too good for the country, it is a fault not likely to be soon repeated, and 

 will pretty severely correct itself. But whatever may be the result of these 

 matters, I shall not sit down with folded hands, while anything can be done to 

 carry my point : since Grod helps them who help themselves. I am fixing cor- 

 respondents in every corner of these northern regions, like so many pickets 

 and outposts, so that scarcely a wren or tit shall be able to pass along, from 

 York to Canada, but I shall get intelligence of it." 



To Mr. D. H. Miller. 



" Boston, October 12th, 1808. 

 ''Dear Sir. 



" I arrived here on Sunday last, after various adventures, the particulars of 

 which, as well as the observations I have had leisure to n^ake upon the passing 

 scenery around me, I shall endeavor, as far as possible, to compress into this 

 letter, for your own satisfaction, and that of my friends who may be interested 

 for my welfare. My company in tlie stage-coach to New York were all un- 

 known to me, except Colonel S., who was on his route to Fort Oswego, on 

 Lake Ontario, to take command of the troops intended to be stationed on that 

 part of the frontier, to prevent evasions of the embargo law. The sociable dis- 

 position and affability of the Colonel made this part of the journey pass very 

 agreeably, for both being fond of walking, whenever the driver stopped to 

 water, or drink grog, which was generally every six or eight miles, we set out 

 on foot, and sometimes got on several miles before the coach overhauled us. 

 By this method we enjoyed our ride, and with some little saving of horseflesh, 

 which I know you will approve of At Princeton I bade my fellow-travellers 

 good-by, as I had to wait upon the reverend doctors of the college. I took 

 my book under my arm, put several copies of the prospectus into my pocket, 



