ALEXANDER WILSON. XXXIX 



give his attention to drawing. He attempted some landscapes and 

 sketches of the human figure, but turned from his first trials with 

 disgust. At the suggestion of Mr Bartram, he was induced to 

 make a second attempt, upon birds and other objects of natural 

 history, and in this he succeeded beyond his anticipations. This, 

 in some degree, diverted his mind from sadder thoughts, and he 

 went on enthusiastically. His school-house, however, occupied 

 much of his time. " The duties of my profession," he writes, 

 " will not admit me to apply to this study with the assiduity and 

 perseverance I could wish. Chief part of what I do is sketched 

 by candle light ; and for this I am obliged to sacrifice the pleasures 

 of social life, and the agreeable moments which I might enjoy in 

 company with you and your amiable friend.* 



As Wilson acquired proficiency in this his new art, he began to 

 examine such ornithological works as he could obtain, and con- 

 ceived the idea of illustrating the ornithology of the United States. 

 Over this wish he long pondered, before he could assume confidence 

 to make it known to his friends. He at last resolved to entrust his 

 venerable adviser, Bartram, with his views, who, zealous for every- 

 thing that would promote his favourite science of nature, entered 

 warmly into the plan, and freely expressed his confidence in the 

 abilities and acquirements of Wilson. t The scheme was now un- 

 folded to Mr Lawson, and met his approbation, though he began to 

 make calculations which did not at all keep pace with the sanguine 

 anticipations of our author, and even caused, for a little while, a 

 sort of coolness between these friends. It was soon, however, for- 

 gotten, and Wilson, some time after, writes : — " I never was more 

 wishful to spend an afternoon with you. In three weeks I shall 

 have a few days' vacancy, and mean to be in town chief part of the 

 time. I am most earnestly bent on pursuing my plan of making a 

 collection of all the birds in this part of North America. Now I 

 don't want you to throw cold water, as Shakespeare says, on this 

 notion, Quixotic as it may appear. I have been so long ac- 

 customed to the building of airy castles, and brain windmills, that 

 it has become one of my earthly comforts, — a sort of rough bone, 

 that amuses me when sated with the dull drudgery of life." No 



* Letter to Bartram. t Ord's Memoirs, p. xxxix. 



