ALEXANDER WILSON. x liJj 



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 resolution. With no family to enchain my affec- 

 tions — no ties but those of friendship — and the most ardent love to 

 my adopted country — with a constitution which hardens amidst 

 fatigues — and with 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 civilised, — I have at present a real 

 design of becoming a traveller. But I am miserably deficient in 

 many acquirements absolutely necessary for such a character. 

 Botany, mineralogy, and drawing, I most ardently wish to be 

 instructed in. 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 moments that should be 

 devoted to this pursuit, provided I could have hopes of succeeding. 

 Your opinion on this subject will confer an additional obligation on 

 your affectionate friend." 



This, his first journey after the acquirement of any knowledge of 

 natural history, is described in the poem of the " Foresters," after- 

 wards published in the " Portfolio ; " and his visit to Niagara fur- 

 nished tbe materials for his beautiful description and poem of the 

 bald eagle and fish hawk. These expeditions destroyed the success 

 of his school, which he yet retained ; and the additional circum- 

 stance of the winter of 1805 being a very unfavourable one, from 

 the severe and continued frosts, nearly exhausted the little emolu- 

 ments produced by his labours. Writing to Mr W. Duncan, he 

 says, — " This winter has been entirely lost to me, as well as to 

 yourself. I shall, on the 12th of next month, be scarcely able to 

 collect a sufficiency to pay my board, having not more than twenty- 

 seven scholars. Five or six families who used to send me their 

 children, have been almost in a state of starvation. The rivers 

 Schuylkill and Delaware are still shut ; and waggons are passing 

 and repassing at this time on the ice." Wilson still remained at 

 Union School ; and, by perseverance, was enabled to maintain him- 

 self honestly. He could not, however, give up his design of illus- 

 trating the birds of the United States, though prudence, and the 



