lvi LIFE OF 



in stage-coaches ; I have wandered among strangers, hearing the 

 same Oh's and Ah's, and telling the same story, a thousand times 

 over, and for what % Ay, that's it ! You are very anxious to 

 know, and you shall know the whole when I reach Philadelphia." 



To Mr Alexander Laioson. 



"Albany, November 3, 1808. 



" DeAE Sir, — Having a few leisure moments at disposal, I will 

 devote them to your service, in giving you a sketch of some circum- 

 stances in my long literary pilgrimage, not mentioned in my letters 

 to Mr Miller. And, in the first place, I ought to thank you for 

 the thousands of compliments I have received for my birds, from 

 persons of all descriptions, which were chiefly due to the taste and 

 skill of the engraver. In short, the book, in all its parts, so far 

 exceeds the ideas and expectations of the first literary characters in 

 the eastern section of the United States, as to command their 

 admiration and respect. The only objection has been the price of 

 one hundred and tiventy dollars, which, in innumerable instances 

 has risen like an evil genius between me and my hopes. Yet I 

 doubt not but when those copies subscribed for are delivered, and 

 the book a little better known, the whole number will be disposed 

 of ; and, perhaps, encouragement given to go on with the rest. To 

 effect this, to me, most desirable object, I have encountered the 

 fatigues of a long, circuitous, and expensive journey, with a zeal 

 which has increased with increasing difficulties ; and sorry I am to 

 say, that the whole number of subscribers which I have obtained 

 amounts only to forty-one. 



" While in New York, I had the curiosity to call on the cele- 

 brated author of the ' Rights of Man.' He lives in Greenwich, a 

 short way from the city. In the only decent apartment of a small 

 indifferent looking frame house, I found this extraordinary man, 

 sitting wrapt in a night gown, the table before him covered with 

 newspapers, with pen and ink beside him. Paine's face would have 

 excellently suited the character of Bardolph ; but the penetration 

 and intelligence of his eye bespeak the man of genius and of the 

 world. He complained to me of his inability to walk, an exercise 

 he was formerly fond of ; he examined my book, leaf by leaf, with 

 great attention ; desired me to put down his name as a subscriber ; 



