ALEXANDER WILSON. c iii 



in ascending to the peak of one of these majestic mountains, whence 

 I had the most sublime and astonishing view that was ever afforded 

 me. One immensity of forest lay below, extended on all sides to 

 the farthest verge of the horizon ; while the only prominent objects 

 were the columns of smoke from burning woods that rose from 

 various parts of the earth beneath to the heavens ; for the day was 

 beautiful and serene. Hence I travelled to Dartmouth, and thence 

 in a direct course to Boston. From Boston I passed through Ports- 

 mouth to Portland, and got some things new. My return was by 

 a different route. I have procured three new and beautiful hawks ; 

 and have gleaned up a stock of materials that will be useful to me 

 hereafter. 



" I hope, my dear sir, that you have been well since I left you. 

 I have myself been several times afflicted with a violent palpitation 

 of the heart, and want to try whether a short voyage by sea will 

 be beneficial or not. 



" In New England, the rage of war, the virulence of politics, and 

 the pursuit of commercial speculations, engross every faculty. The 

 voice of science, and the charms of nature, unless these last present 

 themselves in the form of prize sugars, coffee, or rum, are treated 

 with contempt." 



This letter concludes the series of those which were written 

 Wilson's friends during his various excursions ; they have been 

 given without abridgment, as the surest means to judge of his mind 

 and disposition during his residence in America ; and we possess 

 few additional records of the short remaining space of this ornitho- 

 logist's life. 



The Seventh Part of the " Ornithology " was far advanced, and 

 soon after its publication, Wilson set out, accompanied by Mr Ord, on 

 an expedition to Egg Harbour, to procure materials for the Eighth 

 Volume, which would principally have contained the marine water 

 fowl. This was his last expedition, and occupied nearly four 

 months. On returning to Philadelphia, the anxiety to perfect the 

 forthcoming volume, which he thought would bring his labours 

 nearly to a conclusion, and would show him the end of a work upon 

 which he had periled his dear reputation, brought on an attack of 

 his old complaints, which had gradually become more frequent when 



