SOUTH AMERICA. 245 



Leeds. A little after this, Wilson's " Ornithology of Fourth 



Journey. 



the United States" fell into my hands. 



The desire I had of seeing that country, together with Sails for 



New York. 



the animated description which Wilson had given of the 

 birds, fanned up the almost expiring flame. I forgot 

 the vexations already alluded to, and set off for New 

 York, in the beautiful packet John Wells, commanded 

 by Captain Harris. The passage was long and cold ; 

 but the elegant accommodations on board, and the 

 polite attention of the commander, rendered it very 

 agreeable ; and I landed, in health and merriment, in the 

 stately capital of the new Avorld. 



We will soon pen down a few remarks on this magni- 

 ficent city, but not just now. I want to venture into the 

 north-west country, and get to their great canal, which 

 the world talks so much about, though I fear it will be 

 hard work to make one's way through bugs, bears, 

 brutes, and buffaloes, which we Europeans imagine are 

 so frequent and ferocious in these never -ending western 

 wilds. 



I left New York on a fine morning in July, without one Leaves New 



^ York for 



letter of introduction, for the city of Albany, some Albany, 

 hundred and eighty miles up the celebrated Hudson. 

 I seldom care about letters of introduction, for I am one 

 of those who depend much upon an accidental acquaint- 

 ance. Full many a face do I see, as I go wandering 

 up and down the world, whose mild eye, and sweet and 



