xxviii 



LIFE OF WILSON. 



bling me to execute better, I will receive from you with much 

 pleasure. I have resigned every other amusement, except reading 

 and fiddling, for this design, which I shall not give up without 

 making a fair trial. 



" Criticise tliese, my dear friend, without fear of offending 

 me — this will instruct, but not discourage me. — For there is not 

 among all our naturalists one who knows so well what they are, 

 and how they ought to be represented. In the mean time accept 

 of my best wishes for your happiness — wishes as sincere as ever 

 one human being breathed for another. To your advice and en- 

 couraging encomiums I am indebted for these few specimens, and 

 for all that will follow. They may yet tell posterity that I ivas 

 honored with your friendships and that to your inspiration they owe 

 their existence 



The plates illustrative of the natural history of Edwards were 

 etched by the author himself. Mr. Wilson had examined them 

 very attentively, and felt assured that, with a little instruction in 

 the art of etching, he could produce more perfect delineations ; 

 and would be enabled, by his superior knowledge of coloring, to 

 finish the figures for his contemplated work in a style not inferior 

 to his spirited and beautiful drawings from nature. 



Mr. Lawson was of course consulted on this occasion, and 

 cheerfully contributed his advice and assistance in the novel and 

 difficult enterprise. Wilson procured the copper ; and, his friend 

 having laid the varnish and furnished the necessary tools, he ea- 

 gerly commenced the important operation, on the successful ter- 

 mination of which his happiness seemed to depend. 



Let the reader pause and reflect on the extravagance of that 

 enthusiasm, which could lead a person to imagine, that, w ithout 

 any knowledge of an art derived from experience, he could at once 

 produce that effect, which is the result only of years of trial and 

 diligence. 



