XXX 



LIFE OF WILSON 



his Birds of the United States. The coloring being chiefly done 

 last night, must soften criticism a little. Will be thankful for my 

 friend's advice and correction. 



" Mr. Wilson wishes his beloved friend a happy new-year, 

 and every blessing.^' 



Saturdayf January Uh, 1806. 



These essays in Etching,^ though honorable to Mr. Wilson's 

 ingenuity and perseverance, yet by no means afforded satisfaction* 

 He became now convinced that the poiiit alone was not sufficient 

 to produce the intended effi^ct ; and that nothing short of the ac- 

 curacy of the graver would in any wise correspond to his ideas of 

 excellence. But in the delightful art of Engraving he had never 

 been instructed ; and he could not command means sufficient to 

 cover the expense of the plates even of a single volume, on the 

 magnificent plan which his comprehensive mind had delineated. 

 A proposition was now made to Mr. Lawson to engage in the 

 work on a joint concern. But there were several reasons which 

 this gentleman adduced, sufficiently weighty, in his opinion, to 

 warrant his non-acceptance of the offi^r. Mr. Wilson finding his 

 schemes thus baffled, declared, with solemn emphasis, his resolu- 

 tion of proceeding alone in the publication, if it even cost him his 

 life. " / shall at least leave^' continued he, " a small beacon to 

 point out where I perished 



About the commencement of this year, information was dis- 

 seminated through the medium of the public prints, that the Pre- 

 sident of the United States, had it in contemplation to despatch 

 parties of ingenious men, for the purpose of exploring the waters 

 of Louisiana. Mr. Wilson, aroused at the intelligence, now con- 

 ceived that a favorable opportunity was affi)rded him of gratifying 



* The two first plates of the Ornithology are those which the author etched himself. The editor 

 has in his possession a proof of the first one, which he preserves as a relic of no small value. It is in^ 

 scribed with the autiior's name. 



