xxxiv 



LIFE OF WILSON. 



All things being thus happily arranged, he applied himself 

 to his varied and extensive duties with a diligence which scarcely 

 admitted repose ; until finding his health much impaired thereby, 

 he was induced to seek the benefits of relaxation in a pedestrian 

 excursion through a part of Pennsylvania ; which afforded him a 

 favorable opportunity of procuring specimens of birds ; and some 

 additional information relating to them of which he was very de- 

 sirous to be possessed. This jaunt was made in the month of 

 August, 1807 ; and on the return of Mr. Wilson he engaged in his 

 avocations with renewed ardor ; devoting every moment, which 

 could be spared from his editorial duties, to his great work. 



At length in the month of September, 1808, the first volume 

 of the American Ornithology made its appearance. From the 

 date of the arrangement with the publisher, a prospectus had been 

 issued, wherein the nature and intended execution of the work 

 were specified. But yet no one appeared to entertain an adequate 

 idea of the elegant treat, which was about to be afforded to the 

 lovers of the arts and of useful literature. And when the superb 

 volume was presented to the public, their delight was only equalled 

 by their astonishment, that our country, as yet in its infancy, should 

 produce an original work in science that could vie, in its essentials, 

 with the proudest productions of a similar nature, of the European 

 world. 



In the latter part of September, Mr. Wilson set out on a 

 journey to tlie eastward, to exhibit his book and procure subscrib- 

 ers. He travelled as far as the District of Maine ; and returned 

 through Vermont, by the way of Albany, to Philadelphia. From 

 a letter to a friend, dated Boston, October 10th, 1808, we have 

 made the following extract : 



" I have purposely avoided saying any thing either good or 

 bad on the encouragement I have met with. I shall only say, 

 that among the many thousands who have examined my book, 

 and among these were men of the first character for taste and 



