Wilfon. 265 
fcflbns on botany, alternately, at that place, 
and at NewcaJUe, That many pupils re- 
forted to him from the neighbouring parts 
of Scotland; infomuch, that in fome fea- 
fons, he received fixty pounds a year, as the 
premium of his labours, 
I muft not, however, omit to obferve, 
that this account does not coincide with 
another, which I have fmce met with in 
the BritiJJj Topography;" the refpeftable 
author of which informs us, That Wil- 
^* SON was a fhoemaker, and by his intenfe 
application to his favourite ftudy, lived 
moil: of his life in a ftate of indigence. 
A cow, of which his wife had the care, 
v/as the fole fupport of his family : and 
fuch was his infatuation, that he w^as 
*^ once tempted to part with that moll ufe- 
ful animal, to purchafe Mori son's vo- 
luminous work, had not a neighbouring 
lady prefented him with the book, and 
refcued the poor man and his family from 
beggary and ruin." 
In this reprefentation of Wilson's con- 
dud:, while men of fympathizing minds, 
and 
