X PREFACE TO LIFE OF WILSON. 
writer's happiness was derived from this amiable intercourse. The 
reader's obligations to Colonel Carr will not be lessened, when it is 
stated, that the greater part of these interesting epistles were mislaid 
during the latter days of the venerable botanist to whom they were 
addressed ; and that it was through the care of the above-mentioned 
gentleman they were rescued from oblivion. 
It will be long ere the lovers of science will cease to deplore the 
event, which snatched from us one so eminently gifted for natural 
investigations, by his zeal, his industry, his activity, and his intelligence ; 
one who, after a successful prosecution of his great undertaking through 
a series of eventful years, was deprived of his merited reward, at the 
moment when he was about putting the finishing hand to those labors, 
which have secured to him an imperishable renown. " The hand of 
death," says Pliny, "is ever, in my estimation, too severe, and too 
sudden, when it falls upon such as are employed in some immortal work. 
The sons of sensuality, who have no other views beyond the present 
hour, terminate with each day the whole purpose of their lives ; but 
those who look forward to posterity, and endeavor to extend their 
memories to future generations by useful labors ; — to such, death is 
always immature, as it still snatches them from amidst some unfinished 
design." 
But although that Being, who so often frustrates human purposes, 
thought proper, in his wisdom, to terminate the "unfinished design" of 
our lamented friend, yet were his aspirations after an honorable distinc- 
tion in society fully answered. The poor despised weaver of Paisley 
takes his rank among the Avriters of our country ; and after ages shall 
look up to the Father of American Ornithology, and bless that Provi- 
dence, which, by inscrutable ways, led liim to the only spot, perhaps, 
of the civilized earth, where his extraordinary talents would be encour- 
aged to develop themselves, and his estimable qualities of heart would 
be duly appreciated. 
Wilson has proved to us what genius and industry can effect in despite 
of obstacles, which men of ordinary abilities Avould consider insurmount- 
able. His example will not be disregarded; and his success will be 
productive of benefits, the extent of which cannot now be estimated. 
OSf 
