xiv 
LIFE OF "WILSON. 
In pursuance of this design lie printed proposals; and being " resolved," to 
adopt his own language, " to make one bold push for the united interests of 
Pack and Poems," he once more set out to sell his merchandise, and obtain 
patronage to his work. 
This expedition was unprofitable : he neither advanced his fortune nor re- 
ceived the encouragement of many subscriptions. Fortunate would it have 
been for him if, instead of giving vent to his spleen at the supposed want of 
discernment of rising merit, or lack of taste for the effusions of genius, he 
had permitted himself to be admonished of his imprudence by the indifference 
of the public, and had taken that fur an act of friendship which his wounded 
feelings did not fail to construe into contempt. 
iJut in defiance of discourageu\ent he published his volume, under the title 
of "Poems, Humorous, Satirical and Serious." The writer of this sketch has 
it now before him; and finds in it the following remarks, in the handwriting of 
the author himself: " I published these poems when only twenty-two — an age 
more abundant in sail than hallast. Header, let this soften the rigor of criti- 
cism a little." Dated, " Gray's Ferry, July 6th, 1804." These poems were, 
in truth, the productions of a boy, who composed them under the most disad- 
vantageous circumstances. They answered the purpose for which they were 
originally intended — to gratify the partiality of friendship, and alleviate mo- 
ments of solitude and despondency. Their author, in his riper years, lamented 
his rashness in giving them to the world; and it is to be hoped that no one will 
be so officious as to draw theui from that obscurity to which he himself sin- 
cerely rejoiced to see them condemned. They went through two small editions 
in octavo, the last of which appeared in 1791. The author reaped no benefit 
from the publication. 
Mortified at the ill success of his literary undertaking, and probably with 
the view of withdrawing himself from associates who, instead of advancing, 
rather tended to retard his studies, Wilson retired to the little village of Loch- 
winnocli, situated in a delightful valley, a few miles from Paisley. In this 
sequestered place he had before resided, and he now resorted to it under the 
pressure of disappointment, and soothed his mind with the employment of let- 
ters, and spent his vacant hours amid the romantic scenery of a country which 
was well calculated to captivate one who had devoted himself to the service of 
the muses. 
While residing at Lochwinnoch he contributed some short prose essays to 
The Bee, a periodical work which was published at Edinburgh by Dr. Ander- 
son. Of the merits of these essays I cannot speak, as I have never seen them. 
He also occasionally visited the latter place, to frequent the Pantheon, wherein 
a society for debate held their meetings. In this assembly of minor wits he 
delivered several poetical discourses, which obtained him considerable applause. 
The particulars of these literary peregrinations have been minutely related to 
me ; but at this time I will merely state, that he always performed his journeys 
on foot, and that his ardor to obtain distinction drawing him away from his 
profession, the only means of procuring subsistence, he was frequently reduced 
to the want of the necessaries of life. 
Wilson, in common with many, was desirous of becoming personally 
