LIFE OF WILSON. xxix 
and find my idea-s of the incomprehensible First Cause still more exalted the 
more minutely I examine his works. 
" I sometimes smile to think that while others are immersed in deep schemes 
of speculation and aggrandizement — in building towns and purchasing planta- 
tions, I am entranced in contemplation over the plumage of a lark, or gazing 
like a despairing lover, on the lineaments of an owl. While others are hoard- 
ing up their bags of money, without the power of enjoying it, I am collecting, 
without injuring my conscience, or wounding my peace of' mind, those beauti- 
ful specimens of Nature's works that are for ever pleasing. I have had live 
crows, hawks and owls — opossums, sfjuirrels, snakes, lizards, &c., so that my 
room has sometimes reminded me of Noah's ark ; but Noah had a wife in 
one corner of it, and in this particular our parallel does not altogether tally. 
I receive every subject of natural history that is brought to me, and though 
they do not march into my ark, from all quarters, as they did into that of our 
great ancestor, yet I find means, by the distribution of a few fivepenny bits, 
to make them find the way fast enough. A boy, not long ago, brought me a 
large basket full of crows. I expect his next load will be bull-frogs, if I 
don't soon issue orders to the contrary. One of my boys caught a mouse in 
school, a few days ago, and directly marched up to me with his prisoner. I 
set about drawing it that same evening, and all the while the pantings of its 
little heart showed it to be in the most extreme agonies of fear. I had in- 
tended to kill it, in order to fix it in the claws of a stuffed owl, but happening 
to spill a few drops of water near where it was tied, it lapped it up with such 
eagerness, and looked in my face with such an eye of supplicating terror, .as 
perfectly overcame me. I immediately untied it, and restored it to life and 
liberty. The agonies of a prisoner at the stake, while the fire and instruments 
of torment are preparing, could not be more severe than the sufferings of that 
poor mouse; and, insignificant as the object was, I felt at that moment the 
sweet sensations that mercy leaves on the mind when she triumphs over cruelty. 
" My dear friend, you see I take the liberty of an old acquaintance with 
you, in thus trifling with your time. You have already raised me out of the 
slough of despond, by the hopes of your agreeable conversation, and that of 
your amiable pupil. Nobody, I am sure, rejoices more in her acquisition of 
the beautiful accomplishment of drawing than myself I hope she will per- 
severe. I am persuaded that any pains you bestow on her will be rewarded 
beyond your expectations. Besides, it will be a new link in that chain of 
friendship and consanguinity by which you are already united ; though I fear 
it will be a powerful addition to that attraction which was fully sufficient 
before, to make even a virtuoso quit his owls and opossums, and think of 
something else." 
To Mr. Wm. Bartram. 
" May 21st, 1804. 
" I send you a few more imitations of birds for your opinion, which I value 
beyond that of anybody else, though I am seriously apprehensive that I am 
troublesome. These are the last I shall draw for some time, as the employ- 
ment consumes every leisure moment, leaving nothing for friendship, or those 
