LIFE OF WILSON. cv 
works of any k'md, however great their merits may be ; and the poor author's 
feehugs are Uttle regarded. Few men have known this more experimentally 
than myself. I have sacrificed everything to publish my Ornithology — have 
written six volumes, and am engaged on the seventh. * * * 
" I have frequently conversed with Mr. Bradford about publishing a trans- 
lation of your Forest Trees ; and you may rest assured that, should it be under- 
taken, I will use all my influence in its favor. Were you here yourself, I have 
no doubt but it would be undertaken, and I think with success, for all who 
have seen it admire it. I procured our good friend, Mr. Wm. Bartram, a 
sight of it, and he was greatly delighted with its appearance. One of my 
friends read a great part of it in Eiujlisli to him, and he was highly satis- 
fied. * * * 
" Dr. Barton has not yet published his General Zoology* which he has 
been announcing, from time to time, for so many years. It is much easier to 
say these things than do them. * * * 
" Mr. Wm. Bartram is still as you left him, and you are frequently the 
subject of our conversation at table. I have made many extensive excursions 
lately, and have discovered, in all, about forty new species of Land Birds, 
never taken notice of by any other writer. I am now engaged on the Water 
Birds; and had just returned yesterday from the seashore when your letter 
was presented to me. Dr. H. and Mr. P. have both publicly announced your 
work, but, as no translation has been yet made, it has not been reviewed by 
any of our writers. * * * 
"Wishing you all the success which is justly due to the labors, journeys, 
and investigations, you have made in behalf of Natural History, I remain, &c." 
In September, 1812, Wilson undertook a journey into the eastern states, for 
the purpose o'f visiting his subscribers, and settling accounts with his agents. 
To Mr. George Ord. 
" Boston, October L3th, 1812. 
"Dear Sir. 
" It is not in my power at present to give you anything more than a slight 
sketch of my rumbles since leaving Philadelphia. My route up the Hudson 
aiforded great pleasure, mingled with frequent regret that you were not along 
with me, to share the enjoyment. About thirty miles south of Albany we 
passed within ten miles of the celebrated Catskill Mountains, a gigantic group, 
clothed with forest to the summits. In the river here I found ovir common 
* This work, which it was the intention of the late learned professor to entitle " Ele- 
ments of Zoology," after being ten years in the press, was advanced no further than./?/i'y- 
six pages, in octavo, at the death of the author. It does not appear that he left much 
manuscript matter in continuation, consequently the public will derive no benefit from a 
work, which is too incomplete for publication. The printed sheets I have read, not only 
with satisfaction, but instruction ; and cannot forbear expressing my regret that an under- 
taking, which Dr. Barton certainly knew how to perform, and to which his learning was 
adequate, should have been suffered to perish in embryo. The art of concentrating his 
talents, was one for which the professor was not greatly distinguished. 
