cvi 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
reed (Zizania nqvad'ca) growing in great aLundance iu shoals extending along 
the middle of the river. I s:nv flocks of Red-wings, and some Black Ducks, 
but no Kail, or Reed-birds. 
* * ^ * 
" From this place my journey led me over a rugged, mountainous country, 
to Lake Chanipluin, along which I coasted as far as Burlington, in Vermont. 
Here I found the little Coot-footed Triuga or Phalarope* that you sent to jMr. 
Peale ; a new and elegantly-marked Hawk ; and observed some Black Ducks. 
The shores are alternate sandy bays, and rocky headlands running into the 
lake. Every tavern was crowded with officers, soldiers, and travellers. Eight 
of us were left without a bed; but having an excellent great-coat, I laid my- 
self down in a corner, with a determination of sleeping in defiance of the 
uproar of the house, and the rage of luy companions, who would not disgrace 
themselves by a prostration of this sort. 
* * * * 
" From Lake Champlain I traversed a rude mountainous region to Connecti- 
cut river, one hundred miles above Dartmouth College. I spent several days 
with the gun in Groton, and Ryegate townships, and made some discoveries. 
From this I coasted along the Connecticut to a place called Haverhill, ten 
miles from the foot of IMoose-hillock, one of the highest of the Whi/c Moun- 
tains of New Hampshire. I spent the greater part of a day in ascending to 
the peak of one of these majestic mountains, whence I had the most sublime 
and astonishing view that was ever afforded me. One immensity of forest lay 
below, extended on all sides to the farthest verge of the horizon ; while the 
only prominent objects W'Cre the columns of smoke from burning woods, that 
rose from various parts of the earth beneath to the heavens; for the day was 
beautiful and serene. Hence I travelled to Dartmouth, and thence in a direct 
course to Boston. From Boston I passed tlirougli Portsmouth to Portland, 
and got some things new ; my return was by a different route. I have pro- 
cured three new and beautiful Hawks ; and have gleaned up a stock of remarks 
that will be useful to me hereutter. 
" I hope, my dear sir, that you have been well since I left you. I have 
myself been several times afflicted with a violent palpitation of the heart,! '^'^^ 
want to try whether a short voyage by sea will not be beneficial. 
" In New England the rage of war, the virulence of politics, and the pur- 
suit of commercial speculations, engross every faculty. The voice of Science, 
and the charms of Nature, unless these last present themselves in the form of 
prize sugars, coffee, or rum, are treated with contempt." 
The excursion to the White Mountains, above mentioned, was succeeded by 
rather an unpleasant occurrence. The good people of Haverhill perceiving a 
stranger among them of very inquisitive habits, and who evinced great zeal in 
exploring the country, sagaciously concluded that he was a spy from Canada, 
* P. Tulicarius. 
t This distressing disease, so well known to the literary student, Wilson was often 
afflicted with. 
