XXXIV 
MEMOIH OF 
and to music, with its “ strains, which might create a 
soul under the ribs of death and we would just 
suggest, that these gentlemen did themselves, at least, as 
much service as they could do Wilson, in thus acquiring 
a claim to be connected with his name, and his imperish- 
able reputation. If we allow ourselves to recollect that 
he was kept in constant thraldom tp the drudgeries of a 
school, depressed by iienury, and tasking his powers to 
their utmost stretch in unremitting study for his own 
improvement, we may easily account for that bodily 
lassitude, wiiich occasionally threw a shade of languor 
and melancholy over his mind. For, when the bodily 
powers are outworn, there invariably follows a tendency 
to mental depression ; so close is the connection, so 
intimate the sympathy, between the body and the mind. 
Wilson’s letters to his nephew, W. Duncan, then residing 
on a farm, their joint pro])erty, in the State of New York, 
shew both the cause of his incessant toil, and the spirit 
with which he bore it. The following extracts relate to 
this subject ; — 
“ My dear friend and nephew, I wish you could find 
a leisure hour in the evening to give the children, particu- 
larly Mary, some instruction in reading, and Alexander in 
writing and accounts. Don’t be discouraged though they 
make but slow progress in both, but persevere a little 
every evening. I think you can hardly employ an hour 
at night to better purpose. And make James read every 
convenient opportunity. If I hre to come up beside you, 
I shall take that burden off your shoulders. Be the con- 
stant friend and counsellor of your little colony, to assist 
them in their difficulties, eiuMurage them in their despond- 
encies, to make them as happy as circumstances will 
enable you. A mother, brothers, and sisters, in a foreign 
country, looking up to you as their best friend and sup- 
porter, places you in a dignified point of view. The 
future remembrance of your kind duty to them now, will, 
