XXXVlll 
MEMOIR OF 
but observed, that there were several consideratio”' 
which should have their weight before determini"! 
to enter upon an affair of so much importance. 
that his friend would not enter into bis views, Wils<J 
expressed his scorn of the prudentisd maxims with whi** 
he was assailed, by styling them the maxims of a cO" 
cakulatimj, contemptible philusopky. Smrh was the encO>l 
rageinent he met with from these, his “ guides, philoS^ 
phers, and friends,” to embark on his toilsome and perilo*^ 
undertaking, who seem never to have anticipated, 
what they recommended as a relaxation would thus becolt* 
the sole object of liis pursuit : and such, as the evc^ 
proved, was the erroneous estimate they formed of wh* 
might, or might not be achieved, as is always the 
when men of mediocrity, calcidating by what they thciH 
selves arc able to perform, venture to estimate the powel^ 
or direct the efforts of men of genius. 
In October, 1804, Wilson, accompanied by two friend’ 
set out on a pedestrian journey to the far-famed Fa® 
of Niagaiiu Arrived upon its banks, he gazed upon tb 
wild and wondrous scene with an enthusiasm bordcri''l 
upon distraction ; and ever after declared, that no languaf 
was forcible enough to convey an adequate idea of th* 
magnificent cataract. The expedition having been coi*^ 
menced too late in the season, our travellers were ovcrtaU*' 
on their return by winter, and compelled to struggle f 
a considerable part of the way through snow midlcg deep 
One of his companions remained with his friends on tW 
Cayuga lake ; the other availed himself of a more agrc*' 
able mode of travelling ; but the hardy jiride of Wils^’ 
would not permit him to be overcome by fatigue ^ 
difficulties. He held on his way, refusing to be relieve 
of his gun and baggage, and reached his home in 
beginning of December, having been absent fifty-n'''* 
days, and having in that time traversed 1257 miles, 
which he walked 47 the last day. 
