xlvi 
MEMOIR OF 
exciirsion through a part of Pennsylvania. Even during 
this pleasure tour, however, he never lost sight of hi* 
grand undertaking, but employed himself in collecting ne^'^ 
specimens, and procuring additional information. Thi* 
took place in the autumn of 1807 ; and, on his retuiUf 
he resumed Ids labours with fresh ardour, devoting evelj 
spare hour to the prosecution ot his great work. 
The following extract furnishes a specimen of 
manner in which AVilson prosecuted his researches : ■ 
“ I started this morning, by peep of day, with my gu"' 
for the purpose of shooting a nuthatch. After jumpin? 
a hundred fences, and getting over the ankles in mu* 
(for I had put on my shoes for lightness,) I found mysel> 
almost at the junction of the Schuylkill and Delaware 
rvithout success, there being hardly half an acre of wood' 
land in the whole neck, and the nuthatch generally frequenk 
large-timbered woods. I returned home at eight o’clor* 
after getting completely wet, and in a profuse perspira- 
tion, which, contrary to the maxims of the doctors, 
done me a great deal of good ; and I intend to repeat tW 
dose, except that I shall leave out the ingredient of tl>' 
wet feet, if otherwise convenient. Were I to prescri^ 
such a remedy to Lawson, he would be ready to think 
mad. Moderate, nay, even pretty severe exercise, is tW 
best medicine in the world for sedentary people, ab 
ought not to be neglected on any account.” ^ 
“ At length,” says his American biographer, “ in t'' 
month of September, 1808, the first volume of the Anitf, 
can Ornilhohijv made its appearance. From the date 
the arrangement wdth the publisher, a prospectus had IK^ 
issued, wherein the nature and intended execution of 
work were specified. But yet no one appeared to s"* 
tain an adequate idea of the treat which was about to JJ 
afforded to the lovers of the fine mts and of eleg^. 
literature ; and when the superb volume was presen' 
to the public, their delight was equalled only by tb** 
