ALEXANDER WILSON. 
Ixxxi 
was well qualified to perform this office for his 
cceased friend, having been his companion in several 
expeditions for procuring specimens, and collecting the 
“'^'Ration from which the descriptions of the birds were 
•Jrawii 
np. This concluding volume contained a Life of 
son, from the ])cn of the editor. 
As it has been all along om' object to place Wilson 
, ere the reader, either as he represented himself in his 
^urnals and letters, or as he was represented by those who, 
personally acquainted with him, had the best means 
” knowing Ifim accurately, we think it proper to make 
xoine extracts from the character which his American 
^Stapher has drawn, evidently from his own knowledge. 
* may not,” says he, “ be going too far to maintain, 
'St in no age or nation has there ever arisen one more 
*mineutly qualified for a naturalist, than the subject of 
kfse memoirs. He was not only an enthusiastic admirer 
® the Works of creation ; but he was consistent in 
Search, and permitted no dangers or fatigues to abate 
] ®tdour, or relax his exertions. He inured himself to 
ardships by frequent and laborious exercise, and was 
®xer more happy than when employed in some enterprize, 
^ promised, from its difficulties, the novelties of 
to* ^'khatever was obtained with ease, appeared 
] , kim comparatively uninteresting; the acquisitions of 
j alone seemed worthy of his ambition. He was no 
®®ct philosopher ; he was indebted for his ideas, not to 
"^ks, but to nature. His perseverance was uncommon ; 
^ > when engaged in any particular pursuit, he never 
^offid relinquish it while there was a chance of success, 
xfis powers of ohservation were acute, and his judgment 
®W(lom erred That his industry was great, his work will 
®xer te.stify. and onr astonishment may well be excited, 
tim*^ much should have been performed in so short a 
A single individual, without patron, fortune, or 
°'^pense, accomplished, in the short space of seven years. 
