ALEXANDER WILSON. Ixxxiii 
•nches,) handsome and vigorous, inclining to the slender, 
father than the athletic. Even when a poor Paisley weaver, 
he tvBs remarkable for neatness of appearance, and for an 
*"1 superior to his condition — as if the native dignity of his 
*f*^Rd shone through his mien and bearing. His counte- 
eance, tinged with melancholy, was expressive of deep 
fefleetion ; his eye, penetrating and intelligent, especially 
'then engaged in conversation. His eyebrows were 
strikingly arched, and his hair, which was dark and glossy, 
down over his shoulders.* Strong good sense, high 
Worai worth, and a lofty spirit of independence, rvere the 
characteristic features of his mind. His conversational 
Powers Were greatly superior to those of the men wdth 
^hom he was accustomed to associate ; and he acquired, 
Consequence, like Burns, somewhat of a dictatorial 
Oiatiner. There was a quickness, a strength, and an 
“figinality in his remarks, indicating mental endowments 
of a very high order ; and where did ever such endowments 
wdthout their possessor being conscious of their 
hfosence ? In no respect was his character more estimable, 
j,, ^ach is the account of his personal appearance, which we 
been able to draw from the recollections of his friends in 
m*i|C.ountry ; and it seems borne out by the engraving prefixed 
p nis volume, the original of which was painted by James 
enh'^’ '‘’hen Wilson was in his twenty-second year. The parti- 
” preserwid by his American biographer possess no little 
lif« exhibiting him as he was at a more advanced period ot 
, , > when moving in a more intelligent class of society thiui 
r„ ^'ou'.h had been accustomed to, and engaged in his favourite 
.““arches among the -woods-. “ In his person,” says Mr Ord, 
he Was of a middle stature, of a thin baldt of body ; his eheek- 
, projected, and his eyes, though hollow, displayed consi- 
d?rable vivacity and intelligence ; his comple.xion was sallow, 
‘8 ttuen thouglitful • his features were coarse, and there was a 
at rl '’“Igarity in his physiognomy, which struck the observer 
j, 'he first view, but whicli failed to impress one on acquaintance, 
dim "'“•8 quick when travelling,— so much so, that it was 
the f hir a companion to keep l>ace with him ; but W'heii in 
ho in pursuit of birds, he was deliberate and attentive — 
'’»*) as it were, all eyes, and all Bars." 
