ALEXANDER WILSON. 
Ixxxv 
^ilson, during his wanderings through the pathless forests 
" America. We have known it fondly cherished, as 
te dearest possible recompense, in those who, like him, 
sd the structure of their own fortunes to build. And 
that we contend for is, that while these strong prin- 
ttples cannot banish early and deep-seated filial affection, 
'-‘y prevent the entrance of newer and weaker attach- 
"*®"ts ; and thus, we think, a solution may be given of 
^t otherwise appears contradictory in Wilson's character. 
With regard to the scientific and literary merit of his 
^^at Work, it is neither our province nor our inclination 
^ speak ; the one being sufliciently cared for by the 
<listinguished naturalist, by whom this edition is pre- 
while the other must of itself be evident to every 
''eader. 
This much, however, w'e may say, 
that from 
“^prefaces and descriptions, passages might be selected, 
for elegance of language, graceful ease, and graphic 
^“'ver, could scarcely be surpassed by any within the 
^'"®Pass of British literature. We might instance his 
^'‘^oription of the Mocking Bird, and of the Bald Eagle ; 
Bothing can be finer than the simple and natural 
^Bty of rijQ general preface to his first volume. There 
^*y be found also, throughout the body of the w'ork, 
®lDking incidents, illustrative at once of the man, 
hi difficulties to which he was subjected, during 
toilsome and hazardous undertaking; hut these we 
considered it unnecessary and inexpedient to extract, 
'Vth with peculiar interest in the places 
they naturally occur. 
to peruse the annals of real life is, perhaps, at once the 
J"ost entertaining and the most useful mode of prosecuting 
study of man. And of such annals the most instruc- 
ts are those iu which we see persevering efforts over- 
the most formidable ohstueles, and distinguished 
^ 'Bence gradually winning its arduous ascent above the 
Bf obscurity and depression. For it is no illegiti- 
