Ixiv 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
To Mr. WM. DUNCAN. 
Gray’s Ferry, May 31, 1805. 
“ Yesterday evening I was finishing a Hanging-bird in my si- 
lent mansion, musing upon a certain aflFair, when Mr. L. popped 
his head in at the window, with a letter. I instantly laid down 
my pencil, and enjoyed a social C7'ack with my distant friend ; and 
was heartily and truly pleased with the upshot. In every thing re- 
lative to this land business, you have acted amidst difficulties and 
discouragements with prudence and discretion. In refusing to en- 
gage with * ^ ^ you acted well ; and I doubt not but you will 
be equally circumspect in making a transfer of the property, so that 
the Yankee will not be able, even if he were willing, to take you in. 
More than half of the roguery of one half of mankind is owing to 
the simplicity of the other half. You have my hearty concurrence 
in the whole affair, for I impatiently wish you beside me, not only 
to enjoy your society and friendship, but to open to you the book 
of knowledge, and enable you, in your turn, to teach it to others. 
In plain language, I wish you to prosecute your studies with me a 
few months ; a school will soon be found, and you can then pursue 
them without expense, and I trust with pleasure. The business 
has indeed its cares, but affords leisure for many amusements ; and 
is decent and reputable when properly discharged. I am living in 
solitude; spending nothing; diligently attending to the duties of 
the day; and filling up every leisure moment with drawing and 
music. I have bought no clothes, nor shall I, this summer; there- 
fore if you settle the matter with ^ ^ ^ as you have agreed, we can 
discharge our obligations to ^ ^ * *, and be in a state to go on with 
your studies for at least six months. Mr. * * * * was hei’e yester- 
day, and expressed many acknowledgments for the rapid progress 
is making, for indeed I have exerted myself to pay my obli- 
gations to the father by my attentions to the son. 
