LIFE OF WILSON. 
Ixvii 
of my best wishes for your happiness — wishes as sincere as ever 
one human being breathed for another. To your advice and en- 
couraging encomiums I am indebted for these few specimens, and 
for all that will follow. They may yet tell posterity that I was 
honoured with your friendships and that to your inspiration they owe 
their existence^ 
The plates illustrative of the natural history of Edwards were 
etched by the author himself. Wilson had examined them very 
attentively, and felt assured that, with a little instruction in the art 
of etching, he could produce more accurate delineations; and would 
be enabled, by his superior knowledge of colouring, to finish the 
figures for his contemplated work in a style not inferior to his 
spirited and beautiful drawings from nature. 
Mr. Lawson was of course consulted on this occasion, and 
cheerfully contributed his advice and assistance in the novel and 
difficult enterprise. Wilson procured the copper; and, the former 
having laid the varnish, and furnished the necessary tools, he ea- 
gerly commenced the important operation, on the successful ter- 
mination of which his happiness seemed to depend. 
Let the reader pause and reflect on the extravagance of that 
enthusiasm, which could lead a person to imagine, that, without 
any knowledge of an art derived from experience, he could at once 
produce that effect, which is the result only of years of trial and 
diligence. 
The next day after Wilson had parted from his preceptor, 
the latter, to use his own words, was surprised to behold him boun- 
cing into his room, crying out — “/ have finished my plate! let us 
bite it in with the aquafortis at otice, for I tnust have a proof before 
I leave town Lawson burst into laughter at the ludicrous ap- 
* For the information of those of our readers, who are unacquainted with the process ot 
etching, we subjoin the following explanatory note : — 
Upon the polished copper-plate a coat of varnish, of a particular composition, is tliinly spread. 
