LIFE OF WILSON. 
XXIX 
To Mr. WM. DUNCAN. 
“ Gi'ay^s Ferry, October 30, 1802. 
Dear Billy, 
“ I was favoured with your despatches a few 
hours ago, through the kindness of Colonel Sullivan, who called 
on me for that purpose. I have read and re-read, over and over 
again, their contents; and shall devote the remainder of this even- 
ing to reply to you, and the i^est of the family, now joint tenants 
of the woods. By the arrival of John F. here in August last, I 
received one letter from my brother David, one from Thomas W. 
and one for Alexander from David Wilson; and last week another 
packet arrived from Belfast, containing one letter from your father 
to myself ; and to your mother, brother and brother-in-law, and 
yourself, one each, all of which I have herewith sent, and hope they 
may amuse a leisure hour. F. has been wofully disappointed in 
the expectations he had formed of his uncle. Instead of being able 
to assist him, he found him in the depth of poverty; and fast sink- 
ing under a severe fever; probably the arrival of a relation contri- 
buted to his recovery; he is now able to crawl about. F. has had 
one child born and buried since his arrival. He weaves with Ro- 
bertson, but neither likes the situation nor employment. He is a 
stout, active and ingenious fellow, can turn his hand to almost any 
thing, and wishes as eagerly to get up to the lakes as ever a saint 
longed to get to heaven. He gives a most dismal description of 
the situation of the poor people of Scotland in 1800. 
Your letters, so long expected, have at length relieved me 
from much anxiety. I am very sorry that your accommodations 
are so few, for my sister’s sake, and the children’s; a fire-place and 
comfortable house for the winter must, if possible, be got up with- 
out delay. If masons are not to be had, I would attempt to raise 
a temporary one myself, I mean a fire-place — but surely they may 
H 
VOL. IX. 
