XVlll 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
to be admonished of his imprudence by the indifference of the pub- 
lic, and had taken that for an act of friendship which his wounded 
feelings did not fail to construe into contempt. 
But in defiance of discouragement he published his volume, 
under the title of Poems, Humorous, Satirical and Serious.” 
The writer of this sketch has it now before him ; and finds in it 
the following I’emarks, in the hand-writing of the author himself ; 
“I published these poems when only twenty-two — an age more 
abundant in sail than ballast. Reader, let this soften the rigor of 
criticism a little.” Dated, “ Gray’s-Ferry, July 6th, 1804.” These 
poems were, in truth, the productions of a boy, who composed them 
under the most disadvantageous circumstances. They answered 
the purpose for which they were originally intended : to gratify the 
partiality of friendship, and alleviate moments of solitude and des- 
pondency. Their author, in his riper years, lamented his rashness 
in giving them to the world; and it is to be hoped that no one will 
be so officious as to draw them from that obscurity to which he 
himself sincerely rejoiced to see them condemned.* They went 
through two small editions in octavo, the last of which appeared 
in 1791 . The author reaped no benefit from the publication. 
Mortified at the ill success of his literary undertaking, and 
probably with the view of withdrawing himself from associates, 
who, instead of advancing, rather tended to retard his studies, 
Wilson retired to the little village of Lochwinnoch, situated in a 
delightful valley, a few miles from Paisley. In this sequestered 
place he had before resided ; and he now resorted to it, under the 
pressure of disappointment ; and soothed his mind with the em- 
ployment of letters ; and spent his vacant hours amid the roman- 
tic scenery of a country, which was well calculated to captivate 
one who had devoted himself to the service of the muses. 
^ Notwithstanding the hope here expressed, an anonymous editor, influenced, doubtless, 
by sordid motives, published a selection from Wilson’s poems, at Paisley, in the year 1816; 
and prefixed to it a crude biographical sketch of the author. 
