LIFE OF WILSON. 
Ixxxi 
sters that earth can boast of; while every zephyr that plays around 
you breathes fragrance. Ah ! how different my situation in this 
delightful season, immured among musty books, and compelled to 
forego the harmony of the woods for the everlasting din of the city; 
the very face of the blessed heavens involved in soot, and inter- 
rupted by walls and chimney tops. But if I don’t launch out into 
the woods and fields oftener than I have done these twelve months, 
may I be transformed into a street musician.” (The remainder of 
the MS. defaced.) 
All things being happily arranged, Wilson applied himself to 
his varied and extensive duties with a diligence which scarcely ad- 
mitted repose ; until finding his health much impaired thereby, he 
was induced to seek the benefits of relaxation in a pedestrian jour- 
ney through a part of Pennsylvania ; which afforded him a favour- 
able opportunity of procuring specimens of birds ; and some addi- 
tional information relating to them of which he was very desirous 
to be possessed. This excursion was made in the month of August, 
1807; and on his return he engaged in his avocations with renew- 
ed ardour ; devoting every moment, which could be spared from 
his editorial duties, to his great work. 
At length in the month of September, 1808, the first volume 
of the “ American Ornithology” made its appearance. From 
the date of the arrangement with the publisher, a prospectus had 
been issued, wherein the nature and intended execution of the w'ork 
were specified ; but yet no one appeared to entertain an adequate 
idea of the elegant treat which was about to be afforded to the 
lovers of the arts, and of useful literature. And when the volume 
was presented to the public, their delight was only equalled by 
their astonishment, that our country, as yet in its infancy, should 
produce an original work in science that could vie, in its essentials, 
with the proudest productions, of a similar nature, of the European 
world. 
VOL. IZ. 
X 
