Ixxxii 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
To MR. WILLIAM BARTRAM. 
Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1808. 
“ In a few minutes I set out for the Eastern States, through 
Boston to Maine, and baek through the state of Vermont, in search 
of birds and subscribers. I regret that I have not been able to 
spend an evening with you before my departure. But I shall have 
a better stock of adventures to relate after my return. 
“ I send a copy of the prospectus, and my best wishes for the 
happiness of the whole family. I leave my horse behind, and go 
by the stage coach, as being the least troublesome. I hope to make 
some discoveries in my tour, the least agreeable of which will, I 
fear, be — that I have bestowed a great deal of labour and expense 
to little purpose. But all these things will not prevent me from 
enjoying, as I pass along, the glorious face of Nature, and her ad- 
mirable productions, while I have eyes to see, and taste and judge- 
ment to appreciate them.” 
After despatching the above note, Wilson set out on a journey 
to the eastward, to exhibit his book, and procure subscribers. He 
travelled as far as the District of Maine ; and returned through 
Vermont, by the way of Albany, to Philadelphia. From a letter 
to a friend, dated Boston, October 10th, 1808, we have made the 
following extract : 
I have purposely avoided saying any thing either good or 
bad on the encouragement I have met with. I shall only say, that 
among the many thousands who have examined my book, and 
among these were men of the first character for taste and literature, 
I have heard nothing but expressions of the highest admiration and 
esteem. If I have been mistaken in publishing a work too good 
for the country, it is a fault not likely to be soon I’epeated, and will 
pretty severely correct itself. But whatever may be the result of 
