clviii 
life of WILSON. 
It is not unusual for scholars to keep diaries when they travel. 
These writings are eommonly the objeets of great euriosity, as 
we are all anxious to know what were the impressions which the 
incidents of a journey made upon the mind, when it was in the fit- 
test state to receive them. 
For the gratifieation of the reader I will make a few short 
extracts from Wilson’s Journal, as specimens of his mode of wri- 
ting these unstudied narratives. 
“ March 9. — ^Visited a number of the literati and wealthy of 
Cincinnati, who all told me that they would think of it, viz. of 
subscribing : they are a very thoughtful people. 
“ March 17. — Rained and hailed all last night, setoff at eight 
o’clock, after emptying my boat of the deluge of water. Rowed 
hard all day ; at noon recruited myself with some biscuits, cheese 
and American wine. Reach the falls — night sets in — hear the 
roaring of the rapids. After excessive hard work arrive at Bear- 
grass creek, and fasten my boat to a Kentucky one. T ake my 
baggage and grope my way to Louisville — put up at the Indian 
Queen tavern, and gladly sit down to rest myself. 
“ March 18. — Rose quite refreshed. Found a number of land 
speculators here. Titles to lands in Kentucky subject to great 
disputes. 
« March 19. — Rambling round the town with my gun. Exa- 
mined Mr. ’s drawings in crayons — very good. Saw two 
new birds he had, both JMotcicilliS . 
“ March 20. — Set out this afternoon with the gun — killed no- 
thing new. People in taverns here devour their meals. Many 
shopkeepers board in taverns — also boatmen, land speculators, 
merchants, &c. JVb naturalist to keep me company. 
“ March 21. — Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr. A. 
Saw a number of Sandhill Cranes. Pigeons numeious. 
