LIFE OF WILSON. 
clxi 
“ April 12.— Went this evening to drink tea with Mr. * * * ■ 
was introduced to Mrs. * * *, a most lovely, accomplished and 
interesting woman. Her good sense and lively intelligence of a 
cast far superior to that of almost any woman I have ever seen. 
She is most unfortunately unwell with a nervous complaint, which 
affects her head. She told me, most feelingly, that the spring, 
which brings joy to every other being, brings sorrow to her, for in 
winter she is always well. 
“April 25. Breakfasted at Walton’s, thirteen miles from 
Nashville. This place is a fine rich hollow, watered by a charm- 
ing, clear creek, that never fails. Went up to Madison’s Lick, 
where I shot three parakeets and some small birds. 
“ April 26. Set out early, the hospitable landlord, Isaac Wal- 
ton, refusing to take any thing for my fare, or that of my horse, 
saying-“roM seem to be travelling for the good of the xvorld ; and 
I cannot, I will not charge you any thing. Whenever you come this 
way, call and stay with me, you shall be welcome !” This is the first 
instance of such* hospitality which I have met with in the United 
States.” 
“ Wednesday, May 23. Left Natchez, after procuring twelve 
subscribers ; and having received a kind letter of invitation from 
William Dunbar, Esq., I availed myself of his goodness, and rode 
nine miles along the usual road to his house ; where, though con- 
fined to his bed by a severe indisposition, I was received with great 
hospitality and kindness ; had a neat bed-room assigned me ; and 
was requested to consider myself as at home during the time I 
should find it convenient to stay in exploring this part of the 
country.” 
*■ The editor of Wilson’s Poems, in quoting this paragraph, omitted the word sucA, tiierc- 
by intending to convey a charge of the want of hospitality in the American character, vvltich our 
author rarely experienced. Wilson»s meaning is sufficiently obvious, without comment. 
2 S 
VOL. IX. 
