LIFE OF WILSON. 
clxxvii 
His veneration for truth was exemplary. His disposition was so- 
cial and affectionate. His benevolence was extensive. He was 
remarkably temperate in eating and drinking, his love of study 
and retirement preserving him from the contaminating influence 
of the convivial circle. But as no one is perfect, Wilson in a small 
degree partook of the weaknesses of humanity. He was of the 
GeTius irritabile, and was obstinate in opinion. It ever gave him 
pleasure to acknowledge error, when the conviction resulted from 
his own judgement alone, but he could not endure to be told of 
his mistakes. Hence his associates had to be sparing of their cri- 
ticisms, through a fear of forfeiting his friendship. With almost 
all his friends he had occasionally, arising from a collision of opin- 
ion, some slight misunderstanding, which was soon passed over, 
leaving no disagreeable impression. But an act of disrespect he 
could ill brook, and a wilful injury he would seldom forgive. 
In his person he was of a middle stature, of a thin habit of 
body ; his cheek-bones projected, and his eyes, though hollow, dis- 
played considerable vivacity and intelligence ; his complexion was 
sallow, his mien thoughtful ; his features were coarse, and there 
was a dash of vulgarity in his physiognomy, which struck the ob- 
server at the first view, but which failed to impress one on acquain- 
tance. His walk was quick when travelling, so much so that it 
was difficult for a companion to keep pace with him ; but when in 
the forests, in pursuit of birds, he was deliberate and attentive — he 
was, as it were, all eyes, and all ears. 
Such was Alexander Wilson, When the writer of this hum- 
ble biography indulges in retrospection, he again finds himself in 
the society of that individual, whose life was a series of those vir- 
tues which dignify human nature; he attends him in his wild-wood 
rambles, and listens to those charming observations which the 
magnificence of creation was wont to give birth to ; he sits at his 
feet, and receives the instructions of one, in science, so competent 
2 Y 
VOL. IX. 
