XXXll 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
the art of delineation. Mr. Bartram now advised a trial at 
birds; and being tolerably skilful himself, exhibited his port- 
folio, which was graced with many specimens from his own 
hands. The attempt was made, and succeeded beyond the ex- 
pectation of Wilson, or that of his friends. There was a ma- 
gic in the employment which aroused all the energies of his 
soul ; he saw, as it were, the dayspring of a new creation ; and, 
from being the humble follower of his instructors, he was soon 
qualified to lead the way in the charming art of imitating the 
works of the Great Original. 
That Wilson likewise undertook the task of delineating flow- 
ers, appears from the following note to Mr. Bartram, dated 
Nov. 20th, 1803: 
“ I have attempted two of those prints which Miss Nancy 
so obligingly, and with so much honour to her own taste, se- 
lected for me. I was quite delighted with the anemone, but 
fear I have made but bungling w’ork of it. Such as they are I 
send them for your inspection and opinion; neither of them is 
quite finished. For your kind advice towards my improvement 
I return my most grateful acknowledgments. 
“ The duties of my profession will not admit me to apply to 
this study with the assiduity and perseverance I could wish. 
Chief part of what I do is sketched by candle-light; and for this 
I am obliged to sacrifice the pleasures of social life, and the 
agreeable moments which I might enjoy in company with you 
and your amiable friend. I shall finish the other some time this 
week; and shall be happy if what I have done merit your ap- 
probation.” 
As Wilson advanced in drawing, he made corresponding pro- 
gress in the knowledge of Ornithology. He had perused the 
works of some of the naturalists of Europe, who had written 
on the subject of the birds of America, and became so disgust- 
ed with their caricatured figures, fanciful theories, fables and 
misrepresentations, that on turning, as he himself observes, 
from these barren and musty records to the magnificent repo- 
* Mr. Bartram’s niece, now the consort of Col. Carr. 
