LIFE OF WILSON. xxxiii 
sitory of the woods and fields — the Grand Aviary of Nat ure, 
his delight bordered on adoration. It was not in the inventions 
of man that the Divine Wisdom could be traced; but it was 
visible in the volume of creation, wherein are inscribed the 
Author’s lessons of goodness and love, in the conformation, 
the habitudes, melody and migrations, of the feathered tribes, 
that beautiful portion of the work of his hands. 
To invite the attention of his fellow-citizens to a study, at- 
tended with so much pleasure and improvement, was the natu- 
ral wish of one who had been educated in the School of Wis- 
dom. He humbly thought it would not be rendering an unac- 
ceptable service to the Great Master of Creation himself, 
to derive from objects that every where present themselves in 
our rural walks, not only amusement and instruction, but the 
highest incitements to piety and virtue. Moreover, self-grati- 
fication, that source of so many of our virtuous actions, had its 
share in urging him to communicate his observations to others * 
He examined the strength of his mind, and its resources; the 
undertaking seemed hazardous; he pondered it for a long while 
before he ventured to mention it to his friends. At length the 
subject was made known to Mr. Bartram, who freely express- 
ed his confidence in the abilities and acquirements of Wilson; 
but, from a knowledge of the situation and circumstances of 
the latter, hinted his fears that the difficulties which stood in 
the way of such an enterprise were almost too great to be over- 
come. Wilson was not easily intimidated; the very mention 
of difficulties suggested to his mind the means of surmounting 
them, and the glory which would accrue from such an achieve- 
ment He had a ready answer to every objection of his cau- 
tious friend; and evinced such enthusiasm, that Mr. Bartram 
trembled lest his intemperate zeal should lead him into a situa- 
tion, from the embarrassments of which he could not well be 
extricated. 
The scheme was unfolded to Mr. Lawson, and met with his 
cordial approbation. But he observed that there were several 
* Introduction to vol. i. 
VOL. I. — E 
