LIFE OF WILSON. 
XXXV 
many years of tranquillity and happiness are, I sincerely hope, 
reserved for you. 
“ I have been prevented from seeing you so long by the hur- 
ry of a crowded school, which occupied all my hours of day- 
light, and frequently half the others. The next quarter will 
leave me time enough; and, as there is no man living in whose 
company I have more real satisfaction, I hope you will pardon 
me if I now and then steal a little of your leisure. 
“ I send for your amusement a few attempts at some of our 
indigenous birds, hoping that your good nature will excuse 
their deficiencies, while you point them out to me. I intended 
to be the bearer of them myself, but having so many little ac- 
counts to draw up before to morrow, I am compelled to plead 
this as my excuse. I am almost ashamed to send you these 
drawings; but I know your generous disposition will induce 
you to encourage one in whom you perceive a sincere and ea- 
ger wish to do well. They were chiefly coloured by candle- 
light. 
“ I have now got my collection of native birds considerably 
enlarged; and shall endeavour, if possible, to obtain all the 
smaller ones this summer. Be pleased to mark on the draw- 
ings, with a pencil, the names of each bird, as, except three or 
four, I do not know them. I shall be extremely obliged to you 
for eveiy hint that will assist me in this agreeable amusement. 
‘‘ I am very anxious to see the performances of your fair pu- 
pil; and beg you would assure her from me that any of the 
birds I have are heartily at her service. Surely Nature is pre- 
ferable, to copy after, to the works of the best masters, though 
perhaps more difficult; for I declare that the face of an owl, 
and the back of a lark, have put me to a nonplus; and if Miss 
Nancy will be so obliging as to try her hand on the last men- 
tioned, I will furnish her with one in good order; and will 
copy her drawing with the greatest pleasure; having spent al- 
most a week on two different ones, and afterwards destro)^ed 
them both, and got nearly in the slough of despond.” 
