LIFE OF WILSON. 
Ivli 
of the different places that we passed, as we went up the Sus- 
quehannah; every thing of this kind, with hunting anecdotes, 
&c. I wish you to collect in your way down. The remainder 
of the poem will, I hope, be superior to what is already writ- 
ten, the scenery and incidents being more interesting; and will 
extend to at least another fifteen hundred lines, which will make 
in all about three thousand. * The notes will swell it to a tole- 
rable size. 
‘‘The ^ Rural Walk,’ which I published last summer in 
the Literary Magazine, has been lately republished in the Port 
Folio, t with many commendations on its beauties. The ‘ So^ 
litary Tutor’ met with much approbation. But I reserve my 
best efforts for the remainder of the ‘Foresters.’ * * 
“ I have not mentioned anything of the sale of the land, nor 
shall I until the business is finally concluded. I shall expect to 
hear from you at least twice yet before you arrive; and I hope 
you will make no unnecessary delay in returning. As you cut 
a pretty ragged appearance at present, and want something to 
laugh at, suppose you set your muse to work upon your tatter- 
demalian dishabille. The former neatness of your garb, con- 
trasted with its present squalidness, would make a capital sub- 
ject for a song, not forgetting the causes. But you are in the 
dress of the people you live among: you arc therefore in cha- 
racter. B. had a hat on when I was up in your quarter, the rim 
of which had been eaten off, close to his head, by the rats, or, 
perhaps, cut off to make soles to his shoes; yet it was so com- 
mon as to escape observation. I saw another fellow, too, at the 
tavern, who had pieces cut out of his behind, like a swallow’s 
tail.” * * * * 
The spring of the year 1805 gave to the enraptured view of 
our naturalist his interesting feathered acquaintance. He lis- 
tened to their artless songs ; he noted their habitudes; he sketch- 
* This poem, as published in the Port Folio, contains two thousand two 
hundred and eighteen lines. It is illustrated witli four plates, two of which 
were engraved by George Cooke of London, 
t For April 27, 1805. 
VOL. I. — H 
