Iviii 
life of WILSON. 
ed their portraits. And, after having passed a few months 
varied with this charming occupation, he again writes to the 
respected inhabitant of the Botanic Garden r 
Union School, July 2, 1805. 
‘‘I dare say you will smile at my presumption, when I tell 
you that I have seriously begun to make a collection of draw- 
ings of the birds to be found in Pennsylvania, or that occasion- 
ally pass through it: twenty-eight, as a beginning, I send for 
your opinion. They are, I hope, inferior to what I shall pro- 
duce, though as close copies of the originals as I could make. 
One or two of these I cannot find either in your nomenclature, 
or among the seven volumes of Edwards. I have never been 
able to find the bird Mr. Jefferson speaks of, and begin to think 
that it must be the Wood Robin, though it seems strange that 
he should represent it as so hard to be seen. Any hint for pro- 
moting my plan, or enabling me to execute better, I will re- 
ceive from you with much pleasure. I have resigned every 
other amusement, except reading and fiddling, for this design, 
which I shall not give up without making a fair trial. 
‘‘Criticise these, my dear friend, without fear of offending 
me — this will instruct, but not discourage me. — ^For there is 
not among all our naturalists one who knows so well what they 
are, and how they ought to be represented. In the mean time 
accept of my best wishes for your happiness — wishes as sincere 
as ever one human being breathed for another. To your ad- 
vice and encouraging encomiums I am indebted for these few 
specimens, and for all that will follow. They may yet tell pos- 
terity that I was honoured with your friendship, and that 
to your inspiration they owe their existence.^'’ 
The plates illustrative of the natural history of Edwards were 
etched by the author himself. Wilson had examined them very 
attentively, and felt assured that, with a little instruction in the 
art of etching, he could produce more accurate delineations; and 
would be enabled, by his superior knowledge of colouring, to 
