XXll 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
S, continues to increase in bulk, money and respectability^ 
a continual current of elevenpenny bits pouring in, and but 
few running out. ******* 
“We are very anxious to heai’ how you got up; and well 
pleased that you played the Horse Jockey so luckily. If you 
are fixed in the design of distilling, you will write me, by the 
first opportunity, before winter sets in, so that I may arrange 
matters in time. 
“ I have got the schoolhouse enlarged, by contributions 
among the neighbours. In summer the school is, in reality, 
not much; but in winter, I shall be able to teach with both 
pleasure and profit. 
^ 
“ When I told R. of his sister’s death, ‘ I expected so,’ said 
Jamie, ‘ any other news that’s curious?’ So completely does 
long absence blunt the strongest feelings of affection and friend- 
ship. May it never be so with you and me, if we should ne- 
ver meet again. On my part it is impossible, except God, in 
his wrath, should deprive me of my present soul, and animate 
me with some other.” 
Wilson next changed his residence for one in the village 
of Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he again opened a school. 
But being advised of a more agreeable and lucrative situation, 
he solicited, and received, an engagement from the trustees of 
Union School, situated in the township of Kingsess or King- 
sessing, a short distance from Gray’s Ferry, on the river Schuyl- 
kill, and about four miles from Philadelphia. 
This removal constituted an important era in the life of Wil- 
son. His school-house and residence being but a short dis- 
tance from Bartram’s Botanic Garden, situated on the western 
bank of the Schuylkill: a sequestered spot, possessing attrac- 
tions of no ordinary kind; an acquaintance was soon contract- 
ed with that venerable naturalist, Mr. William Bartram,* 
* The autlior of “ Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, 
East and West Florida,” &c. This excellent gentleman closed his long and 
useful life on the 22d July, 1823, in the eighty-fourth year of liis age. 
