LIFE OF WILSON. 
xiii 
fined their views of renown to the limited circle of their family 
or acquaintance. Among this number may he reckoned our 
Wilson; who, believing that he possessed the talent of poetical 
expression, ventured to exhibit his essays to his friends, whose 
approbation encouraged him to renewed perseverance, in the 
hope of emerging from that condition in society which his as- 
piring soul could not but disdain. 
In consequence of his literary attainments, and correct moral 
deportment, he was admitted to the society of several gentle- 
men of talents and respectability, who descried in our youth 
the promise of eminence. Flattered by attentions, which are 
always grateful to the ingenuous mind, he was imboldened to 
the purpose of collecting and publishing his poetical attempts; 
hoping thereby to secure funds sufficient to enable him to per- 
severe in the walks of learning, which, to his glowing fancy, 
appeared to be strewed with flowers. 
In pursuance of this design he printed prbposals; and, being 
“ resolved,” to adopt his own languageP^‘‘to make one bold 
push for the united interests of Pack and Poems,” he once more 
set out to sell his merchandise, and obtain patronage to his work. 
This expedition was unprofitable: he neither advanced his 
fortune, nor received the encouragement of many subscriptions. 
Fortunate would it have been for him, if, instead of giving 
vent to his spleen at the supposed want of discernment of rising 
merit, or lack of taste for the efiusions of genius, he had per- 
mitted himself to be admonished of his imprudence by the in- 
difference of the public, and had taken that for an act of friend- 
ship, which his wounded feelings did not fail to construe into 
contempt. 
But in defiance of discouragement he published his volume, 
under the title of “ Poems, Humorous, Satirical and Serious.” 
The writer of this sketch has it now before him; and finds in it 
the following remarks, in the hand-writing of the author him- 
self: “ I published these poems when only twenty-two — an 
age more abundant in sail than ballast. Reader, let this 
soften the rigor of criticism a little.” Dated, “ Gray’s-Ferry, 
