Ixxii 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
the date of the arrangement with the publisher, a prospectus 
had been issued, wherein the nature and intended execution of 
the work were specified; but yet no one appeared to entertain 
an adequate idea of the elegant treat which was about to be af- 
forded to the lovers of the arts, and of useful literature. And 
when the volume was presented to the public, their delight was 
only equalled by their astonishment, that our country, as yet in 
its infancy, should produce an original work in science, that 
could vie, in its essentials, with the proudest productions, of a 
similar nature, of the European world. 
k 
TO ME. WM. BARTKAM. 
Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1808. 
“ In a few minutes I set out for the Eastern States, through 
Boston to Maine, and back through the state of Vermont, in 
search of birds and subscribers. I regret that I have not been 
able to spend an evening with you before my departure. But 
I shall have a better stock of adventures to relate after my re- 
turn. 
“ I send a copy of the prospectus, and my best wishes for the 
happiness of the whole family. I leave my horse behind, and 
go by the stage coach, as being the least troublesome. I hope 
to make some discoveries in my tour, the least agreeable of 
Avhich will, I fear, be — that I have bestowed a great deal of la- 
bour and expense to little purpose. But all these things will not 
prevent me from enjoying, as I pass along, the glorious face of 
Nature, and her admirable productions, while I have eyes to 
see, and taste and judgment to appreciate them.” 
After despatching the above note, Wilson set out on a jour- 
ney to the eastward, to exhibit his book, and procure subscribers. 
He travelled as far as the District of Maine; and returned through 
Vermont, by the way of Albany, to Philadelphia. From a letter 
to a friend, dated Boston, October 10th, 1808, we have made 
the following extract: 
“I have purposely avoided saying any thing either good or 
bad, on the encouragement I have met with. I shall only say, 
