Ixxxiv 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
out to me the route of the British — the American intrench- 
ments — the place where the greatest slaughter was made — the 
spot where Warren fell, and where he was thrown amid heaps 
of the dead, I felt as though I could have encountered a whole 
battalion myself in the same glorious cause. The old soldiers 
were highly delighted with my enthusiasm; we drank a glass 
of wine to the memory of the illustrious dead, and parted al- 
most with regret. 
‘‘ From Boston to Portland, in the District of Maine, you 
are almost always in the neighbourhood, or within sight, of the 
Atlantic. The country may be called a mere skeleton of rocks, 
and fields of sand, in many places entirely destitute of wood, 
except a few low scrubby junipers, in others covered with pines 
of a diminutive growth. On entering the tavern in Portland, 
I took up the newspaper of the day, in which I found my song 
of Freedom and Peace* which I afterwards heard read before 
a numerous company, (for the supreme court was sitting,) with 
great emphasis, as a most excellent song; but I said nothing on 
the subject. 
“ From Portland I steered across the country for the northern 
parts of Vermont, among barren, savage, pine-covered moun- 
tains, through regions where nature and art have done infinitely 
less to make it a fit residence for man than any country I ever 
traversed. Among these dreary tracts I found winter had al- 
ready commenced, and the snow several inches deep. I called 
at Dartmouth College, the president of which, as well as of all 
I visited in New England, subscribed. Though sick with a se- 
vere cold, and great fatigue, I continued my route to this place, 
passing and calling at great numbers of small towns in my way. 
“The legislature is at present in session — the newspapers 
have to-day taken notice of my book, and inserted my advertise- 
ment — I shall call on the principal people — employ an agent 
* A certain military association of Pliiladelphia, being disposed to dignify 
die national celebration of this year, offered a gold medal for die best song 
wliicli should be written for die occasion; and Wilson bore aw^ay the prize 
from many competitors. 
