LIFE OF WILSON. 
clix 
woods, that rose from various parts of the earth beneath to the 
heavens; for the day was beautiful and serene. Hence I travel- 
led to Dartmouth, and thence in a direct course to Boston. 
From Boston I passed through Portsmouth to Portland, and 
got some things new; my return was by a different route. I 
have procured three new and beautiful Hawks; and have glean- 
ed up a stock of remarks that will be useful to me hereafter. 
“I hope, my dear sir, that you have been well since I left 
you. I have myself been several times afflicted with a violent 
palpitation of the heart,* and want to try whether a short voy- 
age by sea will not be beneficial. 
‘‘ In New England the rage of war, the virulence of politics, 
and the pursuit of commercial speculations, engross every fa- 
culty. The voice of Science, and the charms of Nature, un- 
less these last present themselves in the form of prize sugars, 
coffee, or rum, are treated with contempt.” 
The excursion to the White Mountains, above mentioned, 
was succeeded by rather an unpleasant occurrence. The good 
people of Haverhill perceiving a stranger among them of very 
inquisitive habits, and who evinced great zeal in exploring the 
country, sagaciously concluded that he was a spy from Canada, 
employed in taking sketches of the place, to facilitate the in- 
vasion of the enemy. Under these impressions it was thought 
conducive to the public safety that Wilson should be appre- 
hended; and he was accordingly taken into the custody of a 
magistrate, who, on being made acquainted with his character, 
and the nature of his visit, politely dismissed him, with many 
apologies for the mistake. 
The publication of the Ornithology now advanced as rapidly 
as a due regard to correctness and elegance would admit. In 
order to become better acquainted with the feathered tribes, 
and to observe their migrations with more accuracy, as well 
as to enjoy the important advantages of a rural retirement, 
Wilson resided the better part of the years 1811-12 at the Bo- 
* This distressing disease, so well known to tire literary student, Wilson 
was often afflicted with. 
