LIFE OF WILSON. 
clxix 
- 1 - ' “This Monument 
-v Covers the Remains of 
' ALEXANDER WILSON, 
Author of the 
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
He was Born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, 
On the 6 July, 1766; 
Emigrated to the United States 
In the Year 1794; 
And Died in Philadelphia 
Of the Dysentery, 
On the 23 August, 1813, 
Aged 47.” 
I shall now offer some brief remarks upon those writings of 
Wilson, which have fallen under my notice; and in the per- 
formance of this task, it will become my duty to speak of a 
work, which I had hoped would be permitted to lie in obli- 
vion, but which either the indiscreet partiality of friends, or 
the avarice of a publisher, has lately dragged forth to the view 
of the public. From the volume which the author published 
himself, in the year 1791, and which is entitled, “ Poems, Hu- 
morous, Satirical and Serious,” a selection was made, and pub- 
lished, in 1816, at Paisley and at London, under the title of 
“ Poems chiefly in the Scottish dialect; by Alexander Wilson, 
author of American Ornithology. ” When I commenced reading 
this selection, it was my intention to note its beauties and de- 
fects; but when I found how greatly the latter predominated, 
it occurred to me that no good could result from a critical ex- 
amination of a work which few would read, which contains 
nothing deserving of applause; and which, if it has hitherto es- 
caped criticism, it is because it has been deemed unworthy of 
a deliberate investigation. 
The early writings of but few authors are worthy of being 
read, except for the purpose of tracing the progress of the mind. 
When one surveys the work in question with this view, one 
is astonished to find no indication of that genius which is so 
VOL. I. — Y 
