clxx 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
conspicuous in after life; a barrenness of invention, a poverty 
of expression, a deficiency of taste and judgment, are its cha- 
racteristics. 
The author of the “ Biographical Sketch,” appended to the 
Selection* above mentioned, says, “ We have it from Wilson’s 
acquaintance, that many of the poems he had written were 
committed to the flames, without a moment’s consideration, 
because the subject had lost its interest with himself.” The 
writer thus gravely accounts for this conduct: “ This instabili- 
ty of conduct was, no doubt, the result of untoward circum- 
stances, operating upon a mind ardent in the pursuit of some- 
* It appears by the advertisement affixed to tliis selection, that it “ was 
made and printed under the direction of a gentleman who has smce paid the 
debt of nature;” and that “ it was Ins intention to give the life of Wilson.” 
If one were allowed to form a conjecture of the abilities of this editor, by the 
judgment displayed in his choice, one would have no reason to regret that 
Iris task was never accomplished. How he could admit such productions as 
“The Wasp’s Revenge,” and the “Verses on the Deatli of a Favourite 
Spaniel,” one may well inquire. 
That Wilson liimself entertained a mean opinion of liis boyish publication, 
I am authorised to assert from tire circumstance, that, though possessing a 
copy, he would never allow me to read it, notwitlrstanding I frequently lu-g- 
ed him to grant me tlris favour. 
An itinerant Scotclrman once called upon Wilson’s executors, with a re- 
quest that he might be allowed tire privilege of printing an edition of his poems, 
ui’glng, in justification of the proposition. Iris peculiar fitness, by his know- 
ledge of the Scotlisli dialect, for extenduig the /ame of the autlror of tire Ame- 
rican Oririthologyl It is needless to add tlrat tlris poor schemer was dismissed 
with the reply, that the fame of Wilson did not stand in need of his assistance. 
It is much to the honour of the American press, tlrat it has abstained from 
re-piinting the work which, with unfeigned sorrow, I have been compelled, 
by a sense of duty, to animadvert so severely upon. But I must confess, tlrat 
when a brother weaver, Robert Tannalrill, was introduced to our notice, 1 
trembled for the fate of Wilson. 
As has been stated, Wilsoir’s poem of the “ Foresters” was first publish- 
ed in the Port Folio. Shortly after the decease of its author, a very modest 
and honest gerrtleman, living in Pennsylvania, undertook its republication; 
and actually took out a copy-right for the same. That the poem was re-print- 
ed ireeds irot excite our wonder; but that its sale slroidd have been monopo- 
lized by a pateirt, is a trick of trade well worthy of remark. 
