ALEXANDER WILSON. 
cm 
met at Louisville ; and have to regret that their intimacy and 
acquaintance had not a longer existence. Before this meeting, 
neither seemed to have had any idea of the other’s existence, 
though both were eagerly pursuing the same object. Wilson thus 
notices it in his diary: — 
“ March 19. — Rambling round the town with my gun. Exa- 
mined Mr ’s drawings in crayons — very good. Saw two new 
birds he had- — both Motacillce. 
March 20. — Set out this afternoon with the gun — killed nothing 
new. People in taverns here devour their meals. Many shop- 
keepers board in taverns — also boatmen, land-speculators, mer- 
chants, &c. No naturalist to keep me company . 
“ March 21. — Went out this afternoon shooting with Mr A. 
Saw a number of Sandhill Crows ; Pigeons numerous.” 
Till 1812, Wilson resided chiefly at Philadelphia, with Mr 
Bartram, writing and superintending his work, and making exten- 
sive excursions around the neighbouring country. The colouring 
of the plates cost him much trouble ; and he even wrought at this 
department himself, anxious to render them as brilliant and true 
to nature as possible. This is a branch of the art yet understood in 
this country by a very few only, and is one of the greatest bars to 
the faithful representation of the more splendid forms of the 
feathered race. 
Plis American biographer now, for the first time, introduces 
himself as the friend and companion of Wilson. He does not 
mention at what period this intimacy commenced, but tells us that, 
in 1812, a journey was undertaken by our author into the eastern 
states, for the purpose of visiting his subscribers and settling 
accounts with his agents. During this expedition Wilson writes to 
Mr Ord, giving a short account of the excursion : — 
To Mr George Ord. 
“ Boston, October 13, 1812. 
“ Dear Sir, — It is not in my power at present to give you any 
thing more than a slight sketch of my rambles since leaving 
Philadelphia. My route up the Hudson afforded great pleasure, 
