ALEXANDER WILSON. 
XXXI 
in the schoolhouse of that village. Here he remained 
for several years, in the faithful discharge of his profes- 
sional duties, and the assiduous culture of several branches 
of learning, which he had not previously found oppor- 
tunity to pursue with any steadiness or method. A part 
of his leisure was employed in surveying land for the 
farmers, by which he earned a small additional income. 
In this period, he performed, on foot, in twenty-eight 
days, a journey of nearly eight hundred miles, into the 
State of New York, for the purpose of visiting and 
assisting a family of relatives, from Scotland. This 
incident proves the strength at once of his affection, and 
of his perseverance. Nor was it only to brother emigrants 
that his friendly cares were extended ; his heart had not 
ceased to beat warmly and truly for those he had left in 
his “ far father-land.” In a letter to his father, dated 
from Milestown, Philadelphia, August, 1798, after 
giving a view of the state of politics, and a sketch of 
the manners of those among whom he resided, he thus 
proceeds : — “ I should be very happy, dear parents, 
to hear from you, and how my brother and sisters are. 
I hope David will be a good lad, and take his father’s 
advice in every difficulty. If he does, I can tell him he will 
never repent it ; if he does not, he may regret it bitterly 
with tears. This is the advice of a brother, with whom 
he has not yet had time to be much acquainted, but who 
loves him sincerely. I should wish also, that he would 
endeavour to improve himself in some useful parts of 
learning, to read books of information and taste, without 
which a man, in any country, is but a clodpole ; but, beyond 
every thing else, let him cherish the deepest gratitude to 
God, and affectionate respect for his parents. I have 
thought it my duty, David, to recommend these amiable 
virtues to you, because I am your brother, and very 
probably I may never see you. In the experience I have 
had among mankind, I can assure you, that such conduct 
