ALEXANDER WILSON. 
xli 
yet so far am I from being satisfied with what I have 
seen, or discouraged by the fatigues which every traveller 
must submit to, that I feel more eager than ever to com- 
mence some more extensive expedition, where scenes and 
subjects, entirely new and generally unknown, might 
reward my curiosity ; and where, perhaps, my humble 
acquisitions might add something to the stores of know- 
ledge. For all the hazards and privations incident to such 
an undertaking, I feel confident in my own spirit and 
resolution. With no family to enchain my affections ; no 
ties but those of friendship ; with the most ardent love to 
my adopted country ; with a constitution which hardens 
amidst fatigues ; and with a disposition sociable and open, 
which can find itself at home by an Indian fire in the 
depth of the woods, as well as in the best apartment of 
the civilized; for these, and some other reasons that 
invite me away, I am determined to become a traveller. 
But I am miserably deficient in many acquirements abso- 
lutely necessary for such a character. Botany, mineralogy, 
and drawing, I most ardently wish to be instructed in. 
Can I yet make any progress in botany, sufficient to enable 
me to be useful ? and what would be the most proper way 
to proceed ? I have many leisure moments that should 
be devoted to this pursuit, provided I could have hopes 
of succeeding. Your opinion on this subject will confer 
an additional obligation on your affectionate friend.” 
This very striking display of some of the most charac- 
teristic qualities of Wilson’s mind, — cool conception, and 
ardent, indomitable resolution,— must have satisfied his 
friends, that the suggestion of no prudential considerations 
was of the least avail to making him swerve from his 
purpose. Their future efforts, accordingly, seem to have 
been directed chiefly towards lessening the difficulties 
which they foresaw, and endeavouring to promote those 
views which they wished, but were unable, to eheck, — for 
