XV111 
MEMOIR OF 
was, a growing dislike to the confinement of his occupa- 
tion ; or, in the harsh language of some, an increasing 
tendency to idleness. It was about this time that his first 
public attempts as a poet, were made ; several of his short 
pieces occasionally appearing in the Glasgow Advertiser . 
These speedily attracted the notice of his townsmen, and 
became “ the nightly subjects of discussion, in the clubs 
and bookshops of Paisley.” This, probably, contributed 
not a little towards encouraging him to the next step 
which he took, and which forms an era in his life. 
His brother-in-law, William Duncan, had gone to 
reside at Queensferry, whither Wilson followed him, and 
continued for some time to work at his trade with his 
former master. With a view to better his circumstances, 
Duncan resolved to make an excursion throughout the 
eastern districts of Scotland as a pedlar; and in this he 
was accompanied by Wilson, now in his twentieth year. 
The loom was now completely abandoned ; and, for a 
period of nearly three years, he seems to have led the 
life of a wandering pedlar. But the feeling of release 
from the toilsome loom, at first so delightful to one 
rapturously fond of the beauties of nature, soon began 
to subside, permitting him to estimate more truly the 
difficulties, fatigues, and, above all, the degradation of his 
new employment. He had now, however, a great deal 
more leisure for reading, writing, and indulging in a species 
of dreamy meditation, not less pleasant, and occasionally 
scarcely less beneficial, than either. It besides furnished 
him with opportunities of studying men and manners, to 
an extent scarcely otherwise attainable : and, if it was 
often attended by disagreeable circumstances, it had its 
advantages, — it enabled him to visit all the classic ground 
of Scottish song and story, and to trace the scenes hal- 
lowed by the birth or residence of glorious chief, or still 
more glorious poet. “ I can yet remember,” says one of 
his biographers, who was also his personal friend, “ with 
