The Life and Letters of Alexander WilsonAlexander Wilson, expatriate Scotsman, poet, & reformer, has been called "the Father of American Ornithology." This collection of his letters, many of them new & many complete for the first time, captures a splendid & stimulating time in American history. Wilson was a confidant of William Bartram, a correspondent of Thomas Jefferson, a sensitive personality who set out as he said to make "a collection of all our finest birds." In pursuit of this goal he traveled through much of the eastern part of the U.S., often on foot. His letters well document the joy he felt at each new discovery as well as the terrible physical harships he endured. Though later overshadowed by J.J. Audubon, Wilson deserves much credit for being one of the pioneers in American ornithology. Includes an intro. by Clark Hunter, ed. of the letters. |
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Common terms and phrases
able ALEX Alexander Wilson American Ornithology appearance arrival believe birds called collection contains continued copy court covered dated Dear Sir drawings expected father feet FIGURE give GROSART half hand happy hear History hope horse hundred interesting James John journey kind land least leave letter Library living look March mentioned miles mind months morning nature nearly never night obliged observed Paisley particulars passed perhaps person Philadelphia plates poem present printed publication published received remain respect river Scotland seems seen sent side sincere soon streets subscribers thing tion told town travelling United volume week whole William Bartram William Dunbar wish woods write wrote York young
Popular passages
Page 210 - I sometimes smile to think that while others are immersed in deep schemes of speculation and aggrandizement — in building towns and purchasing plantations, I am entranced in contemplation over the plumage of a lark, or gazing like a despairing lover, on the lineaments of an owl.
Page 211 - I set about drawing it that same evening, and all the while the pantings of its little heart showed it to be in the most extreme agonies of fear. I had intended to kill it, in order to fix it in the claws of a stuffed owl ; but happening to spill a few drops of water near where it was tied, it lapped it up with such eagerness, and looked in my face with such an eye of supplicating terror, as perfectly overcame me. I immediately untied it, and restored it to life and liberty. The agonies of a prisoner...
Page 371 - I bade adieu to Louisville, to which place I had four letters of recommendation, and was taught to expect much of everything there; but neither received one act of civility from those to whom I was recommended, one subscriber, nor one new bird; though I delivered my letters, ransacked the woods repeatedly, and visited all the characters likely to subscribe. Science or literature has not one friend in this place.
Page 103 - ... a moment. It was evident that she was completely deceived. Always when evening drew on, and often during the day, she laid her head close to the image in the glass, and began to doze with great composure and satisfaction.
Page 95 - His surprise appeared great, as he told me he never had the most distant idea that any other individual than himself had been engaged in forming such a collection. He asked me if it was my intention to publish, and when I answered in the negative, his surprise seemed to increase. And, truly, such was not my intention; for, until long after, when I met the Prince of Musignano in Philadelphia, I had not the least idea of presenting the fruits of my labours to the world.
Page 76 - Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing, calm and slow, O'er all the horrors of the scene below; Intent alone to sate himself with blood, From the torn victims of the raging flood.
Page 362 - As soon as day broke and not before, the terror of the woman having permitted him to remain for two hours in this most deplorable situation, she sent two of her children to the barn, her husband not being at home, to bring the servants; and on going in they found him lying on the bed ; he uncovered his side, and showed them where the bullet had entered; a piece of the forehead was blown off, and had exposed the brains, without having bled much. He begged they would take his rifle and blow out his...
Page 361 - ... now dusk, the woman went off to the kitchen, and the two men to the barn, which stands about two hundred yards off. The kitchen is only a few paces from the room where Lewis was ; and the woman being considerably alarmed by the behaviour of her guest, could not sleep, but listened to him walking backwards and forwards, she thinks for several hours, and talking aloud, as she said, like a lawyer.
Page 250 - Mississippi ; and believing that my services might be of advantage to some of these parties, in promoting your Excellency's design, while the best opportunities would be afforded me of procuring subjects for the work which I have so much at heart ; under these impressions I beg leave to offer myself for any of these expeditions ; and can be ready at a short notice to attend your Excellency's orders.
Page 361 - He smoked for some time, but quitted his seat and traversed the yard as before. He again sat down to his pipe, seemed again composed, and casting his eyes wistfully towards the west, observed what a sweet evening it was. Mrs. Grinder was preparing a bed for him; but he said he would sleep on the floor, and desired the servant to bring the bear skins and buffalo robe, which were immediately spread out for him; and it being now dusk the woman went off to the kitchen, and the two men to the barn, which...