Sketch of the Life of Alexander Wilson, Author of the American Ornithology (Classic Reprint)

In the preface to the first edition of this biographical sketch, the motives of the publication are stated, and the peculiar circumstances under which its author was placed, in respect to materials, are detailed; there is, therefore, no need of repeating them. It has been thought proper to augment the volume, by a selection from the series of interesting letters, which were put into the writers hands by some of Wilson spersonal friends, who were anxious that these memorials should not be lost. It maybe, perhaps, objected, that some of them are of too trifling a nature for publication; but let it be observed that they all, more or less, tend to throw light upon the employments, and peculiarities of character, of an individual of no everyday occurrence; one of those to whose genius we would render homage, and the memory of whom we delight to cherish. For the particulars of Wilson searly life, the writer has been indebted to a narrative, in manuscript, which was communicated to him by Mr. William Duncan. This information, coming from a nephew of Wilson s, and his confidential friend for many years, must be deemed authentic; and we have to regret that the plan and limits of our publication, did not allow us to make a freer use of what was so kindly placed at our disposal. To Mr. Duncan, Mr. Milleif and Mr. Lawson, the writer owes many obligations, for the promptitude with which they intrusted to him their letters; and his acknowledgments are equally due to Colonel Robert Carr, who furnished him with the letters to the late William Bartram. The friendship which subsisted between Wilson and the latter was of the most exalted kind; and the warm expression of confidence and regard which characterize these letters, will afford a proof of how much of the writers happiness was derived from this amiable intercourse.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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