July 6th, 1804." These poems were, in truth, the productions of a boy, who composed them under the most disadvantageous circumstances. They answered the purpose for which they were originally intended: to gratify the partiality of friendship, and alleviate moments of solitude and despondency. Their author, in his riper years, lamented his rashness in giving them to the world; and it is to be hoped that no one will be so officious as to draw them from that obscurity to which he himself sincerely rejoiced to see them condemned. They went through two small editions in octavo, the last of which appeared in 1791. The author reaped no benefit from the

publication.

Mortified at the ill success of his literary undertaking, and probably with the view of withdrawing himself from associates, who, instead of advancing, rather tended to retard his studies, Wilson retired to the little village of Lochwinnoch, situated in a delightful valley, a few miles from Paisley. In this sequestered place he had before resided; and he now resorted to it, under the pressure of disappointment; and soothed his mind with the employment of letters; and spent his vacant hours. amid the romantic scenery of a country, which was well calculated to captivate one who had devoted himself to the service of the muses.

He also oc

Pantheon,
In this as-

While residing at Lochwinnoch he contributed some short prose essays to the Bee, a periodical work which was published at Edinburgh by Dr. Anderson. Of the merits of these essays I cannot speak, as I have never seen them. casionally visited the latter place, to frequent the wherein a society for debate held their meetings. sembly of minor wits he delivered several poetical discourses, which obtained him considerable applause. The particulars of these literary peregrinations have been minutely related to me; but, at this time, I will merely state, that he always performed his journeys on foot; and that his ardour to obtain distinction. drawing him away from his profession, the only

means of procuring subsistence, he was frequently reduced to the want of the necessaries of life.

Wilson, in common with many, was desirous of becoming personally acquainted with the poet Burns, who was now in the zenith of his glory; and an accidental circumstance brought them together. The interview appeared to be pleasing to both; and they parted with the intention of continuing their acquaintance by a correspondence. But this design, though happily begun, was frustrated by an imprudent act of the former, who, in a criticism on the tale of Tam O'Shanter, remarked of a certain passage that there was "too much of the brute" in it. The paragraph alluded to is that which begins

thus:

"Now Tam, O Tam! had thae been queans."

Burns, in reply, observed: "If ever you write again to so irritable a creature as a poet, I beg you will use a gentler epithet than to say there is too much of the brute in any thing he says or does." Here the correspondence closed.

From Lochwinnoch Wilson returned to Paisley; and again sought subsistence by mechanical labour. But at this period the result of the French revolution had become evident by the wars enkindled on the continent; and their influence on the manufactures of Great Britain, particularly those of Paisley, began to be felt. Revolution principles had also crept in among the artisans, which, superadded to the decline of business, were the means of many being thrown out of stated employment; and the distress of others was not a little aggravated by exactions which it was supposed neither policy nor justice. ought to have dictated. Hence arose a misunderstanding between the manufacturers and the weavers, which soon grew into a controversy, that awakened the zeal of both parties; and Wilson, incited by principle, as well as interest, remained not idle on an occasion which seemed to demand the exercise of his talents for the benefit of the poor and the oppressed.

Among the manufacturers there was one of considerable wealth and influence; who had risen from a low origin by a

concurrence of fortunate circumstances; and who had rendered himself greatly conspicuous by his avarice and knavery. This obnoxious individual was arraigned in a galling satire, written in the Scottish dialect; which is well known to be fertile of terms of sarcasm or reproach. The piece was published anonymously; and, being suited to the taste of the multitude, was read with eagerness. But the subject of it, stung to the quick by the severity of the censure, sought revenge of his concealed enemy, who, through some unforeseen occurrence, was revealed in the person of Wilson. A prosecution for a libel was the consequence of the disclosure; and our satirist was sentenced to a short imprisonment, and to burn, with his own. hands, the poem at the public cross in the town of Paisley. Wilson underwent the sentence of the law, surrounded by his friends, a gallant and numerous band, who viewed him as a martyr to the cause of honour and truth; and who, while his character was exalted in their opinion, failed not to stigmatize that of his adversary in all the bitterness of contempt, The printer, it is said, was fined for his share in the publica

tion.

In the year 1792, Wilson wrote his characteristic tale of "Watty and Meg," the last poem which he composed in Scotland. It was published without a name; and, possessing considerable merit, was, by many, attributed to Burns. This ascription certainly showed a want of discrimination, as this production displays none of those felicities of diction, none of that peculiar intermixture of pathos and humour, which are so conspicuous in the writings of Burns. It has obtained more popularity in Scotland than any of the minor essays of our author; and has been ranked with the best productions of the Scottish

muse.

Cromek, in his sketch of Wilson's life, adverting to the prosecution above mentioned, says, that "the remembrance of this misfortune dwelt upon his mind, and rendered him dissatisfied with his country. Another cause of Wilson's dejection was the rising fame of Burns, and the indifference of the

public to his own productions. He may be said to have envied the Ayrshire bard, and to this envy may be attributed his best production, Watty and Meg,' which he wrote at Edinburgh in 1793 (1792.) He sent it to Nielson, printer, at Paisley, who had suffered by the publication of his former poems. As it was, by the advice of his friends, published anonymously, it was generally ascribed to Burns, and went rapidly through seven or eight editions. Wilson, however, shared no part of the profits, willing to compensate for the former losses his publisher had sustained."*

The sketch above mentioned the author of this narrative showed to Wilson, and the latter told him that the relation was wanting in correctness. He pointedly denied the charge of envying the Ayrshire bard, and felt not a little scandalized at the unworthy imputation. He added, that no one entertained a more exalted idea of Burns's genius, or rejoiced more at his merited success, than himself.

Wilson now began to be dissatisfied with his lot. He was poor, and had no prospect of bettering his condition in his native country. Having heard flattering accounts of America, he conceived the design of emigrating thither, and settling in the United States.

It was some time in the latter part of the year 1793 that the resolution was formed of forsaking the land of his forefathers. His eye having been accidentally directed to a newspaper advertisement, which stated that the American ship Swift would sail from the port of Belfast, in Ireland, on the first of May following, with passengers for Philadelphia, he communicated his scheme, in confidence, to his nephew, William Duncan. then a lad of sixteen, who consented to become his fellow-traveller in the voyage; and an agreement was entered into of departing in the above mentioned ship.

The next subject of consideration was the procuring of funds; and as weaving presented the most eligible plan for this purpose, to the loom Wilson applied himself, for four months,

* Cromek's "Select Scottish Songs," vol. 2, p. 214. London, 1810.

VOL. I.-C

with a diligence and economy almost surpassing belief; the whole of his expenses during this period amounting to less than one shilling per week.

All matters being finally arranged, he set out on foot for Port Patrick, whence he embarked for Ireland. On reaching Belfast it was found that the ship had her complement of passengers; but, rather than remain, after so much exertion, Wilson and his companion consented to sleep upon deck, and, consequently, they were permitted to depart in the ship, which sailed about the middle of May, and arrived at Newcastle, in the state of Delaware, on the fourteenth of July, 1794.

We now behold Alexander Wilson in a strange land; without an acquaintance on whose counsels and hospitality he could rely in that state of uncertainty to which, having no particular object in view, he was of course subjected; without a single letter of introduction; and with not a shilling in his pocket.* But every care was forgotten in his transport at finding himself in the land of freedom. He had often cast a wishful look towards the western hemisphere, and his warm fancy had suggested the idea, that among that people only, who maintained the doctrine of an equality of rights, could political justice be found. He had become indignant at beholding the influence of the wealthy converted into the means of oppression; and had imputed the wrongs and sufferings of the poor, not to the condition of society, but to the nature and constitution of the government. He was now free; and exulted in his release, as a bird rejoices which escapes from the confinement of the cage. Impatient to set his foot upon the soil of the New World, he landed at the town of Newcastle; and, shouldering his fowlingpiece, he directed his steps towards Philadelphia, distant about thirty-three miles. The writer of this biography has a distinct recollection of a conversation with Wilson on this part of his

This is literally true. The money which bore his expenses from Newcastle to Philadelphia was borrowed of a fellow passenger. The same generous friend, whose name was Oliver, made him subsequently a loan of cash to enable him to travel into Virginia.