New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-01-18

Wilson was then but a very little past his
prime, and magnificent specimen Of stalwart
manhood he stood before that intellectual
semblage Imagine, reader, a man, eonsidera-
bly over six feet in height, With frame Of cor
responding proportions His head was superb.
A high well balanced brow was partially sha-
doged by an abundance Of hair, which was
tossed about carelessly over forehead and tenn
ples. and strea1ied down in dishevelled masses
over his shoulders large bushy whiskers Of the
same hue-but a trife gTayer-hanked his
checks, which we're tanned by sun and breeze,
for there never existed greater lover Of out Of
door sports than Wilson, as they who knew him
when he resided at Ellery will attest. And
what remarkable eyes we're his They did not
look al you, but they pierced into you, and shot
| through you. They were so bright and so keen,
as the glances came from beneath the bushy
broBs, that from the position in which he sat,
we could not for the life Of detect their color.
| Two years ago, however, whilst strolling
| through the exhibition rooms Of the Royal Aca-
deny, in London, we came upon portrait of
Wilson, by Sir James Watson Gordon. and there
| they were painted Of Light hazel tint. That
prominent feature. the nose, was large and agui-
line--such a nose as Napoleon would have liked.
The mouth was characteristic Of great energy
but it was an organ which could expand iAto a
| broad grin, as well as compress itself into a
state ofsayage glee, when its owner was dashing
off such an article as that in which he hayed
Bob Tatan Mon gomeryss But there was dignity
about it too. The combined expression Of these
several features greatly reminded Us Of -Audu-
bon, whom in many respects he much resemfled
Add TO this pen sketch of the head and faee-a
pair of broad shoulders, vast chest, and long
muscular arms, indicative of unusual strength
a pair Of lengthy lower extremities, which
might carry their owner over ehasms which few
would dare to leap--and you will have some
idea of John Wilson, the immortal author of the
"a Lights and Shadows of Scottish Llfe;" 1.-The
Isle Of Palms. and the no less Immortal owner
Of 50 The Crutch ''-Christoper North
Wilson's style of lecturing was widely differ.
ent from his style Of writing. You could moi
have recognized the eloquent 60 North " OF thu
9. Noctes Ambrosiana," in the dry lecturer OF
moral philosophy--for dry lecturer he was
Now and then, however, he would kindle anC
blaze up, and then the editor of SO tld Ebony
might present himself He was only truly
great when pen 10 hand and paper before him
: he poured forth his thoughts like food-o,
. when at the social board, he flung philosoph,
+ to the winds, and ratified off an after Dime
E speech Then he was brilliant indeed Coca
sionally, however, he was injudicious in hi
4 remarks, as in the instance of his address at tn
;. Burns Festival, when in the presence Of tn
poets sons, he hereely criticised the folles c
v their wonderful sire. This he speedily regret
J ted-for after the dinner, Wilson, with Williai
q | UOTI-Ihe Nehfei pocu VI Ah'eeoSy 'A7'
. Burns's birth place, and whilst they were SIT
ting on the bed in that sacred room, Wilso
!, expressed fear that he ''had gone too far
- Ioor Thorn. who was half--tarved to deatl
i himself told as this not long before he expire
in want and woe at Dundee.
n Much more could say about wilson-ho
Il he years ago made wordsworth's reputation
never sending forth a Biachtcood without
= llaudatory notice of him. How he patroniz
il. aith pen and purse many needy author-h
es We may not add at present, to this hasty mem
%. raj suffice it to say that he Was great a
cd good mana true poet-a fine philosopher :
n who has done the Estate of Literature gre
nd and lasting service The page Of Magi
nv which may chronicle his death, and perhs
~. furnish his memoir, will be read with mourn
ii, interest wherever Genius and Taste have
No power to cbarm-and who reads not Biat
of icood-that Prince of Periodicals with VIII
rst the imperishable renown of John Wilson v
for ever be assoclated'
fs An OLD CORRESPONDENT
nn January 6, 1858