THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

THE

NATURAL HISTOEY AND ANTIQUITIES

OF

SELBORNE.

SHEEP-FOLD.

THE

NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES

OF

SELBOKNE,

IN THE COUNTY OF SOUTHAMPTON.

BY THE LATE

REV. GILBERT WHITE,

FORMERLY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE, OXFORD.

EDITED BY

THOMAS BELL, F.R.S., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.,

PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY IN KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.

VOLUME II.

CORRESPONDENCE, SERMON, ACCOUNT-BOOK,

GARDEN KALENDAR, ANIMALS AND PLANTS, GEOLOGY,

ROMAN-BRITISH ANTIQUITIES, &c.

LONDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCLXXVll.

'HINTED BY TAYLOll AND F BAN CIS,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

IN VOL. II.

Sheep-fold Half-title

Front View of the Wakes. The small lower
window between the first and second rail-posts
belongs to the room in which the ' Natural
History ' was written Frontispiece

West Portion of the Village, on the road to Newton Page 138

Coffin-lid Page 396

Ecclesiastical Tiles found in Selborne Church . . Page 398

Facsimile page of ' Expenses,1 to show White's
distinct and beautiful autograph /%<> 410

M359244

CORRESPONDENCE

OF

GILBERT WHITE.

VOL. II, B

COEEESPONDEXCE OF GILBEET WHITE.

LETTERS TO HIS BEOTHER

THE

REV. JOHN WHITE,

LETTER I.*

Selborne, May 26, 1770.
DEAR BROTHER,

I AM to acknowledge first the receipt of your kind letter of
February 19, which I should have answered before now, had
I not waited for your box of curiosities ; concerning which
you would naturally expect I should give some account.
Farther obligations are now due for a second letter of April
14 : but though I have not yet received the box, I must no
longer omit to take notice of your agreeable communications.
It is probable the box may be in London : but I have lately
intimated that I would not wash to have it sent down at
present, as I hope to be in town as soon as Whitsuntide is
over.

Your Vesper with purple wings are a beautiful and scarce
species : they are the Vespce crabroni congener es in Italia captce
of Mr. Willughby, well described in Kay's His. Insectorum,

* [The first and second letters were written when his brother was
Chaplain at Gibraltar.— T. B.]

B 2

4 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

p. 250. Pray observe what they feed on ; and enquire into
their manner of nidification. Your butterfly-like insect with
long remiform wings is curious and rare, and proves to be
the Panorpa coa Lin.: you see it is to be found in few places;
and Scopoli knows nothing of it, though Camiola lies in a
warm latitude. Send some more specimens. Pray observe
how and where they breed. I suspect much that they come
from the water, where they perhaps are hatched like the
Ephemera; (may flies) and the Phryganece (cadews).

Here it will be proper to remark that Lin. is too general in
some of his assertions : too many exceptions occur under his
general rules : as you must have already observed in the
course of your reading the Syst. Nat.

You will be pleased to observe whether your ant-catching
Sphex (for a Sphex I certainly think it was, though we soon
lost our single small specimen) does not carry it's prey to it's
nest in order to feed it's maggots : in and with what sub-
stance does it make it's nest? I have named it Sphex formi-
carumfalco.

The insect with a long slender petiolus between the thorax
and abdomen is a fine sort of Ichneumon.

Look after the genus of birds called Petrels ; they are very
peculiar in their way of life, and are in the Atlantic ; perhaps
may enter the Streights.

I am glad you begin to relish Linn. : there is nothing to
be done in the wide boundless field of Nat. Hist, without
system. Now you are master of the or dines, you must attend
to the genera, and make yourself well acquainted with the
terms. Study well the introductions to the classes, and see
how the terms are explained.

Look still for the Myrmeleon (lion pismire) Syst. Nat. p. 913.
It has jaws like a wasp ; 4 pretty long palpi (feelers), no stem-
mata ; pimples like crowns on it's head ; antennce clavatce \ \
Andalusia, I should think, must produce it.

Your embassy to Morocco, when well drawn up, will make
a good chapter in your History. Did you make no remarks
on the country ? You are to remember that you will want
an abundance of matter to fill up 200 or 300 pages : and no

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 5

publication will make a respectable appearance unless you
can swell it to somewhat of such a bulk.

What sorts of Land-tortoises do you find? when do they
come forth, and when do they hide * ?

Have you no stone-curlews ( Chargdrius cedicnemus) ? they
certainly leave us for some of the dead months of winter.

You will, I hope, settle that curious article concerning your
winter-martin f. In your letter erf November last you seemed
to be puzzled, and say " that the winter-martins begin to
appear in a different dress : they are blacker on the back, and
whiter under the belly than last winter : " and " that you
suspect they are the real summer martins now undergoing
a change of colour, and possibly intending to winter here in
a browner habit." And yet in your letter of April 14 you
only say in general, <l that you saw (March 23) swallows,
martins, and your brown winter-martins all flying together."
This most curious article of all your intelligence will not, I
hope, remain dubious, and unsettled.

Sure you must mistake when you say in your Journal,
April 15th, 1769, "that the vines, though their shoots are but
(1 or 8 inches long, have a good many grapes set." Do you
not mistake the buds of bloom for fruit? Vines are late
blowers in most climates : they show the rudiments of bloom
with us in April ; but do not blow 'til about July 1 : 'til the
shoots are two or three feet long. When in bloom they smell
sweetly. Are not some of your foxes jackalls (Lupus
aureus) ? that animal wants to be better described.

Don't be too hasty in pronouncing any species a nonde-
script.

Scopoli is very ingenious : he is publishing on birds.

Mr. IVnnant has heard of your pursuits, and desires to pro-
mote them. As to fishes, he says you must get Briinnich's
history of those of Marseilles ; and Gouan on fish : the last
lives at Montpellier. Can't you contrive to correspond with
him ? He has written to Mr. Pennant. He expects the

* [The only species likely to be found in North Africa are Testudo
mauritanica and T. tnarymota, — T. B.]

t \_IIirundo rttpcatris; see next page. — A. N.]

6 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

birds and fishes of Leghorn and Naples soon, and is ready to
communicate them.

Mineralogy must not be neglected.

In order to assist your enquiries Mr. Pennant sends you a
list of such animals as are known to belong to the southern
parts of Europe.

Your wine proves very sound and good.

LETTER II.

Selborne, Jan. 25, 1771.
DEAR BROTHER,

I RECEIVED your kind letter of October 19, and wrote you an
answer on November 6. I should have been very glad to
have seen Mr. Twisse : he just came to London, called on
Bro. Ben, and set out for Gibraltar again. No. five is Ray's
JuncOj and the Turdus arundinaceus of Lin.* The Merula
passer solitaries of Ray is said to be a fine songster, and is
supposed to be the bird mentioned Psalm cii. 7 f. Your winter
swallow is undoubtedly the Hirundo rupestris of Scopoli: you
however will have the credit of discovering it's winter quarters.
Brisson mentions a tridactyl quail % from Madagascar : he
calls it " Perdix inferne cinerea, superne e cinereo rufo, &
nigro variegata, gutture & collo inferiore nigris ; coturnici
nostrati paululum crassitie cedens" His ' Ornithology' is ex-

* [See note to p. 9.— A. N.]

t [The Rock-Thrush, Monticola cyanus of modern ornithologists. — A.N.]
J [This seems to show that John White had met with the " Gibraltar
Quail," which was first described by Latham (Gen. Synops. ii. p. 790)
from a specimen in the Leverian Museum. At the same time he also
described (torn. cit. p. 791) the "Andalusian Quail," though that had
previously been mentioned by Shaw (Trav. p. 300), and both are now
known to be specifically identical. A few years afterwards Desfontaines
described and figured the species (Mem. de 1'Acad. des Scien. 1787, p. 500)
as Tetrao sylvaticus ; and it is the Turnix sylvatica of modern ornithologists.
The type of Latham's " Gibraltar Quail " passed at the sale of the Leverian
Museum to that of Vienna, but, says Herr von Pelzeln (Ibis, 1873, p. 36),
(i is no longer in the collection." — A. N.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 7

travngantly dear ; 7 or 8 guineas. Geoffrey will set you
right by means of his cuts in many genera of insects.

The motto from the Odyssey, Book iv. 566, is a description
of the Elysian fields, and will suit the climate of Andalusia
well.

On vi(peTos, our' ap' xftfJLMV TTO\VS, OVTC nor opSpos*
AXX' aiei Zv<pvpoio \iyvTrvfiovras arjras
Qiceavof avirjo'iv, ava^v^av avOpanns.

Stern winter smiles on that auspicious clime ;
The fields are florid with unfading prime :
From the bleak pole no winds inclement blow,
Mould the round hail, or flake the fleecy snow ;
But from the breezy deep the blest inhale
The fragrant murmurs of the western gale.

The prose motto is perfectly suitable to your present situa-
tion, and prophetic of your undertaking.

" Certe si aliquis naturae consultus in maxime australi Hispania aves
observaret, quando accedant aut recedant austrum et septentrionem
versus, notatis scilicet diebus mensis et speciebus ; res haec adeo obscura
brevi maxime illustraretur." — Amcenitates Academics, Lin. vol. iv.

Now Mr. Twisse is returned, be sure get his conjectures on
the currents of the Streights : you will want dissertations for
your work. Your embassy to the Emp. of Morocco with a
description of his person, manners, troops, &c. will make a
very good chapter. Have you not in Spain some crown-
flocks of sheep which migrate with the seasons from N. to S.
Get some anecdotes of them. Mr. Pennant makes his artist
take all your most curious birds ; and promises the drawings
shall be forthcoming if wanted to engrave from. Describe
the VultuT percnopt. most minutely, and learn if you have an
opportunity the difference of the sexes. Get the skin of the
Lupus aureus from Barbary, and describe it well. Scopoli's
new Hirundo alpina is nothing, I think, but the Hirundo
melba, which is indeed a noble swift: get all the anecdotes
you can about them. Write to Scopoli, he is very clever :
but ask him as gravely as you can how he is sure that the
woodcock, when pursued, carries off her young in her bill.
I have just sent your cargo, which I received in August, to
Mr. Pennant : but as to your collection shipped in October, I

8 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

have never seen it yet ; for brother Thomas writes word that it
has been performing quarantine in Stangate-creek. Just as
I had penned the last sentence a letter arrived from brother
Tho. informing me that the box was got safe to his house ;
which is good news : for I was in pain for the curiosities and
Jack's shirts. When the Mantis casts his skin he is in his
pupa state, and advancing to perfection by casting aside
those exuviae. Scopoli's icones will probably disappoint you ;
Linnseus's engravings of insects are miserable : Geoffrey's
are the best I have seen. The bird you call a Parus (if it be
not the common black-cap) is a nondescript : if it should
prove new, call it Motacilla atricapilloides : Mr. Pennant
thinks it a new bird *. Your purple-winged Vespa is no doubt
the Crabroni congener Baji ; and if you can find that it has
" thorax ad latera postice utrinque dente notatus," I shall
acknowledge it to be the Sphex Helens Linn. I am sending
all your insects to nephew Ben. White in town, and shall get
Mr. Lee the botanist of Hammersmith to inspect and ascertain
them, because he is the best entomologist that I know. The
reason that Linn, mentions so many insects from Barbary is,
because Mr. Brander the Swedish Consul at Algiers sent him
vast collections. In the little box which you sent me with
the sliding lid are two species of Myrmeleones. Geoffrey
seems to have a good cut of one. You will now be able to
measure the rain of your climate : the mean quantity per
ann. in Rutland is 20f inches. Learn as much as possible
the manners of animals; they are worth a ream of descriptions.
You must produce some ingenious dissertations to entertain
the unsystematic reader. What do the Panorpce. coce do with
their long remiform wings ? Frequent your markets, and
see what birds are offered to sale. Get some account of the
prickly heat, or fever, and the exact height of your mountain.

* [Mr. Pennant seems to have been quite right. The bird was most
likely that which is now known as Sylvia melanocephala, and was first
described in 1776 by Oetti, who found it in Sardinia (Uccelli di Sard.
p. 218), but did not receive a name till Gmelin gave it one. If John
White's specimen, as his others appear to have been, was deposited in
the Leverian Museum, it must have been overlooked by Latham. — A. N.]

THE REV. JOIIX WHITE. 9

It seems to me no doubt that your Motacilla No. 5 is the Junco
of Ray ; but he does not seem to be so exact as usual, and
talks of a stiff tail, and omits mentioning the white and black
bars at the end of it's tail *. It will be worth our while to find
out Mr. Moore the botanist, or his representatives ; and to
endeavour to procure his flora of your district.

Ray does not take notice that the thighs of the Merops are
naked.

I had written thus far when your curious box of birds
shipped in October, and Jack's shirts and sweetmeats arrived :
the insects were left in town for the reason above mentioned.
Your kind letter of December 9 came the same day. Geoffroy
no doubt is too verbose; so are all his countrymen. Mr. Pen-
nant makes sad complaint of Gouan's book of fishes, and of
the obscurity of the Labrus and Sparus genera. Dr. Shaw's
Natural part of his travels is said to be good.

You will do well to have two columns of thermometer
observations, especially as 1769 and 1770 were both on the
extremes. As matter flows in upon me I begin to think of
composing a Natural History of Selborne in the form of a
journal for 1769; we shall then be able to compare the cli-
mates. You mention the great eagle owl, and send me, I
think, a wing and claw of that majestic bird; and yet you
call it Striae otus; sure you mean Strix lulo: the otus is our
common horned owl. I see none of your plants ; perhaps
they are lost : the sweet-smelling clammy shrub must be, I
suppose, a cistus ; has it not a single, rose-like, fugacious
flower ? You have classed all your last fine cargo of birds
so justly that there is 110 room for objection; where you
doubt, I doubt, though I think there is little room to doubt
about the Alauda cristata; but the pair of birds (if they are a

* [-This statement of White's proves that this bird (already mentioned
p. (!) wiis not the Junco of Hay, which is the Great Reed- Warbler
(Acrocep/i«/uH anuulinnccus) ; but it is doubtless the Heed-Thrush, var. A,
of Latham (Gen. Synops. ii. p. 33), who described a specimen from
Gibraltar in the Leverian Museum — most likely the very one sent by
John White. The species did not receive a name till 1820, and is the
Awlon (jalactodes of modern ornithologists. See Yarrell, 'Brit. Birds,'
Ed. 4, i. p. 355.— A. N.]

10 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

pair) which, I suppose, you call Alauda non-cristata, seem
rather some species of the genus Motacilla *. Get the Pratin-
cola when you can. At present I am a stranger to your
(Enantl\e\. The Oriolus galbula must be a fine bird when in
perfection. Your barometer fluctuates much more than I
could have expected in so low a latitude and warm a climate :
in the tropics it hardly varies at all. Your last quail seems
to be a male, the former a female. You will pardon the
didactic air of my letters, which in bur present way of corre-
spondence is perhaps unavoidable. The wing of the Strix
bubo is " remigibus primoribus serratis :" had Linn, remarked
that, he would not have made that a specific difference to his
Stria aluco%. See Fauna Suec. p. 25.

I am, &c. &c.

LETTER III. §

Selborne, June 17 [1773].
DEAR BROTHER,

As you knew that the measles obtained very much in this
village, you could not much wonder if you were to hear that

* [It would, of course, be useless to attempt any identification of these
birds.— A. N.]

t [Besides our common Saxicola cenanthe, three other species of Wheat-
ear, according to Col. Irby (* Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar,'
p. 79), frequent the Rock. It would, of course, be impossible to say which
of them John White's bird was j but Latham gives Gibraltar as a locality
for that which he calls the Russet Wheatear, and described a specimen
in the Leverian Museum. This is S. stapazina. — A. N.]

% [Herein White seems to have fallen into the error of supposing that
each particular feature included in the diagnosis given of a species by
Linnseus needs be peculiar thereto. On the contrary it is the aggregate
of these features that forms a specific character ; and by naming certain
other features Linnasus sufficiently guarded himself from such a mistake
as is imputed to him in the text. As to what his 8. aluco may have
been, see < Ibis,' 1876, pp. 101, 102.— A. N.]

§ [This and the following letters were written after John White's return
to England, which took place in May 1773. — T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 11

your son had got them ; but you will be agreeably surprised
to be informed that he has had them, and got up this morning
for the first time. He drooped a little on Saturday and
Sunday, and went to bed on Monday, where he lay 'til this
morning without any cough, or fever, or any bad symptom at
all. Thomas lay in the little bed by him to help him to balm
tea, &c. in the night ; but last night he slept without taking
any thing at all. Tomorrow he takes physic. Mr. Budd and
Mr. Webb (who both came to neighbours) called in and said
he was in a fine way. Jack has behaved like a philosopher all
through, submitting to his confinement without reluctance or
murmuring. In general the neighbourhood has been severely
handled by this disorder ; and poor Nanny Woods had such a
fever afterwards, and was so reduced, that I thought we should
have lost her • she is still so weak as not to be able to walk.
Give my respects to my sister, whom I congratulate on this
event. I will write again in about a week.

I am not sure yet that I shall be able to procure timber for
mv now building.

Your affectionate brother,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER IV.

Selborne, June 26 [1773].
DEAR BROTHER,

YOUR favour of the 17th reached me Wednesday ; and about
the same time, I presume, you received my account about
Jack's measles. My nephew continues perfectly well, and has
not, through the distemper nor since, had the least cough.
From the time that he came home he had somewhat of an
hoarseness in his voice, which I took at first to be a cold ; but,
upon considering the matter, it is owing no doubt to a cause
incident to young men about his time of life.

It pleases me much to find that you have heard the sibilous,
or shivering wren, since you know all the species ; and that

12 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

you have heard the sedge-bird, which for variety of notes, and
swift transitions from the song of one bird to that of another
is, I think, a wonderful fellow ; and was it not for the
hurrying manner, would be an elegant warbler. It is plain
Mr. Lever knows nothing of the grasshopper-lark ; if he did
he could not confound it with the sedge-bird, to which it bears
not the least resemblance, either in person, song, or manner
of life. Did the shivering wren make its noise in the tops of
tall trees? Mr. Lever is, I perceive, a very adroit natural
naturalist ; it is therefore pity he does not allow himself the
advantage of books, and call in the assistance of system.

The sedge-bird sings all night when it is awake; therefore
when you throw stones or dirt into the bushes you rouse it
from its slumbers, and set it to work again.

You will be very busy, no doubt, in your repairs ; and will
meet, I hope, with no disappointments. I thought a fortnight
ago that I wras going to build a chamber full speed. I had
bespoke a mason in the room of Long, who was pre-engaged ;
and Jack was to have been comptroller general of my majesty's
works; but just as I was going to lay in all materials my
mason sent me word he had got another job, and could not
do mine 'til after harvest.

For these three days past we have had the king at Ports-
mouth ; and heard continual firing, which shook my house.
My st. foin is down ; but the weather is unsettled. Mr.
Lever has procured the canne petiere * in Lancashire ; Mr.
Pennant mentions one shot in Cornwall. Some boys killed
lately at Oakh anger-ponds some flappers or young wild-ducks;
among the rest they took some young teals f alive; one I saw,
and turned into James Knight's ponds. Till now I never
knew that teals bred in England. So you see information
crowds in every day.

Was not the sibilous bird that you heard the real grass-
hopper-lark ? did it haunt the tops of the tallest trees, or low
bush-hedges ? did it sing by night or by day ? Many children
continue to die of the measles, amongst the rest the youngest

* [Otis tetrax, Linn.— T. B.]
t [Anas crecca. — T. B.]

THE 11EV. JOHN WHITE. 13

of Mrs. Halo's this morning ; and the whooping cough rather
gets worse than better. Poor Nanny Wood's cough is very
bad; and she is very weak and mends very slowly. Mr.
Knight of Street House is dead. With respects to my sister
I remain,

Your affectionate and obliged brother,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER V.

Selborne, Aug. 2, 1773.
DEAR BROTHER,

I FIND you still, as well as when you resided on the other
side of the Pyrenean mountains, my most steady and com-
municative correspondent ; and therefore it will be my own
fault if our epistolary intercourse should languish.

Jack* behaves very well and is very obliging, and, in his
readiness to assist and put an helping hand, often puts me in
mind of a gentlewoman that is very nearly related to him f.
o\Ir. and Mrs. Etty take a great deal of notice of him, and
have him to dine every Sunday J.

No doubt your wren that you saw was the shivering wren.
So Mr. Lever does not know the grasshopper lark ; that is
plain : but as it has done whispering there will be no procu-
ring one till next season. He seems also to be unacquainted
with the laughing sort. If you were to recollect, you would
call to mind that my letters to Mr. Pennant are full of accounts
of the sedge-bird. It was by my means that that bird, when
omitted totally in the Zool. was inserted in the Appendix.
Mr. P. had seen it in Lincolnshire, but did not at all know
what to make of it, nor how to ascertain it. He was misled

* [Now aged 15.— T. B.]

t [Alluding to Jack's mother, who, after her husband's death, resided
with Gilbert White. See Memoir.— T. B.]

| [Gilbert White, being at this time curate of Faringdon, of course
did not dine at Selborne on Sundays. The Rev. Andrew Etty was vicar
of Selborne at that time.— T. B.]

14 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

by Ray's classing it among the " Picis affines" Your appel-
lative of polyglott pleases me so much that I shall adopt it.
It has the notes of many birds ; and could it be persuaded not
to sing in such a hurry, it would be an elegant songster.
They abound with us, especially on the verge of the forest,
and are sometimes at James Knight's ponds — in short, wher-
ever there are pools or streams.

Mr. Lever may very probably be right with respect to the
short-eared owl. I have always suspected that Mr. S.'s tawny
owl and brown owl were only different sexes of the same species.
I am sorry that you met with such a rebuff at Midsummer, such
a cold and dreary summer solstice ; for if these things be done
in the green tree, what will be done in the dry ? Indeed we
had at that season cold, wet, black weather ; but from July 7th
to this time have enjoyed the most lovely season that ever was
seen, both as to sun for our hay, and, since, soft showers for
our meadows, gardens and turnips. I have a prospect of a
very fine crop of grapes on the walls of my house. Pray
revise your journal without loss of time. The wind was very
far from being constantly N. with us for a month before
you wrote ; it was very much so indeed from June 27th to
July 3rd inclusive, but the week before was all S.W. to a
day; but then again from June 13th to the 19th it was pretty
much JST.E. and N.W. at different ends of the week.

I shall write to Mr. Twisse soon and repeat my invitation.

From the time that the widow returned from her bathing
in the sea, she began to be less cruel ; and last week she con-
sented to make Mr. Webb happy. They kept their wedding
at Newton. Mr. Y[alden] was so delighted with the event,
that he made verses on it, the strangest verses you ever saw.
He made also a copy on his new alcove ; they are alexandrines
and wonderfully unwieldy ; and very much like those before
' Pilgrim's Progress.' It is a pity that so worthy a man should
be troubled with such an infirmity * !

The story of the aurora is all contradicted. It is a pity that
you can't hear from Linnseus. You had better write again.

* [I have seen these lines ; it is almost a libel on Banyan to compare
them with his, grotesque as they are.— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 15

Some boys went to hunt flappers (young wild ducks) last
month in the forest: among the ducks they caught SOUK 5
minute wild fowls alive. I examined them, and found them
to be young teals, but never had supposed that teals ever
bred in our parts till now. I redeemed one and turned it
into J. Knight's ponds.

Thomas Corston has brought Berriman a certificate of his
marriage with Mary Gregory in the church of St. George's,
Hanover Square, February 1771. The extract was taken
April 24, 1773. It is on a 5s. stamp and looks as if it were
genuine. Corston has called since.

This evening I expect from Fyfield brother Thomas and
master Brocket, and brother Henry and Tho. Holt White :
the two former are on their way to London. When did you
get into your house ? Jack joins in respects.

Your affec. brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Brother Harry was told in Oxford that Linnaeus was cer-
tainly dead*.

Harvest does not begin 'til next week.

LETTER VI.

Selborne, Sept. 11, 1773.
DEAR BROTHER,

YOUR last letter but one, and my last letter, crossed, I believe,
on the road. I am now to thank you for your frank of
August 25.

As to Jack he is no trouble or inconvenience to me, but of
real use; and therefore I desire he may stay as long as ever
you can spare him. Moreover I wish you and my sister,

* [This was a false report. Linnaeus died January 8, 1778, aged 71.
Five out of the six letters from John White to Linnaeus were written
nflor the return of the former to England. The last is dated October,
1774— T.B.]

16 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

while your house drys, would come and spend one more
winter with me. You might put in an elderly, grave person
for that period to make fires, and take care of your goods,
and defer the hiring of servants 'til spring. I will endeavour
to do everything to make the winter as easy to you as pos-
sible ; you shall have a bed put up in the drawing-room, and
a grate where you shall have a constant fire, by which you
may instruct your son, and fabricate your Fauna. As my
sister, I know by agreeable experience, is of an active dispo-
sition, she shall, if she please, manage my house, and see to
provisions ; and we shall, if it please God to bless us with
health, pass the dead season of the year in no uncomfortable
way; and at the season of spring I will let you depart in
peace, and will follow you in the summer into Lancashire.
All this proposal is the result of a sincere intention; and there-
fore I hope you will think of it in earnest, and not let the
consideration of a long coach journey (which is not so for-
midable to you as to some others) prevent the comfort and
satisfaction I propose from such an undertaking. When you
write again I hope to discover that you have considered this
matter, and will be so kind as to think of putting it into exe-
cution.

Mr. Derham in his e Physico-theol.' incidentally mentions
Dr. Leigh's ' Natural History of Lancashire,' which perhaps
Mr. Lever has got, and you shall see. If I err about the
Mot. ficedula, I err in good company ; for your bird is indis-
putably the bird that Lin. means by Mot.f.\ and yet he all
the while acknowledges that it has " mandibula superior utrin-
que emarginata, et latere vibrissata," which are the charac-
teristics of a Muscicapa. In Edwards there are cuts of the
male and female. As to myself, I can't help thinking that
your bird is of a plumper and shorter habit than the cock
goldfinch with a white forehead ; besides you sent many like
the cocks that had no white in their foreheads. Mr. Shaw I
see is preferred. I am glad he continues to send you new
birds. The lark-like bird may probably be as you say.

From August 9 to 14 inclusive was most wonderfully hot.
My thermometer on the 13th was up to 78^° : oh that day in

TIIE EEV. JOHN WHITE. 17

the evening came a violent thunderstorm, which about London
did great damage. Jack and I were all that week at Mr.
Mulso's at Meonstoke. In the night between the 18th and
1 9th of August there was a violent thunderstorm from the
north, which damaged all our hops to a great degree, and
particularly Sir S. Stuart's, which were very fine. Hops will
be dear and bad.

Mrs. W. Isaac is with me at present. She brought her
son Bap, that he might stand for a scholarship of Winton
College: we went this week and left him with the usher,
where he is to continue as a commoner 'til taken into college.

My wall has produced about 10 dozen of most lovely
peaches and nectarines ; and I have a fine show of grapes.

I have written to Mr, Twrisse and invited him to come ; but
he says he cannot possibly be spared from the fortifications
'til winter.

Swifts left us about the hot week. Young martins con-
tinue to come out daily.

Mr. Etty's Portugal brother is here at present. How can
Mr. Curtis* leave his shop, and go to Gibraltar in pursuit of
natural history ?

Jack makes English themes and writes letters. We have
gone through Phaed. and now read Virgil's Georg. and
Sallust,

Mr. Lever, I find, is an excellent ornithologist. If we are
to correspond, who is to break the ice? and on what subjects
are we to exchange thoughts? He will, I hope, study system.

We have now a very wet and windy season, a sad time for
barley-harvest and hop-picking. Most of our wheat was
housed in very nice order.

I have some hopes of seeing Skinner soon.

Mrs. Isaac and niece Molly White, who came with her, join
in respects.

Your affect, brother,

GIL. WHITE.

* [The well-known nurseryman and botanist, author of the magnifi-
cent ' Flora Londinensis ' and of l Lectures on Botany/ in three volumes.
— T. B.]

VOL. II. C

18 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

LETTER VII.

Selborne, Nov. 2 [1773].

I CANNOT deny that I did receive your letter while at Oxford;
but then my short time was so totally taken up with the
accounts, and the common room, and a little visiting, that I
never had the resolution to sit down to a regular letter.

Just before I came away, Skinner came up from a twelve-
month's sojourning at Brecknock to a regular residence in
college : he made me dine and sup and spend the whole day
with him, and is the same chatty, communicative, intelligent,
gouty, indolent mortal that he used to be. Moreover he had
written me a long letter ! just before I saw him ; which
arrived at Selborne some posts after I got home. He is now
first oars with regard to college preferment ; and provided
Dr. Patten should die (who is in a very dangerous way), he
will succeed to a living of more than £400 per annum.

Jack did not go with me to college; for I well knew that if
he had I could not have been with him one tenth of the time;
however by means of his old friends at the Vicarage and at
Newton he was left very little with the servants. We are to
set out on Monday next on a visit to Eingmer; and nep. Pen.
who is visiting with his father and mother and sisters, is to
accompany us. We intend to stay two Sundays. Last week
I began taking away the earth of my grass plot and walk at
my garden door, so as to destroy the two steps^ and to level
the ground quite on to the alcove. We were much inter-
rupted at first by rain, but now go on swimmingly. When
completed the job will be tanti; and the nuisance of two
slippery steps removed.

And now as to my visit into Lancashire : I am very desi-
rous, as indeed I ought, to make you a visit. But this cannot
be brought about 'til after Christmas ; for in the first place
our journey to Sussex will take up half the space between
this and that, and in the next place I am hampered with a
breaking tenant at Greatham whom I want to remove before

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 10

I leave these parts. And by Christmas, I fear, the severe
weather will much impede our expedition, which will be a
sort of migration reversed, to the north instead of the south.
However, if it please God to enable me, I hope to get to
you some time in January. I rejoice to hear that you have
at last got possession of your house ; and indeed, was I ready
now, some time would be needful for you to settle a little
before any visitors came upon you.

It is pleasant to hear that the spirit of natural enquiring sub-
sists still at Gibraltar. There is a muscle, perhaps your dactyl*,
that gets into the cliffs on the coasts of Sussex, and terebrates
the chalk in a most curious manner. You saw, I think, a
piece of chalk so bored at my house. I have received a most
violent complimenting letter from Mr. Pennant lately. He is
going to publish a second edition of e Brit. Zool.,' and is to do
wonders with the information extracted from my letters. I shall
take the opportunity of laying before him the more glaring
faults in the first edition*. Ice this morning. My grapes are
now delicate. Pray write while I am at Ringmer. Jack joins
in respects to my sister and yourself. Ring-ouzels in plenty
this last September.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER YIII.

Ringmer, Dec. 9, 1773.
DEAR BROTHER,

JACK and I arrived here on Thursday, December 2nd, and
found that your letter of November llth had waited for us for
more than a fortnight. We were very agreeably surprized to
find Mrs. Snooke f so much recovered after so great a plunge.
She is cheerful and chatty, free from pain, and able to walk

* [Pholas dactylus.—T. B.]

t [Mrs. Snooke, Gilbert White's cousin, the owner of Timothy the
tortoise.— T. B.]

c2

20 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

to all parts of her house without a stick, rides out in her
chaise, and is, for her great age, an extraordinary woman.

In my last, as I wrote on a sunny day, I mentioned that
my levelling work went on swimmingly; but there came
immediately upon me a glut of wet for many weeks that
spoiled my metaphor, and drowned and floated all my works
and sadly embarrassed our operations in the clay, which was
all converted to mud and mire. Before we could dig we
were obliged to lade. However, by perseverance, in five
weeks instead of twelve days I finished my job ; which has a
very good effect, though neither the turf nor the pavement
can be expected to lie quite so smooth and regular as if all
had been moved in dry weather. The ground came out to
nothing on an hanging level on the grass plot short of the
mulberry-tree, and in the broad walk midway between the
farther wicket and the alcove on a dead level. I apprehend
no harm from the borders ; they will be lowered. We went
20 inches deep at the entrance of the long walk. My back
front looks higher and better.

I am sorry you have improved your parlor 'till it smokes ;
it is a common case ; but you must exert all your mechanic
powers to remove so sad a nuisance.

My horse Miller is very lame, and could not come ; as Jack
was trotting him in the north field he trod on an old track
and strained his knee in a wonderful manner. However, his
old friend Mr. Etty has lent Jack his poney, that carries
him well. The tortoise went under the ground about Novem-
ber 20, came out again for one day December 3, and now
lies in a swamp border in mud and mire !

My letters to. Mr. Barrington swell very fast. He has en-
gaged me in the monography of the swallow genus. I have
dispatched the house martin ; and my letter is to be read
before the R. S. I wish I knew a little more about the
lank martin. Does Mr. Lever know anything about the
bank martin that can be depended on ?

Harry's little folks, all but Har. Woods, are down with the
whooping cough. While brother Ben and family were at
Newton, Mrs. Pain discovered at London that James White

THE KEY. JOHN WHITE. 21

had got a cataract or film in one of his eyes. Brother Harry
is going to have a West-Indian boy at £100 per annum. If
Mr. H. Woods could be prevailed on to take an apprentice,
he would be the best master I know, as he is always at
home : but brother B. asked him the question with respect to
Edm. ; but he has never returned any answer. Jack is taller
somewhat than Mr. Yalden, and grows large in his limbs.
Poor Mr. John Warnford of C.C.C. is, I see, just dead, and his
lecture disposed of. If he had a college living, as I take for
granted he had, then there is a parsonage at Skinner's option.
I fear Mr. W. has left a widow. Easter I find comes this
year very early, and will cruelly intersect the spring, as I
must attend an election at Oriel in Easter week. If you
don't make haste I shall publish before you. All friends join
in proper respects.

Your affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER IX.

Selborae, Jan. ]2, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

As I make no manner of doubt but that your many kind and
repeated invitations were very sincere, you will, I fear, feel
a little disappointed when you come to find the purport of
this letter. But I desire you would hear what I have to say
before you condemn me.

I wrote to Mr. Roman * signifying a desire of being set at
liberty from his cure, and fixing a day. He returned me a
very handsome friendly answer, in which he wished me still
to continue ; and as he understood a desire to visit distant
friends made me uneasy under restraint, he was ready at once
to advance my salary to £50 per annum : hoping that sum
would enable me to procure assistance from Oxon or else-
whoro whenever I wanted to take a long journey.

* [Whose curate he was at Faringdon. — T. B.J

22 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

This proposal concurring, as you know, with my constant
wish of reserving an employ to return to, has at present put a
stop to my N. expedition, and has put me upon trying every
expedient for procuring a substitute by writing to J. Mulso,
Bro. H.; — Skinner, &c. &c. What I could wish is to be at
liberty after Easter to visit you from Oxon. For I must not
pretend so totally to disregard College concerns as purposely,
and in good health, to decline appearing at an election.

For my own feelings, I often wish myself with you, and
make many comparisons between this and the last winter, not
much to the advantage of the present. Last winter I look
back upon as one of the most pleasant of my life, when I had
my friends about me in a family way, and enjoyed the
conversation of relations from whom I had been parted so
long. When I do come to see you, you may depend on it I
should wish to make you a good long visit, besides the stay
that I must make in Rutland. As to Jack, I should wish to
have him stay as long as ever you and his mother can spare
him. He does not altogether lose his time, because he con-
strues and translates, or looks over maps, or writes letters every
day. He has read all the three volumes of the i Spectator '
through with that relish that shewed he understood them;
and is much pleased with Derham's e Physico-theology,' and is
now embarked in Brydone's and Sir W. Hamilton's Letters,
in which I make him refer all the way to maps. J. and I
want to go to Fyfield soon; and therefore wish to know from
my sister whether he has had^the whooping cough, which all
Harry's boys labor under at present.

My monography on the house-martin is finished, and in the
hands of Mr. Barrington, who is so much prejudiced in its
favour, that he proposes soon to have it read before the E.
Society. Another on the house-swallow is nearly completed ;
from which I propose to proceed to the rest of the British
Hirundines. Can Lever send us any authentic remarks ? Pray
tell me over again the story of the swallow building on the
dead owl's wings, and on the coach, &c. : I think I could
make a good use of it. The barometer is very irregular of
late ; we have now this day hard frost with the mercury at

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 23

29*22 ; and our last frost (which lasted from the 30th of
December till January 5th inclusive) began with the baro-
meter at 29'4. All last Saturday afternoon and night, and
all Sunday there was a most extraordinary rain from the N.
which perhaps was snow northward. Mr. and Mrs. Y. were
here and stayed all Saturday night. On Sunday there was
such a flood down at the Pond, that Thomas and I were over
the calves of our legs before we got to Peter WehVs ; where
we were told that if we proceeded any further our horses
would swim. So we returned back; and the rain followed
on so the whole day, that I omitted going to my church at all,
the first time for weather since I have undertaken Faringdon
cure. People tell me they have known as big a flood, but
never one that lasted so long. On Sunday evening it snowed,
and then froze hard. Pray tell me a little about your frosts,
and weather ; what birds do you see ? Wild geese, I suppose :
have you any wagtails in winter ? and what other small birds ?
You will enliven, I hope, your fauna with some dissertations
and an agreeable journal, and some comparisons between the
climates, &c. of And[alusia] and Great Britain. Poor old
Miller is very lame still. Pray write soon. Jack joins in best
respects.

Yours aff.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER X.

Selborne, Feb. 4, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

BY your writing so very quickly, your last letter arrived
much sooner than I could have expected. Since I wrote to
you I have talked to Mr. Robinson the curate of Colmer; and
he informs me that he has not the least doubt but at the end
of the summer he shall be able to take my cure off my hands
for some considerable time by the following means. The
owner of Colmer living, a young man in the N. is, it seems,
to take orders this summer, and to supply his own church.

24 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

This event will remove Robinson to East Tisted, from whence
he can with ease undertake the full duty of Faringdon, and
will be glad of the emolument, having a large family. You
and my sister will therefore excuse me until October, I hope,
when I shall, God willing, wait on you with great pleasure.
Instead of your making excuses to me, I ought to make many
to you for detaining your son so long : but, if you can under-
go so much self denial, I should wish you could now spare
him until autumn, when we will come down together. He is
now of real service to me, a companion in my solitude. We
shall ride down to Fyfield soon ; and in March I shall carry
him to London. It would be cheaper as well as pleasanter for
me to travel this summer than to stay at home, because I
seem to be in danger of building. But if I do not stay at this
place in the summer, when can I think to enjoy it ? and was
I at liberty now, Easter would cruelly intersect my time, and
spoil all. Lever is a generous man, and is of great service to
you by lending you all his books: I hope Mr. P. will bethink
himself, and wipe off all the imputation of selfishness that he
lies under. Mr. Budd has just given his fine harpsichord to
Bro. Harry. Your weather and ours accord very much. A
neighbour carries this to London. So I am, in some haste,

Your affect. Bro.

GIL. WHITE.
Jack joins &c.

Berriman has paid Th. Gorston the money ordered : I got
a bond paper; but not caring to go to an attorney, I drew up
as full a receipt on it as I could couch in words. The man
seemed staggered at first when he saw he must sign stamp-
paper : but complying at last he took the money, and getting
without the door, cursed us all in a most devout and liberal
manner, and so ended the negociation. B. was so provoked at
the usage, that he thinks that he should have thrashed him
had he been well and able. Let me hear soon.

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 25

LETTER XI.

Faringdon, March 6 [not later than 1774].
DEAR BROTHER,

MR. WEBB, as you say, is, I believe, a good natured man, and
in good business. I have made some enquiries round about
by means of Mr. Yalden ; but the answer was, that at pre-
sent he did not think it convenient to take an apprentice. So
it is needless to say anything farther on that subject.

What is become of your friend Gen. Cornwallis ? I have
never seen any mention of his arrival.

You never let me know whereabout your expences came for
the fitting up of your house. I talk of building a parlor : but
when it comes to the point I have fears about the trouble ;
besides green walls will not be habitable till the second year.
In what language did you write to Linnaeus ? and in what did
he answer you ?

The late decree in the house of Lords concerning literary
property will make booksellers shy of publishing new editions,
as it renders such property very precarious. There is in Lon-
don a strange spirit of decrying Linn., which seems to obtain
more and more ; I think, without any reason. Just as infidels
rail at the S. S. tho' at the same time their minds are much
enlightened by them. Mr. Twiss had written me word that
he would come and see me in the winter. At Xmas I invited
him again ; but he was gone into Staffordshire on family
business, and when he returned had no more time to spare.

By the death of Mr. John Warnford, Skinner is put in the
possession of the living of Bassingham in the county of Lin-
coln, on the Witham, midway between Newark and Lincoln.
His living was set in 1663 st 8d per acre ; and so it continues;
was it let only at Is. 6d. it would be a noble parsonage, now
it rents about 200 guineas. Skinner is to stay in coll.
about five weeks longer. If you want to consult him about
your fauna why don't you write to him ? Direct for Skinner,
after five weeks, at Passingham near Newark.

26 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

Jack by no means wants a coat and waistcoat yet; he shall
have a pair of fustian breeches. Bro. Tho. can hear of no
master as yet, but will continue to enquire. Prices are so
enormous, that a common seedsman asked him the astonish-
ing deposit of £300 ! to enable a young man to sell a penny-
worth of radish seed !

I could get no Mus *, as nobody moved a rick.

Pray write very soon.

Yours affectionately,

GIL. WHITE.

Friends join in respects.

If you have anything for Linn, send it up soon, because the
ship is likely to sail shortly. If you have any desiderata with
respect to Spain, now is your time, for Mr. Barrington | tells
me this morning that he has just compleated a nat. treaty with
the King of Spain, who is to send all the curiosities of S.
America, and the R. S. are to send him all the nat. productions
of N. America.

I remember you wished to know how far the Hirundo
melba extended up into Spain, and whether the Hirundo ru-
pestris was seen in summer in the internal parts.

Mr. B. shewed me and Jack the curiosities of the R. S. ;
there was a stuffer packing and preparing the productions of
N. America for the use of the King of Spain.

Pray write soon.

LETTER XII.

Selborne, March 29, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

THE long contested drawings are lodged in Thames Street in
order to be sent down to you. I wish they had been better
executed, and the owner had behaved more like a gentleman

* [He alludes to the harvest-mouse, Mus messorius, of which White
was the discoverer in this country : see vol. i. p. 36. — T. B.]

t [Mr. Barrington was at this time commissary of the stores at Gib-
raltar, residing, however, in England. — T. P.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 27

on the occasion. He showed me a letter which he intended to
send you : and as Benj. and he have literary connections, I
hope you will forget and forgive. They always quarrel and
squabble by letter, but accord well when they meet.

You do well to send Linn, your most curious specimens,
and not only your most curious ones, but also such common
ones as by the circumstances of his country he seems to be
unacquainted with. He will, I trust, act with candour, and
give you the best information he can concerning your nonde-
scripts. No doubt when he sees the Pratincola he will remove
it from the Hirundines.

As to my letters, they lie in my cupboard very snug: if you
will correct them, and assist in the arrangement of my journal,
I will publish. I have finished the monography of all the
Hirundines except the swift.

Cromhall is so dismally circumstanced that I think there
can be no doubt which way I had best act. The late incum-
bent insolvent, and too negligent to leave any papers of
information behind him ; no barn ; I believe, no stable ; a
wretched house ; and all the parish offices for years past in
the hands of an attorney and a gentleman steward ; and to
complete all, the manor-farm belonging to Dr. Bosworth's
persecuting peer ! Mr. Pen told a man a little before he dyed
that he had made one year £160 of his living, but that in
general it produced only £150. Dr. Bosworth says it may be
raised to £200.

Write to Mr* Barrington under cover to the Bishop of
Llandaff in London.

I have not been at Hawkley yet : but the falling of the
fragment from the cliff is the least part of the story ; for a
slipping below has disordered and damaged near 100 acres of
land, and ruined two houses ! The ground is rumpled and
forced up as it were into waves*. I did not suppose your
repairs would inform me about new buildings, I only wished
to know what expense would put a good firm shell in com-
fortable condition. The vexation of workmen, I fear, is great.
I bought in town Dr. Campbell's Political Survey of Great
* [See vol. i. p. 230.]

28 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

Britain, a work that has employed his thoughts more than
twenty years ; 2 vols. 4to, £2 2s. As far as I have seen, I
think his style is not so good as in his i Present State of
Europe.' The new work seems to comprise a variety of
knowledge.

Some time ago I put Hume's History of England into
Jack's hands. The young man is much taken with the work,
and reads it with great earnestness and in preference to the
f Spectator ' and Fathers, and makes pertinent remarks. With
respects to my sister we remain

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XIII.

Selborne, April 29, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

OUT of all my journals I think I might collect matter enough,
and such a series of incidents as might pretty well com-
prehend the natural history of this district, especially as to the
ornithological part ; and I have moreover half a century of
letters on the same subject, most of them very long; all which
together (were they thought worthy to be seen) might make
up a moderate volume. To these might be added some
circumstances of the country, its most curious plants, its few
antiquities, all which together might soon be moulded into a
work, had I resolution and spirits enough to set about it.

As to your own work, your journal incidents will be the
most entertaining part of it. Skinner was much pleased with
them. You should moreover, I think, have some letters, or
dissertations, for the unsystematic part of your readers, who
will not so well relish a fauna alone. The comparative
account of the climates (where they will admit) would, I
think, be very engaging. You have by you an abundance of
your own letters. I should have told you before that I have
finished my monography on the British Hirundines. If you

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 29

can procure yourself a frank and will send it to me, Jack shall
transcribe you one sheet that you may see how I have ac-
quitted myself, and whether you approve of the manner.
My cold and feverish complaint hung so about me at Easter
that I did not go at all to the election, expecting every day to
be laid up ; but I wrote to the Provost, and sent a renuncia-
tion of the living of Cromhall ; as I have done since of the
living of Swainswick near Bath, which Ken also dyed pos-
sessed of.

Brother Thomas and Molly will be here, I think, next week
in order that Molly may be settled for a while under the care
of Mrs. Etty.

As to building, I have not yet absolutely determined about
it ; the next week will be the last week of asking, because
the bark of oaks (as I must cut some timber) will not strip or
run after that time. I am quite at a loss about the house-
martins, as they do not appear yet : the swallows and bank-
martins were early; a pair of swifts came to the church
yesterday.

Mr. Lever, I find, continues wonderfully generous, and
helpful by means of his books ; if it was not for the General,
you should, I think, dedicate your work to him. In my
monography I have made honourable mention of his museum.
Pray where did he get his little mouse ? I mean by that to
enquire whether it is common in Lancashire. For I con-
cluded, as it had escaped Ray, that it did not extend far
northward.

When Brother Thomas comes I will enquire what farther
information he has procured with regard to a master for Jack.
It is a very difficult matter, it seems, to find a place where all
things concur to our wishes. Jack grows stout and tall, but
not upright. He says he is five feet six inches and a half
without his shoes.

We began to read Horace's Odes together; but found many
of them so indecent for a young man, that we have taken to
the Epistles, which are a fine body of ethics, and very enter-
taining, and sensible. Jack construes well ; but makes slips
with regard to quantity. He is become a very good tran-

30 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

scriber. I believe such employ now and then is not bad for a
young man, since it teaches him the use and power of
stopping; a thing much neglected. Jack has read all the
Georgics through. I wish I could read Reaumur and De
Geer.

The spring is forward, and we have had some lovely weather;
but winter is returned to day. I want to know what Linn,
will say to the supposed Junco and the Turdus.

My wall trees promise much fruit. We join in respects to
my sister. Pray write soon.

Your affect, brother,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XIV.

Selborne, June 18, 1774.

DEAR BROTHER,

IT pleases me to find that my little monography entertained
you ; it makes its own excuse for being short. The next will
not offend in that way. Pray make all the objections freely
that occur.

Linnaeus's letter is polite and entertaining and instructive.
But pray what does he mean by saying that your Hirundo

hyemalis (for so I shall still call it) is varietas apus ? for

the apus and melba only perhaps have omnibus quatuor digitis
anticis, while your swallow has a back toe like other birds ;
besides the bill of your apus and melba are much bent; but
that of the hirundo hyemalis is straight.

I have just received a letter from Mr. Pennant, wherein he
says that he has lately sent twenty-nine more drawings to
Mr. Ben., being the whole that were copied from your i Gib.'
They are to be kept as long as wanted.

Humbledon is a place that I have a strong dislike to, on
account of its morals and dissipation, besides Mr. Hale has a
young partner, should he want to leave business by and by*.

* [This remark has reference to the intended apprenticeship of ' Jack/
which at this time was a subject of much anxiety both to his father and
uncle.— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 31

My anecdote from Valentia is taken from Willughby's
( Ornithology.' In one of your letters you regret the trouble of
transcribing your Fauna. A writing master would take this
trouble off your hands for a small sum, but with this dis-
advantage, that no man can transcribe his own without seeing
places that he can alter for the better ; a benefit which is
entirely lost where a stranger is amanuensis. I wish Jack
would earn your book ; I mentioned the conditions, at which
he smiled.

Pray return the printed monography without fail. If Mr.
Lever desires to see my papers, let him have them ; he is a
man of honour, and will not suffer them to be transcribed. I
beg his objections and additions. After I have heard from
you again I will send your fourth monography with Mr.
Willis's receipt &c.

Lin. still allows your piscis thoracicus to be a new genus ;
he should give it a name and you an engraving. When he
talks of making honourable mention of you in his future
edition you may reply " orna me."

No doubt the t Voyage to the Hebrides ' is an entertaining
work ; I have seen the cuts, but not the book *. You should
observe when your summer birds come and depart, that we
may compare notes. It is a sickly time among young folks,
especially in Sussex. Thomas has had a pleurisy, and is not
yet recovered so as to do any work. Molly White likes
Selborne and looks well. Nanny Woods is very stout and
very brown ; she is all day in the sun.

Wall fruit abounds ; and vines promise to blow well.

Harry has just lost his best cart horse ; he is most un-
fortunate in horse flesh.

As my little mouse is so common in your parts and pro-
bably in all the intermediate, I am amazed that it should be
so long a nondescript.

Printers, I know, some of them get a deal of money ; but
their state of apprenticeship must be, I should suppose, very

* [Johnson's ' Tour to the Western Islands of Scotland,' which took
place in the previous autumn, was published only a short time before the
date of this letter.— T. B.J

32 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

low and servile, and unwholesome ; but of all this I am not
sure. Chemistry, Bro. Thomas says, is very unwholesome.
A packer's was, I have heard, a fine business ; but at present
they say merchants are their own packers. I have heard no
more of the ribbon man. Jack will by no means obstruct my
motions this summer, but is of use and service. We never
fall out much ; and then it is chiefly about quantity in verse,
and there is no moral turpitude in long and short feet. As to
law, I have nothing to say about it; lawyers get all the
money. Our father, you know, did not approve of it. Sure
London is so large a field, and you have so many friends
there, that you cannot be long without hearing somewhat for
your son. That you may get a proper place to your mind
1 heartily wish.

Your affectionate brother,

GIL. WHITE.

We join in respects to my sister. Pray write soon. I do
not know that our Coll. is Dutch.

LETTER XV.

Selborne, July 15, 1774.

BEAR BROTHER,

JACK and I went down to Fyfield on June 22d, and stayed
there 'til July 6th, and found and left Brother Henry very
brisk and very busy ; for, what between seven boarders, six
children, some farming, three churches, and some building, he
has enough to do. He has a one hundred pound boy in the
room of Mr. Brocket, who by this time, I fear, is dead ; and
Jack and Jem from Fleet Street. The house, especially the
kitchen, is so small for twenty-two in family, that H. is
embarked in building a wing of 36 feet from the kitchen
towards the brewhouse : this wing is to consist of a staircase,
a large kitchen, a parlor over, and a large garret. The
kitchen is to communicate with the new staircase of the

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 33

brewhouse by a narrow entry running against the chalk wall;
and thus the whole house may be made use of without a
person's going abroad. The chambers over the brewhouse are
finished, and very neat. All these buildings will cost a great
sum and prevent the laying up of money ; but as more room
was absolutely necessary, and things are all done in the way
of trade, I hope they will answer in the end.

I am glad to hear H. talk didactically about grammar
rules, and moods and tenses; for unless a school master is
somewhat of a pedant, and a little self-sufficient in his way,
he must expect to be soon jaded with his drudgery.

Swifts, as I suspected, invariably lay but two eggs * ; and as
they breed but once, their increase is very small. I got
Harry's bricklayer one evening to open the tiles of his brew-
house, under which were several nests containing only two
squab young apiece ; and moreover his workmen all told me
that, when boys, they had invariably found only two eggs or
two birds. If I lived at Fyfield, I should be more learned in
swifts ; for as you sit in the parlour you see their proceedings
at the brewhouse.

» I thank you for your strictures on my printed monog. and
wish you would extend yours to the rest. I had used the
pronoun personal to my swallows; but somebody objected ; so
I put it in its place. But I think you are right, and shall
replace she and her ; though there is this objection, that in a
IHI'U' a male is implied as well as a female, and yet he would
sound awkward for a bird.

Linn, is wrong past all doubt with respect to your Hirundo
hyemalis. The Melba is undoubtedly affinis to the swift, but
not your new swallow; it can by no means be a variety of opus.
The rest of Mr. Pennant's drawings are here : you shall be
sure to have them as soon as I can find a safe method of con-
veyance. I am glad your Fauna swells so fast. You must
publish a quarto work : every man now publishes in quarto.
It is not to be wondered at that you do not readily find a
master for Jack ; for our Bro. B. you see, is under the same

* [This is not invariably the case, as has been shown by the late Mr.
Salmon ( Yarr. Brit. Birds, ii. p. 235).— T. B.]

VOL. II. D

34 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

difficulty with respect to Edmund. Jack's epistle is of his
own composing : I have altered here and there a word, but
inserted no sentence.

" Orna me/' is a sentence very familiar to me ; it is, I
think, in Tully's letters. Mrs. Barker writes me word this
week, that now she and Mr. B. are come to a determination
not to stir from home this summer. They plead the ill health
of old Mrs. Barker, and a great deal of repairs to be done to
a farmhouse.

We have had continual showers for three weeks past; much
hay, especially clover, is totally spoiled ; and much meadow-
grass, and among the rest my own, is still standing, but
growing too old. Harry still preserves your Barbary breed
of fowls distinct : but they labour under a disadvantage not
very convenient for this climate; for their down comes off
before their feathers appear, and so they are stark naked for
a fortnight — a condition not very suitable to a cold wet
summer. They are taller and more erect than our breed.

As to franks, pray think no more about them ; for, unless
any thing particular wants to be enclosed, I never wish to
receive one again : there is no money that I pay with more
satisfaction than postage of letters from friends.

If you will object to the rest of my monog. where you see
occasion, I shall be glad.

My neighbour Mr. Robertson is disposed, and thinks he
shall be able, to take my curacy in the autumn, when I much
wish to see Lancashire. But then it must not be until the
beginning of November ; for I must be at Oxford in October,
and I am embarrassed with a broken tenant at Greatham, by
whom I shall lose a year's rent, if I do not look about me, at
Michaelmas.

Swifts breed but once in a summer, and but two at a time ;
swallows and martins breed twice in a season, and from four
to six at a time ; so the latter increase at an average five
times as fast as the former. With respects to my sister, I
remain

Your affectionate brother,

GIL. WHITE.

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 35

LETTER XVI.

Selborne, Aug. 11, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

MY best thanks are due for your strictures on my mono-
graphies, of which I shall avail myself in many particulars,
and hope you will extend them to the swift. But I am
greatly disappointed with respect to Mr. L.*, from whom, as a
good practical ornithologist, I expected several new remarks
and observations, but I don't find that he sent you one.
Surely that gent.'s scheme with regard to his museum is a
strange one ; for as I cannot suppose that a man of his spirit
will take money, so, if he entertains that great beast of a town
for nothing (gratis), it will cost him thousands and be quite a
ruinous expence ! Swifts may breed twice at Gibraltar, as
far as I know, because they arrive there much earlier than
with us. But it is past all doubt that with us the case is
quite different ; for they do not arrive 'til the first week in
May, do not hatch 'til the middle of June, and this year
and the last departed by the seventh of August. Down at
Fyfield I opened the eaves of some roofs on June 30, and
found squab helpless young, and invariably but two in a
jiest ; so that their congeners, who lay all round from four
to six eggs, and produce invariably two broods in a year>
increase five times as fast as they do. LinnaBus is wrong even
in doubting whether the Ilirundo hyemalis be a variety of the
apus ; for the feet, the bill, the whole habit bespeak it an
absolute swallow, not a swift t> The melba is an absolute apus.
Prav send me a copy of that gent.'s last letter; I love to see
the letters of great and able men in any way. Don't regard
the want of franks. I pay 2^d. for a nonsensical newspaper,
and shall I hesitate to pay Id. for the sight of an epistle from
the greatest naturalist in Europe? He will insert you in the

* [Lever.]

t [See Linnaeus's letter of Jan. 2nd, 1774, afterwards printed. — T. B.]

D 2

36 LETTEES TO HIS BROTHER

next edition of his ( Syst. Nat. : ' say to him in your next,
" orna me."

I cannot procure a grass-hopper lark. They are such shy,
skulking varlets; such troglodytes, such hedge-creepers, there
is no knowing where to have them. When a good oppor-
tunity offers, I will send the drawings to town. Poor Nanny
White of Fleet Street is in a very declining way. Happening
to meet Mr. Edm. Woods lately at Newton, I pressed him
very earnestly to lend his assistance in looking out a master
for Jack. He promises to do his best, and is a likely man
to forward such a business. You must read Lord

Chesterfield's letters ; they are very entertaining, though in
parts very exceptionable.

Bear is a sort of barley : Mr. P.f should have told his
readers as much in a note. Mr. and Mrs. Lort are now on a
tour round N. Wales. Mr. Leech has lost his cause with
respect to the lead-mines, and stands obliged to refund all his
gains. Molly White must lose her share, of course. Niece
Molly joins in respects

Your loving brother,

GIL. WHITE.

I am mending my tiling and pointing against winter. A
stitch in my side makes writing irksome.

LETTER XVII.

Selborne, Sept. 26, 1774.
DEAR BROTHER,

SOME years ago, when I met Sam Barker at Ringmer, I found
he had some propensity to poetry, tho' it had not then been
called forth. I therefore gave him a few instructions, and
this summer sent him some old verses, on Selborne, new fur-
bished up J. These small encouragements have occasioned the
lines above, which Jack transcribes for your amusement. By
all means recollect the specific difference, or else get new spe-

t [Pennant?]

J [The f Invitation to Selborne.' See the Poems at the end of Vol. I.
— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 37

cimens of the Sphex formicarum falco ; for it is a great pity
that so diverting an account as that which you give of that
insect should be lost to your Fauna.

You must be sure to caution Linn, that the CEstrus curvi-
cauda is by no means the parent of the star-tailed water-maggot,
though Derham says it is ; Swam., Geoffrey, and others have
since discovered that wonderful maggot to be the offspring of
a Musca hydroleon : see Geof. ; he calls it Stratiomys. You
will be the means, I perceive, of correcting many mistakes, and
new arranging many misplaced articles in i Syst. Nat.,' which I
wish to see as perfect as possible. I wish you may catch a
curvicauda before the autumn is over : you will at once be con-
vinced that it is an CEstrus. Os nullum, punctis tribus, &c. :
it sometimes haunts upland fields, and teazes the horses at
plow ; but is more frequently found in swampy wet places,
and is probably aquatic in its larva state. The nits laid on my
horses at Meon-Stoke Aug 19th stick on their legs and flanks
still. * * * Skinner can if he pleases, send several ques-
tions and pertinent enquiries relative to 'Syst. Nat.,' which he
well understands, with its comparative merits and defects, as
far as the author has borrowed from or imitated Mr. Ray.

Next summer I will, if possible, get a grass-hopper lark:
but they are not easily procured ; they skulk in the hedges
like mice.

When you write to Linnaeus next, pray talk to him about
tortoises f. There are tortoises whose shells are always open
behind and before — " apertura testae anterior," as he says him-
self, " pro capite et brachiis, posterior pro cauda et femoribus."
These apertures are supported as it were by pillars on each
side, and can never be closed. Of such construction is the
shell of Mrs. Snooke's present living tortoise, Timothy. But
then there are tortoises whose under shell has a cardo or hinge
about the middle of their bellies commanding one lid or flap for-

t [The letter from John White to Linnaeus, which was the result of
this suggestion of Gilbert's, certainly gave the great Swede the first idea
of the two distinct families of Testudinata in question j but he failed
to name his brother as the real author of the observation. (See note to
p. 240, Vol. I.)— T. B.]

38 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

ward, and one lid backward (like the double-lidded snuff-boxes),
which when shut conceal the head and legs and tail of the reptile
entirely and keep out all annoyances. Two such (very small
they were) Mrs. Snooke had formerly ; the shells lie still in her
room over the hall. Now concerning shells of this construc-
tion Linn, makes no mention at all ; and this construction is
certainly the most curious, and perhaps the most uncommon.
But what I would infer from all this is that in his genus
Testudo express mention should be made of this diversity ;
and the genus should be divided into testis clausis cardinatis,
and testis apertis, or by some such expression. He loves, you
know, to subdivide his long genera ; and such subdivisions
are very consistent with system. I hope I have expressed
myself so as to be understood in this matter ; and I wish you
would mention it to him, and ask if such a subdivision would
not be proper. Thus he divides his genus of (Enas into " rostro
basi gibbo," and u rostro basi aequali," &c. &c. Can't you
hear yet where and how the Panorpa coa feeds ? It is pity that
part of its hist, should escape you. I shall transcribe my
swift anew before it be read [redde] * to the R. S. I have alter-
ations of some consequence to make, such as the number of
its eggs, &c. It is remarkable that none of the martins round
my buildings have this year any second broods. Is this owing
to the cold, wet, uncomfortable equinox? We had sweet
weather this August till towards the end, but since, sad doings
— much corn damaged and our fruit spoiled. We have vast
quantities of hops ; but they are mostly distempered. My
thanks are due for your kind letter of Sept. 1 1th ; some of the
contents are very strange ! Over Leicester-house gate should
be written in letters of gold, Museum Leveriense.
Our respects to my sister. Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

Just as I had finished thus far, your entertaining letter of
Sept. 18 came to hand. I am convinced by Reaumur with
respect to the (Estrus bovis &c.,and much pleased that you have

* [" Redde " is the word repeatedly used at that period in the f Philo-
sophical Transactions.' — T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 39

discovered and seen with your own eyes, and caught with
your own hands a curvicauda : but it seems strange that you
did not see eggs on the horse's hair. Perhaps the color of
the horse might prevent your seeing them. Horses of dark
color are quite discolor'd by them. I wish to know the nidus
of the great Tabanus also : it haunts, I know, watery, moor
places. The Sturnus coll. * can't be a Fringilla, since it has no
conic bill. All grass horses now in watery places have nits :
I am pleased to find that insect extends to your district. You
may see with your own eyes the parent deposit each single
egg. Your remark concerning the bivalve straps of the egg
is a good one.

Cholderton lies again at my option f.

LETTER XVIII.

Selborne, Feb. 1, 1775.
DEAR BROTHER,

I HAVE been unusually dilatory in my answer to your last
letter ; and the reason was, tho' I was much vexed and disap-
pointed at your rebuff, which came so unexpectedly, yet I did
not know how to come to your assistance. Mr. Pinnock at the
same time mentioned a gent, of the law ; but that is a profes-
sion you do not seem to affect.

Brother Ben says you must have as many plates as possible
in your Fauna ; for it is the fashion now " to look in picture-
books." Insects being the most laborious, and probably to
most readers the most uninteresting part of your work, I am
glad you have run thro' them. The birds and quadrupeds
will pass off smoothly. I am sorry you will not work up your
tour to Mogador into a pretty chapter ; it is the fashion now
to publish tours : besides, some account of the person, man-
ners, and mode of life of that monarch who at present sets all
naval powers at defiance, would take with many readers. The

* [This is the Accentor alpinusrOT more properly A. collaris, of modern
ornithologists. — T. B.]

t [The living of Cholderton waa twice declined by him. See memoir.
— T. B.]

40 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

practice of gratifying such barbarians with elegant presents,
and the Moors turning Dollond's perspectives into walking-
sticks, would furnish matters for agreeable reflection. Dr.
Johnson has just published his journey through the Western
Isles. I have read it ; and you should read it. It is quite a sen-
timental journey, divested of all natural history and antiqui-
ties, but full of good sense, and new and peculiar reflections.
It does not at all interfere writh Mr. Pennant's book.

John Neal and Dame Knight are dead. Berriman lies in
the same sad deplorable way. Mrs. Snooke writes me word
that she has been better than usual this mild winter.

For some days past we have had great rains and blustering
weather. This morning it is very wet and stormy ; the ther-
mometer at 50, the barom. 28*7. Every sunny day, insects
abound, and in warm lanes and under hedges the air swarms
with them. Within doors wood-lice, spiders, and Lepisnice are
in motion, and many Muscce in the stable ; earthworms come
forth every mild evening ; so that in mild winters insects are
not so much laid up as is imagined. Some Phalcence fly also
all the winter. * * * On Jan. 20th many rooks were
caught, it is said, by a man near Hackwood Park; their
wings, as he affirms, were frozen together by a wet sleet then
falling. Pray write soon.

Respects as due. Your affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XIX.

Fyfield, March 9, 1775.
DEAR BROTHER,

As you have long experienced that I am not usually a tardy and
negligent correspondent, you will, I suppose, conclude that
something has happened to prevent my writing sooner, as really
has been the case. I have had an heat and stiffness in my
eyes from over much reading, that made writing very irksome
for some time ; they are now pretty well recovered again.

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 41

After your disappointment in town I was glad to hear by
your last that you had a prospect of disposing of your son at
Manchester; but now I understand that farther difficulties
arise. The Scopoli from Mr. Pennant that you mention, is at
Selborne ; and I will send it, if you desire it ; but it affords no
information.

As you rather complain of some reserve on Benj.'s side re-
specting your work, suppose you write to him, and ask him
how much he will give you downright clear of the plates and
printing for your copy ; and then you will know your certain
gain, and will run no risk. Anything in the nat. way now
sells well. Or if he chuses to go shares in profit or loss, en-
quire of him what proportion he should think would pay him
for conducting the sale and publication. Booksellers have
certainly a power of pushing books into the world ; and it must
be a work of great merit to obtain and make its way invitis
libliopolis. You mention also a want of books : might you
not also apply to Benj. to know on what terms he would fur-
nish you with the use of books proper for your purpose 'til
you had compleated your Fauna? It is highly proper, it
seems, to have a good many cuts. Mr. Curtis will superin-
tend your engravings.

Mrs. Chapone * sold her two first vols. for £50. Now she has
made up a third from essays, poems, adventures, &c. and sold
that to another for £250 ; so that it is expected the man will
lose considerably by the purchase.

Many thanks for the copies of your ' Gib. Letters,' which are
very entertaining. You have the advantage of me now, since
you have taken away my amanuensis. I am disturbed that
Mr. Shaw takes no manner of notice of the Hirundines ; nor
how far the melba and hybernce extend, as might have been
expected from his opportunities at Cadiz and elsewhere. Pray
let Cap. Shaw know, that if he comes to Alton I should be
glad to see him. The spirit for nat. hist, that you left behind
you is by no means evaporated ; neither is your mantle worn
out.

* [This lady was the early object of Gilbert White's regard and
addresses when Hester Mulso. (See memoir.) — T. B.]

42 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

Lever has opened his museum at half a guinea per head.
Harry has got a fine roomy kitchen indeed, and will have a
fine parlor over. This addition shuts all his buildings finely
together; and nothing is to be regretted but the expense.
Sister Harry has got another fine boy, whose name is Edward.
Nanny White is in a poor languishing way, still at lodgings
near Yauxhall. Edward White is gone on trial to Mr. John
Hounsom, linendraper in Fleet Street. The father is to advance
with him a fee of £250 ; and the master makes a merit of
taking so little, and says that from a stranger he should have
demanded £300.

When opportunity serves, pray read Dr. Johnson's 'Journey
thro' Scotland,' and Dr. Burney's i Tour thro' Europe to make
enquiries into the present state of musick.' Thanks for your
information about cotton-cups.

Should you not produce in your work a short comparative
table of weather at Gib., Selborne, and N. America? Kalm
will furnish you with the barom., thermom., &c. of America.
I herewith -send you my best account of the cobweb shower of
1741. What is said of spiders shooting webs, and flying &c.
in Ray's Letters is so much, that it cannot be transcribed.
You should consult Ray's Letters *.

When first I came I fully intended to have sent you my ac-
count of the cobweb shower : but this house is so full that I
have no opportunity of being long enough alone to think ac-
curately on any subject ; so I must defer that part till I write
again. We have continual wet weather; and farmers are sadly
hindered in their spring crop : stormy and wet this day,
March 11.

When Hesiod says that the chirping note of the Cicada
comes from under its wings, he expresses himself thus —

\iyvpr]v

HVKVOV VTTO 7TTfpVyO)V. V. 584.

Is there not a Frenchman who claims this discovery?

Sure insects have been more abroad this winter than usual :
and lately, in our little interval of fine weather, many species

* [See p. 182, Vol. I.— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 43

of MMSCCK came forth. Chrwowela Gottingensisluogms to como
forth.

Bro. Tho., Molly White, and myself came down to this place
on Tuesday last ; on Wednesday next Harry's boy is to be
bapt. ; and on Friday we are to return to Selborne.

I have just dug away 40 loads of earth from the end of my
kitchen, and have now set my house above ground in all parts.

Mr. Halliday behaves very well, and improves so much,
that his friends are well pleased with the pains that have been
taken with him. His parts, tho' somewhat backward, and
slow, promise to be solid.

Building is very infectious and catching : I am so pleased
with H.'s new parlour, that I want to go home and build one.

A certain plea of license against the incumbent's taking all
the duty in person can avail him nothing. Every man may,
if he chooses, do his own business himself, certainly.

A flock of Spoon-bills was seen last winter near Yarmouth
in Norfolk : one was shot and sent to Curtis, who showed it
to Bro. Tho. This is a rare bird indeed in England, tho' com-
mon in Holland, and must have migrated across the German
Ocean, no narrow frith, in spite of all that Mr. Barrington can
say to the contrary*. That gent, is got into some fracas with
the R. S. ; so that, I suspect, no more of my Hirundines will
be redde.

I will send you in my next what Chaucer says about gossa-
mer : it is wonderful that so remarkable and prognostic a phe-
nomenon should escape Thomson, the naturalist poet.

As America is at present the subject of conversation, it may
be matter of some amusement to you to send you a quotation
from the Medea of Seneca, prophetic of the discovery of that

vast continent.

veneant annis

Secula sens, quibus oceanus
Pateat, tellus, Tiphysqiie novos
Detegat orbes; nee sit terra ultima Thule.

* [It is now well known that the Spoonbill used to breed in Norfolk.
See Stevenson's ' Birds of Norfolk,' ii. p. 52G. Sir Thomas Brown also
says that they used to build in the Heronry at Claxton and Iludham, iii
in that county. — T. B.]

44 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

N.B. Tiphys was pilot to the Argonautic expedition ; and
a type of Columbus.

All friends join in respects yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

Sure your Fauna should sell outright for £100 clear of all
deductions. Mr. Pennant gets that sum for his new edition
of ( Brit. Zool. ; ' and your work will contain much more new,
original information. I want to see you the first of faunists.
With regard to anecdote and real nat. hist, the less you borrow
from books the better ; you have a large fund of your own.
Benj. will get very largely by Mr. P.'s Scotch tour.

LETTER XX.

Selborne, Oct. 4, 1775.
DEAR BROTHER,

FROM the hurry arising from a full house while the Lyndon
family were with me ; and by means of Mr. Thos. Mulso, who
came as soon as they were gone to Fyfield, I find that your
letter has lain unanswered for three weeks. It is proper
therefore to sit down now I am alone, and answer your last
before my friends return from Fyfield.

Mr. Barker sets out as this morning for Northamptonshire,
and takes his leave of Hants at my Bro. Harry's house ; but
the ladies and Sam return hither on Friday; and Harry accom-
panies them and stays with me a few days. How long my
sister &c. are to stay I cannot yet say. Your Fauna, to which
I think myself at least a foster-father, is become, I hear with
pleasure, a fine thriving child. I could be glad to examine
its features, and to dandle it, and remark how it shoots up
towards its rj\i/cia ; but the old difficulty of my church stands
still in my way, and is like to prove as great a remora as usual :
I am making enquiries concerning some assistance, but can
hear of nothing yet to my satisfaction. Mr. Grimm has not

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 45

yet appeared ; the reason is because he has been detained so
long in Nottinghamshire.

******

Our people here, you know, call coppice-wood, or hedge-
wood, rice or rise. Now Bro. Thos. has found that this word
is pure Saxon ; for hris * signifies frondes. Thus has he vindi-
cated this provincial word from contempt. I am lowering my
bank in my garden, and throwing its border on an hanging
slope : last winter I sank my walks so much, that this altera-
tion became necessary. Where is Wollet the draughtsman to
be found? Thos. Mulso, who draws sweetly, has taken hints
concerning the Hawkley Slip, to be finished in town ; bro.
Ben has just purchased two freehold houses in S. Lambeth,
one of which is to be used as his country house, into which he
is to enter as soon as possible. He and Ben. are just gone
from us. My sister Bet and Jane and Nanny are still at
Newton ; the latter is most marvellously recovered, and will
now, I trust, do very well. Poor little Nanny Wood has been
ill and has lost her colour. Bro. Harry has got another young
man, a 50-pounder ; he has now a fine income, and will soon,
I hope, begin to lay by some money. Does your migrating
clergyman visit you again this winter ? Ring-ouzels came to
us in September. Your snuff-pincers extinguish my candles
in a very neat manner.

With respects to my sister, I remain

Your loving brother,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XXI.

London, Jan. 30, 76.
DEAR BROTHER,

As you have enjoined me to speak my sentiments with respect
to your work, you must not think me didactic and forward in
the following pages. It will be well to sweeten and diversify
your tables of weather &c. with an alternate page of zool. ca-
* The top of a tree : " top and lop."

46 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

lendar, and interesting coincidences ; for the generality of
readers are apt to skip over whatever looks like figures. Your
journal will be pretty long. An index perhaps has never en-
tered into your head ; yet such a thing may be expected in so
large a work. You may no doubt, if you please, invent your
system as well as Brown. You are not sworn to follow the
arrangement of Linn. By that means the subject certainly rises
on the reader. The Swedes admire Brown notwithstanding.
Faunce Calpensis primitice will no doubt be more modest ; yet
might your full history well deserve to be called a Fauna. In
strictness Linn.'s Fauna Suec. is no more a perfect Fauna than
your own, since some hundreds of animals must still have
escaped his observation. Bro. Ben objects to a Latin title to
an English book. Suppose you call it, ' Fauna Cal., or a Zool.
Hist, of Gib.' &c. ; for Natural Hist, it must not be called, since
the plants are wanting. There is such a spirit gone forth
against whatever is Linnaean, that I would not make the title
page Linnaean. Your bookseller must be consulted a little in
the title page and advertisements, as he knows best how to
throw in little savoury and alluring circumstances to quicken
the appetite of your buyer. By no means should you print,
Bro. Tho. and I both think, 'til you have sold your copy : book-
sellers know how to subscribe off an impression to the trade,
and to throw cold water on a work lying on the author's hand.
We do by no means like your " sequimur patrem," &c. : you
should have mottos relative to each class. Ovid, perhaps,
somewhere among his monsters will furnish for the Vermes.
Pray correspond with Padre Floroz, since Linn, will no longer
write*. We can by no means see how you can be off from
bringing up your work yourself : for no person will purchase
what they have not seen ; besides one hour's conversation will
do more business than an hundred letters. Might not Benj.
print and publish for you on the usual terms? We wish to
see your papers, and to correct here and there, not out of
vanity and a meddling temper, but because little errors un-

* [In May 1774 Linnaeus had his first attack of apoplexy, from TS liicli
he never wholly recovered. — T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 47

avoidably befall and escape every author. Be sure to pro-
cure a good perspective western view of the harbor, town, and
hill of Gib. to fold in as frontispiece, with references; it will
contribute to explain many passages. You will have, I find,
near 1000 pages, and 800 species.

As an electrician you should see Priestley's 'Hist, of Elec-
tricity :' he sets the whole in a pleasing light. Just as you
wrote last my neighbours told me there were troops from Gib.
at Alton ; so I sent Thomas over with a note and invitation to
your friend Cap. Shaw. He brought word that Mr. S. had
passed through Alton, and was quartered at Farnham. I then
wrote by the post to Farnham renewing my invitation ; and
received a letter of thanks, and excuses that they expected
daily to be called for to inarch towards London, where the
king would review them. However, the deep snow came and
stopped their march; so that when I came to Farnham I
found the soldiers still there : I therefore called on C. Shaw
for five minutes in my postchaise at the Bush-inn-gate ; and
so ended the affair. He expressed his sense of my civility,
and says he will write to you very soon. He does not expect
to go to N. America.

As soon as Bro. Tho. is at liberty he proposes laying in
materials for a history of Hants : he is in possession of a fine
fortune.

I am glad John (for now he is very near six feet high I
must no longer call him Jack) behaves so much to your satis-
faction. He has lately written to me ; and I have answered
from hence, offering him a book of a guinea value, but desi-
ring him to consult you and his master.

We condole with you on the loss of your excellent friend
the Governor *. Perhaps by permission you may dedicate to
the Archbishop, and, as the General is dead, may be allowed to
speak with more warmth of him than you could have done to

* [The Hon. Edward Cornwallis, Lieutenant-General, and Governor
of Gibraltar, was the son of Lord Cornwallis, uncle of the earl, and twin
brother of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He died at Bird Place in
Hertfordshire, on the 14th of January 1776, only about a fortnight before
the date of this letter.— T. B.]

48 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

him. Shall I desire Mr. Lort to enquire whether such a dedi-
cation would be permitted, and well taken.

Poor Brown the artist ! it is the fate of most ingenious fo-
reigners : they have no manner of economy. Forster will be
soon in the same condition : he and his son dress like noble-
men, and give £60 per ann. for an house ! They have pub-
lished ' New Genera of Antarctic Plants.' Benj. has a share in
this book. There is Barringtonia, a Sheffieldia, a Skinneriaj
&c. &c.

Their great work or ' Voyage ' is now under correction at
Oxford. Have your churchyards in the N. any yew trees ?

Pray send me Reaumur's whole account of the Ilippobosca
hirundinis. Pray write soon. London is now Petersburg;
'it freezes under our beds with shutters closed and curtains
drawn. Bro. Ben.'s new house at S. Lambeth was last Sunday
Archangel, with therm, at eleven, and every thing ice and
snow.

Yrs. affect.

GIL. WHITE.

My love to my sister.

Look in Anacreon's Ode 43, and see if it affords any apt
motto for insects in general. I have been to Mr. Grimm*, and
am better pleased with his performances than I expected, and
think I must send for him next summer. Bro. Th. talks of
employing him some time hence. Excuse ; we are called to
supper.

* [Samuel Henry Grimm, the artist who was employed by Gilbert
White to draw the landscape illustrations of his book, was a native of
Berghorff, in the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland ; but the greater part
of his life was spent in England. He contributed to the 'History of
Selborne ' the vignette of the " Hermitage " in the title-page, both views
of the church, the Temple, and the Pleystow. Whether the large folding
frontispiece was drawn by him is uncertain, as no artist's name appears
on it ; but the style, both of the figures and the landscape, is much in the
same character as his other drawings. He died in London, about 1794.
— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 49

LETTER XXII.

Thames Street, Feb. 27.
DEAR BROTHER,

MANY thanks for your letter of the 18th, and for your extract
from Reaumur. We all much approve of what you intend to
inscribe to the Archbishop, thinking it neat and polite ; but,
like yourself, we do not much like your title page. Brother
Ben says he thinks that " Hist. Nat. : Observations in Lat*
36°," should all be left out, and that it should begin with
" An Essay," &c. : but it is not worth while to be solicitous
about a title page. Swift says, " for a title page consult your
bookseller." But the term "Fauna Calp" they judged to
be too quaint and pedantic for the beginning of a title ; yet,
I think, must by no means be sunk, for the following reason,
because I believe you have always told LinnaBus that you
should call your book by that name ; and therefore if he
mentions your work in his last edition (as he certainly will)
you will lose all the credit to be derived from such notice of
you, if you mention no such title. Supposing Linn, to be
dead, there can be no doubt that his son will put forth the
new edition. By what we remember of the specimen of
your work, we thought some articles too diffuse. It is
natural for you to fall a little into this extreme from the
regard you express for Reaumur, since all the French in
Nat. Hist, are very circumstantial. Be so good as not to
forestall my cobweb shower. I wish I had two or three dozen
more of such anecdotes. An engraver has been with me ;
and I have been talking with him about his taking off 5 or 6
of my drawings : he says that my 4to drawings cannot be
well executed under 8 guineas a piece : now 5 times eight is
forty I Grimm is reducing my Hermitage-view in order to
bring it to a proper size for a vignette* : he is also to take it in
a large scale for bro. Hen.

* [This forms the vignette in both the quarto editions. — T. B.]
VOL. II. E

50 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

You will see in the papers a remarkable cause in the com-
mons between a patron and a rector who took two distant
perpetual curacies ; the matter was determined in favor of the
rector : had it gone against him the rector of Fyfleld would
have had cause to quake. I propose staying in town 'til the
14th of March. Respects to my sister.

Your affect, brother,

GIL. WHITE.

If you think the mention of your degree of A.B. will occa-
sion any inconvenience, you may easily drop it. Brother Tho.
waits on the dean of Ely tomorrow at Lambeth : and will be
sure to desire him to represent you and Harry in a favorable
light to the new Bishop of Chester. Poor Nanny White de-
clines very fast, and is in a very languishing state *.

LETTER XXIII.

Thames Street, March 5, 1776.
DEAR BROTHER,

BROTHER Tho. and I both think that you should yourself
write to the Archbishop one of your best letters, and beg to
know of him whether you might dedicate to him, and tell him
the reason why ; and then you will act on sure grounds. If
you are not permitted, you might mention the Gen. in your
preface.

Brown, I think, is in gaol in St. George's Fields ; but artists
never work more steadily than when under confinement,
Forster has just received a letter from Linnaeus, who wants to
publish a new Mantissa of plants in England. Brother Benj.
declines meddling. Forster says that when you write to
Linn, you should direct to him not as professor at Upsal, but
as academician, since all such letters go free, because the
academy is of royal institution. Forster's new genera of

* [After many fluctuations in the state of her health, she died in
October 1777. See page 64.— T. B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 51

Antarctic plants do not sell : so that the Skinneria, the Shef-
fieldia, the Barringtonia are like to sleep. Botanists think
they shall never see the originals : and other readers care not
a farthing about the matter. I marvel at the mildness of your
weather in January. I told you, I think, that on the 31st my
therm, was ^ below 0. There seems to have been a peculiarly
severe current at Selborne. Mr. Y.* was so supine as never to
put his therm, out ! The therm, at S. Lambeth was at 6, at
Fyfield 15, at Lyndon 19 ; in London areas at 20. We join
in respects. I return home next wreek.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

Nanny White rides out at her father's country-house every
day, and improves wonderfully. Molly White is at Cam-
bridge.

Bro. Henry went away in January before the snow was
melted and went through between high walls of that meteor.
Bro. Tho. by no means approves of your title of " Zool. Anec-
dotes ;" he thinks the latter too mean and unworthy a great
book. He neither thinks that you should say, " The Nat.
Hist, of the quadrup. birds, fishes and insects of Southern
Spain," with &c. We wish also that you would throw some-
thing savoury into your title page concerning migration ; for
many readers pay attention to that circumstance, without re-
garding any other parts of Nat. Hist. Say what you can
concerning vegetation; for the love of such knowledge in-
creases. Even Bishops (your Bishop in particular), in order
to recommend themselves, study botany. Mr. Curtis says,
that men from the other end of the town call on him in their
coaches to desire private lectures for grown gentlemen.

But your bookseller, at last, will be your best adviser
respecting a title page ; for such men best understand the
pulse of the publick. Pray write to Selborne not long hence.
Jack should send me an account of the therm, at Manchester.
Mr. Lever has custom at his shop ; but whether adequate to
his boundless views, no man can guess. He is furnishing the

* [Mr. Yalden, Vicar of Newton.— T. B.]

E2

52 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

whole house with specimens ; still " Some Demon whispers,
Bubo, have a taste" *.

Sir Tho. Gatehouse is ruined, and locked up in a garret
here in town for fear of his creditors ; and his lady, who
brought a £1000 per aim., will for his life he reduced to
poverty ! !

LETTER XXIV.

Fyfield, May 15, 1776.

BEAK BROTHER,

BROTHER Thomas and his daughter have heen with me for a
week : yesterday we all three came down to this place, and
found all well.

As I had got a frank for you, I thought it best to take it
down with us, that all that had occasion might make use of it
together.

Forster was presented to his doctor's degree at Oxford on
account of his literary fame, and because he had hazarded
his life in a circumnavigation in the pursuit of natural know-
ledge.

Pray write to Linn. ; for if he only tells you of your new
genera, &c., and affixes no names, he leaves you in the lurch ;
direct to him as an Academician, for reasons assigned in a
former letter f.

We are glad you find your heavy duty so easy ; for what
is paid to curates is all neat money and occasions considerable
deductions from a moderate living. Holdsworth I have pro-
cured ; but I can't say the work gives me so much pleasure
as it seems to have afforded you. I did not find so many
genuine criticisms drawn from the face of the country and the
modern practices in husbandry as I expected, but rather a
collection of parallel passages from Cato and Columella. So
much easier is it to compile, than to advance fresh remarks.

* " Some demon whispers, ' Visto have a taste.' " — POPE'S Essays.
t [Linnaeus' s second and most severe attack of apoplexy occurred about
this time.— T. B.]

THE 11KV. JOHN WITITE. :}.->

Mi\ Yalden will not probably sot out for Spain 'til next
spring : I shall exhort him by all moans to tako your recom-
mendations in his pocket. He is a decent zoologist, and
particularly an entomologist. He is returned, I hear, from
Edinburgh to Winton.

Your quantity of drawings, I find, are considerable; no
doubt they should be engraved in London. As to your botany
it should be carefully overlooked by somebody ; in the zoolo-
gical part your powers are much more considerable and you
want only a friend, as all men do, just to remark those small
errors or slips which " incuriafudit"

You are the best judge whether you should address Mrs.
Cornwallis ; if you do, you may express your regard for her hus-
band with more warmth than if he was living : Quis desiderio
sit pudor ant modus ? Send me some account of the Hippo-
losca hirundinis at your leisure.

Harry's little academy is in a flourishing way ; he will, it
is too probable, lose his £100 young gent, at Midsummer;
but then at that time he is to have a fresh pupil of 14 years
of age at £150 per annum. His building has been heavy on
him ; but without considerable additions he could not have
stood on the present footing. So one must be set against the
the other. We are much distressed in Hants by the long dry
season ; no grass, and a poor prospect for spring corn ; butter
lOd. per pound, and hay at £4 10s. per ton !

Mr. Chandler's stile and wording is very lame and defective
indeed. Sir Tho. Gatehouse's eftects are just sold off at both
his seats. My respects to my sister and Jack; "John" I
mean, now he is six feet high. You cannot take another living
without becoming A.M. or LL.B., both which degrees will
require time, attendance, and expense ; if you take a second
living now, you render your first void ipso facto.

The bloom on all sorts of trees is this year very extraordinary
indeed !

At present I think of sending for Grimm about the begin-
ning of July : I may employ him for perhaps a month. Mr.
Yalden of Newton then talks of taking him for a week to draw
his house and outlet ; and then he is to go to Penruddock

54 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

Wyndham, Esq., at Warnford. So he will have a good stroke
of work. His price is two guineas and an half per week.
His buildings, human figures, quadrupeds, waters, perspec-
tive among trees are good ; but his trees are not so pleasing :
he has also a vein of humour ; but that I shall not allow him
to call forth, as all my plates must be serious. At the last
exhibition he produced some very good drawings.

Harry's outlet is now very neat and beautiful. Capt. Shaw
is but just gone from Farnham. I called on him in my return
from town : he seemed inclined I thought to make me a visit ;
but he never came. Mrs. Etty has been very ill indeed since
her lying-in, but is getting better ; she has got another son,
Avhose name is Simeon.

LETTER XXV.

Munstoke, Aug. 9, 1776.
DEAR BEOTHEB,

BY your unusual silence I began to fear what has really been
the case, ill health. You have perhaps by your attention to
your book and other matters been too free with your consti-
tution lately; you must therefore relax a little and allow
yourself more time for riding and walking. Particularly, I
think, you should avoid contention though in ever so good a
cause ; for any earnest agitation of the mind is bad for the
stomach.

Lucomb's oak, we think, will at last probably turn out the
Queen's cegilops * : but this matter cannot well be determined
'til it comes to bear fruit. It carries its leaf all the winter in
Devon, but casts it at Selborne, Essex, and elsewhere, and is
probably a deciduous tree. Perhaps your Homo sapiens may
be too close a copying of the Linn, system, and may appear
pedantic to an anti-Linn, reader. I by no means want the

* [ Quercus luconibeana. Of this fine species there are figures and a full
description in London's ' Arboretum/ vol. iii. p. 1852. Certainly distinct
from cegilops. — T.B.]

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 55

1 1 i I >l>ol)osca hirund. just at any one particular day or week ;
only wish to see it at your leisure. Mr. Grimm was with mo
just twenty-eight days; twenty-four of which he worked very
hard and shewed good specimens of his genius, assiduity and
modest behaviour, much to my satisfaction. He finished for
me twelve views. He first of all sketches his scapes with a
lead pencil ; then he pens them all over, as he calls it, with
indian-ink, rubbing out the superfluous pencil strokes ; then
he gives a charming shading with a brush dipped in indian-
ink, and last he throws a light tinge of water colour over the
whole. The scapes, many of them at least, looked so lovely
in their indian-ink shading, that it was with difficulty the
artist could prevail on me to permit him to tinge them ; as 1
feared those colours might puzzle the engravers; but he
assured me to the contrary. From me Mr. Grimm went to
Mr. Yalden to take a scape of his outlet from above the
chalkpit. On Tuesday I brought my artist (at the desire of a
gent, who was visiting there) to Lord Clanricarde's at
Warnford, that he might take a drawing of an old building
in his lordship's garden, now a barn : it is a curious piece of
antiquity little known, and will prove an agreeable surprise to
many as I am sure it was to me, who never heard the least of
the matter before.

There is some reason to fear that Mr. Halliday's father may
be taken by the American privateers in his passage home from
Antigua.

Mulso has just got a second living near Winton ; the name
of it is Easton, it is worth £250 per annum. Our St. foin
was finely made, then we had a dripping time that spoiled
much clover, and some meadow-hay; and for the last fort-
night in July we had glorious weather to finish off the
meadow: now harvest is beginning and the weather dripping.
Mr. and Mrs. Mulso join in respects. I saw one swift yester-
day. At present I cannot say when I shall be at liberty to
wait upon you and my sister ; but you may be assured that I
wish to have it in my power to see Blackburn. I conclude,

Your affectionate brother,

GIL. WHITE.

56 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

LETTER XXYI.

Oxford, October *.
DEAR BROTHER,

Your letter of October 2d arrived just as I was prepared to
set out for this place, to which I was called a day or two
sooner than I intended on "account of the Univ. election. I
left Bro. Thos. behind at my own house, and Bro. Ben. at
Newton, intending to club for a post chaise in a day or two,
and to return to town. Bro. Thos. has been bathing in the
salt water at Lymington for rheumatic complaints. Poor
Nanny White has been rather better for a day or two past,
and has rested, and shewed a little appetite, and slept a little ;
so that her friends were willing to natter themselves that her
illness might take a better turn. She never had any cough.

I heartily wish it was as much in my power as in my incli-
nation to assist you in the concern you mention. As to Mr.
Hill, I never heard of him but at Fyfield, and therefore can
only echo my Bro. Harry with regard to his business and
reputation. He has, it seems, a partner, concerning whom it
will be as needful to enquire as about the principal. There is
also a Mr. Baverstock at Marlboro' (one of the Baverstocks of
Alton), a man in a flourishing way, with whom Bro. Ben. is
acquainted, who should be asked concerning the circumstances,
temper, &c. of Mr. Hill ; and the common trite observation,
that there is somewhat of adventure and hazard when a man
strikes out into many businesses, should not be totally disre-
garded. The variety and extent of the business must more-
over occasion the absence of the Mr. and subject his people
to be left pretty much to themselves. These matters I have
thrown together as they occur, though no doubt they have
all been considered well by you before.

As to the business of my journey I have carryed it con-

* [There is no date of the year in which this letter was written. — •
T. B.]

TIIH RI«:V. JOHN WHITE. 57

tinually in my mind, and have been still labouring the point.
As to my neigh. Robertson of East Tisted, he is very willing
and desirous to help me ; but then he has it not in his power
without he can find somebody to take one of his churches off
his hands. He has met lately with a person that wavers about
it, and will send him a final answer soon. Upon this contin-
gency at present does my Lan. visit seem to hang. Pray
write soon. I return hence on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Respects
to my sister.

Your affect, brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Fine weather for a week, after astonishing rains.

LETTER XXVII.

Fyfield, Nov. 12, 1776.
DEAR BROTHER,

As you have experienced so often how very necessary exercise
is for your health, you will no doubt be careful how any avo-
cation or pursuit, how laudable soever, shall again interrupt
that regimen so essentially needful. Our bro. Thos. has found
vast benefit from his journey to Bath ; the waters and the
bathing have quite quite removed for the present both his in-
ternal and his external ails. He advises, I find, if your
rheumatism returns, a journey to Buxton. Jack is very tall
indeed ! but if he continues healthy, it will be esteemed an
advantage to be a well-grown man. You have never told me
whether he was bound for five or seven years.

With respect to your MS., you seem a cup too low, and do
not assume the importance of an author. If Mr. P.* had got
such a work ready, he would feel little diffidence, and would
expect it would produce some money. If you desire it, I shall
be willing to look it over, and perhaps Bro. Thos. will do the
same when at leisure. By what I saw, perhaps some articles

* [Doubtless u Pennant."— T. B.]

58 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

may be thought too long. The whale fishery is a fine new
circumstance, and worthy of a national attention, especially
as we may soon possibly have nothing to do with the N.
American seas. But in such narrow limits, and so warm a cli-
mate, how can such an offensive occupation be carryed on
without proving a vast nuisance to the garrison ? Train-oil and
whales' flesh must smell very vigorously in lat. 36. How wise
have all the naturalists proved themselves to be by laying it
down for granted that there were no whales in the Mediterra-
nean*.

Last night my bro. received a letter from the attorney near
Manchester, who wishes to be curate of Darwenf. He is
urgent for matters to be brought to a bargain. Sure the in-
junctions and provisions against simony have never reached
your part of the world. If disappointed, he will not, I hope,
stir up a clamour against the southern non-resident.

D — is with me ; he is good natured, but somewhat heady
at times. It is well he is intended for trade, since he loves
anything better than book : bodily labour he does not spare ;
for rolling, wheeling, water-drawing, grass-walk sweeping
are his delight. I have taught him to ride ; and perhaps a
good seat on an horse may be more useful to him than Virgil
or Horace. I tryed Pha3drus, but my patience fail'd. How-
ever, he may procure health and strength and a little behaviour
at my house. We all join in respects.

Yrs. affect.

GIL. WHITE.

My brother's outlet is still pleasing.

* [The occurrence of Whales in the Mediterranean can only have
been fortuitous, and could not have led to the establishment of a regular
trade as here alluded to. — T. B.]

t [Darwen, a township in the parish of Blackburn, of which parish
John White was incumbent, and in whose hands the appointment rested.
— T. B.J

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 00

LETTER XXVIII.

Selborne, May 4.
DEAR BROTHER,

I SHOULD have wished that you had found your book more
marketable, and that you could have sold it outright. Yet if
Benj. offers to join, it looks as if he did not fear the want of
success in the publication ; besides booksellers have ways and
means of subscribing off among the trade, in which authors

O O /

cannot avail themselves.

My thanks are due for your calling on Edni. Woods, who
will, I think, soon supply me with some windows. I wish I
could prevail on you to come down and spend a little time
with us, before you return northward.

As soon as I got to town I sent your hortus siccus by my
bro. Thos.'s boy to Mr. Curtis's own house, and was in hopes
he would have examined the plants.

No swifts appear yet, tho' we have soft weather. My left
hand is full of gout ; all my fingers look red and shoot and
burn. If I have gout about me, it is best to come out. I hope
you found and left Mrs. Snooke well.

The spirit of building prevails much in this district :
Rich. Butler the thatcher is going to enlarge his house ; John
Bridger of Oakhanger builds a new one next spring ; and Mr,
P. of Rotherfield began pulling down yesterday.

" The child that is unborn may rue
The putting of that day."

I am your loving brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Pray write often, and let me know what steps you take re-
specting your book.

00 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

LETTER XXIX.

Selborne, July 16, 1777.
DEAR BROTHER,

SOMEHOW or other I had persuaded myself that you were to
write first ; and having little to say as we had seen each other
so lately, I thought I would stay 'till you gave the challenge,
before I attacked you with an epistle.

As yet I have not seen your w^ork, but shall peruse it
with pleasure as soon as brother Thomas brings it. But he is
going to bathe on the coast of Dorset for a few weeks. As I
hoped and expected to see you derive some credit and emolu-
ment from your labours, I was sorry to hear that the whole
pursuit is thrown aside for the present in some degree of dis-
gust and chagrin. One thing I could never understand ; and
that is, you fiay in a former letter "that having so near a
relation a bookseller, should you not agree with him about
terms, no other publisher would meddle with your work,
because your relation is one of the first editors in the natural
history way." Now the force of this argument I could never
see ; for Cadell or any other man would be influenced alone
by his own judgment, and, if he saw merit in the work and
an interesting subject, would little regard, I should think,
another person's sentiments. Unless you have experienced
the inconvenience that you thought you foresaw, your sus-
picions were probably wrong.

The roof of my great parlor is finished ; and my walls in a
few days will be up to their proper pitch ; so that we shall
soon proceed to rearing. You do well in removing the earth
that lies above your floors : I have taken away much for the
same reason. I have not seen the Clergy Act, but am assured
that it has nothing to do with residence; there is nothing com-
pulsive in it, but it enables the clergy to borrow money on their
livings, which they may lay out on the repairs of their houses,
&c., and so exempt their representatives at their deaths from

THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 01

heavy delapidations. For the money borrowed the resident
incumbent is to pay five per cent, and some small proportion
of the principal! off annually ; a non-resident must pay ten per
cent. : and when the borrower dies the residue remains a debt
on the living 'till by degrees it is j>ayed off. Mr. Etty, as far
as he knows of the matter yet, for neither has he seen the act,
approves much of the plan, and thinks he may avail himself of
the matter so as to save himself from heavy demands on his
family at his death. * * * *

We had wet weather all the month of May ; but from the
10th of June to the 9th of July it was the strangest summer
solstice I ever saw — nothing but wind and floods and clouds
and wintry doings, so that we kept fires in the parlor most
part of the time. We have now sweet weather.

I

Respects to my sister. Yours, &c.,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XXX.

Ringmer, Sept. 11, 1777.

DEAR BROTHER,

BEING informed that Mrs. Snooke was seized with the palsy,
and hud lost the use of one side, and that her speech was much
impaired, and moreover that she was alone by herself without
any friend ; I set out at a day's warning, though surrounded
with workmen, and arrived here late last Saturday evening.
I found the poor old lady in a low languishing state, though
better, the people about her told me, than she had been some
days before. The next morning she was much mended, and
has continued to mend so fast every day that she is become
quite another woman ; and Mr. Manning informed me this
morning that he has now good hopes of a recovery.

Brother Harry brought your MS. to Selborne the first week
in August ; but, what between an hurry of business, company,
and building, I have been able as yet to pay little attention to
it. Yet, though I have not payed it that regard which I ought,

02 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

a visitor of mine has read it through with great care, and, if
I may judge from the many hours he bestowed upon it each
day, should suppose he was well pleased. The person alluded
to is Dr. Chandler the traveller in Greece, who being no
naturalist has no partiality for the Linnaean system, but
avers that it will prevent your book from becoming popular.
He and I had much serious talk about the matter ; and he
asserts roundly that he is sure that if you could persuade
yourself to divest it of its quaint garb (those were his words)
that he is certain it would be worth £200 of anybody's money.
He advises (no, he does not, for he spoke writh great modesty
on the occasion ; he hints, I should say) that if you could pre-
vail on yourself to exchange Classes and Ordines for Chapters,
and to throw all your tables back into an appendix, that your
book would be very much read. The generality of readers, he
observes, are very lazy, and afraid of figures ; though your
tables, he thinks, may be pleasing and useful to some. He
farther added that you might still refer to Linnaeus, &c. at the
bottom of each page. And I have observed myself that book-
sellers lately in new editions in natural works have added
Linnasan names : and the reason is, because, though it is the
fashion now to despise Linnaaus, yet many languish privately
to understand his method.

Pray weigh seriously what I have said, and consider about
the Doctor's £200. You have not been informed, I think,
that John Wells has at last consented to sell me the fields
behind my house, that angulus iste which the family have so
long desired. For this little farm I have laid down some
money in part payment ; so hope no untoward accident will
now deprive me of it. With respects to my sister,

I remain

Your affect, brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Pray write to Selborne, where I hope to be soon.

Till-: REV. JOHN WHITE. 63

LETTER XXXI.*

Selborne, Oct. 31, 1777.
DEAK BROTHER,

HAD I not been called the beginning of this month to Oxford,
where I spent all my time either in college business, or in-
specting and transcribing by means of an amanuensis many
curious papers from the archives of Magdalen College, relative
to the antiquities of Selborne, you had heard from me some
time ago. In my pursuits as an antiquary Dr. Chandler has
been wonderfully friendly, and communicative ; and my dis-
coveries about this place are very great : we examined 366
parchments.

I have now read your work, all but the entomology, once
over, and am proceeding to read several parts twice over.
In the whole I much approve of your book. Your preface is
neat ; your history is what I call true natural history, because
it abounds with anecdote and circumstance ; and I verily think
your dissertations on the Hirundines are the best tracts I ever
saw of the kind, as they throw much light on the dark but
curious business of migration, and possess such merit as alone
might keep any book from sinking. If consulted, I therefore
protest loudly against the intention of throwing your papers
aside ; .for I think in a thousand instances they will delight a
good naturalist. I therefore pronounce, as the Vice-Chan-
cellor of Oxon does on similar occasions, imprimatur. But
then, to act as an impartial critic, I must also say that some-
times (and others think so as well as myself) your language
is rather diffuse, and your sentences too long ; and what I most
wonder at is, that at times you not only use the same verb or
its derivations 5 or 6 times in a paragraph, but sometimes
twice or thrice in the same sentence. Being jealous of the

* [This appears to be the last letter to John White. On his decease
the widow came to live with Gilbert, with whom she remained till hia
death.— T. B.]

64 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER

honor of your work, I cannot admit of these inaccuracies, and
have therefore presumed to amend some of them, but with
what success I must leave you to judge; I must therefore de-
sire you, who are so perfectly capable, to bestow a fresh and
severe inspection on the language.

Brother Thomas is now in town ; and I wish you would
desire him to send me down your ( Entomology,' which I long
to see. No wonder that you did not much relish Dr. Chand-
ler's proposal of rejecting all system: the reason of sending
you that advice was that I thought then that system was the
stumbling-block between you and your chapman ; but now I
plainly perceive that warm words and some heats have arisen
between you, which I hope will all soon be forgotten. Indeed
I wonder that in these days any work should stick on hand of
your sort, as I cannot but think that it might sell. Would
it not therefore be best to make fresh advances in Fleet
Street, and so set your work a-going in some way.

When you print, pray correct the press yourself; pray,
before every class give an explanation of terms : Linnaeus does
so ; and I think by this means the town might be led on gently
to relish Linn, terms. But without a glossary how should
men know what the lorum of a bird is ! No wonder Linnasus
does not answer your letters : poor man, he has grown child-
ish * I Poor Nanny White was buried last Monday night in
this churchyard ; she dyed at S. Lambeth f. If you lend money
on private security, pray be careful. Jack I hope will write
to me about the earthquake. Brother Thomas has tfie best
interest with Mr. Lort ; I have none. Next week I put in
my sashes, and proceed to ceiling and plastering my great
parlor. Our weather is very tempestuous. The glass yester-
day at 28'375. My best respects to my sister.

Your affect.

GIL. WHITE.

* [This was after his second attack of apoplexy. — T. B.]
t [She was the daughter of Benjamin White and was twenty-one
years of age when she died. — T. B.]

LETTER FEOM JOHN WHITE

TO

HIS BROTHER GILBERT*.

I HAVE sent brother Benj. word of what Linn, says about his
new edition. This roundabout method will dispatch nothing.
Brother B. must write his own proposals, if he means to deal
with him at all. Surely you and I could manage to correct
the press ; at least in the Zoological part ; the Botanical I
must not pretend to.

Have you any queries to ask Linn, before I write again ?
You see he is willing to communicate, though busy enough.

This new enterprize of my friend Lever's disturbs me on
many accounts. In the first place, I wish'd you to see the
Museum in its native spot, Alkrington ; in the next it will be
gone from this country, of which it was one of the greatest
ornaments ; and thirdly it will rob me, I fear, of my friendly
neighbour for a great part of the year. I heard from him
immediately on his arrival in London. His plan is, he says,
" to pursue Nat. Hist, and carry the exhibition of it to such a
height as no one can imagine ; and to make it the most won-
derful sight in the world."

Upon this plan I think he is right to exhibit in London,
where he will not only collect with more speed, but also make
the thing defray its own expences, which no private fortune
alone could possibly equal. If you can send the drawings to

* [This is the only letter from John White to his brother which I
have ever seen, with the exception of one which relates exclusively to
private family matters, and was written from Gibraltar, and is mentioned
in the Memoir. The above letter was probably written in 1776. — T. B.]

VOL. II. F

66 LETTER FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE.

town while Mr. Lever is there, he will bring them. I shall go
to see him as he returns.

What leisure time I have I employ in collecting insects,
which I have promised Mr. Barrington as a beginning of his
' Fauna Britannica.' I wish Jacky would pick up all the variety
that he can, put them into spirits, and there let them remain
till I can get them. Pray examine your sands for the Myr-
meleon. If in England I know no likelier place. Why
should not England have it as well as Sweden ? * * * I now
recollect that I promised some remarks on your Swift in my
next. I have a few observations to make on that bird, but
no criticism on your dissertation ; and therefore I thought
you would be better pleased to see Linnseus's letter.

I am drawing towards the conclusion of my insects ; and
shall then proceed to the quadrupeds, birds, and fishes. After
all there must be a general correction and transcript of the
whole, which will be no small undertaking.

We have had a sad, gloomy, wet, chilly season. We are
now sitting over a fire. I have brush'd up my house as spruce
as if it were for sale ; but it is to give you as agreeable an idea
of Lancashire as I can. * * *

Mrs. White is well, and joins in best wishes and respects
with, dear brother,

Your most oblig'd and affect.

J. W.

[It was proposed at one time that a new edition of the 'Systema
Naturaa ' should be published in this country by Benjamin White. The
discussion of this project will be found in the correspondence between
John White and Linnaeus, in the letters numbered from IV. to IX. inclu-
sive. It was approved by John White, but positively declined by Ben-
jamin upon commercial grounds. For similar reasons he refused to
undertake a new edition of Linnaeus's { Mantissa Plantarum.' As this
proposition was made in the year 1776 (the former edition, termed
4 Mantissa altera,' having been published in 1771), it could scarcely have
been done with the author's knowledge, as he was in that year suffering
from a second attack of apoplexy, which had impaired his mental powers,
rendering him a very distressing object. This melancholy circumstance
is alluded to by Gilbert White in his letter to his brother John of the
date of October 31, 1777, as the cause of Linnaeus's not writing to him.
— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

*

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINN.EUS.
LETTER I.

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LINN.EUS.

Gibraltar, June 30, 1771.

SIR,

BE pleased to permit an humble admirer of your works, and
a lover of that study which your labours have rendered almost
universal throughout Europe, to present you with a small
specimen of his attempts to collect and class the animal pro-
ductions of Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Having
resided some years in this place, and been lately furnished
with your admirable writings from my friends in England,
and also with those of Ray, Scopoli, Geoffrey, Buffon, and
others, I thought it might be some satisfaction to ah1 real lovers
of Natural Knowledge to see the several productions of this cli-
mate examined and displayed with some more accuracy than
has yet been done by travellers, who generally treat on Natural
History in a superficial way, and leave it the most defective
part of their works. My researches have hitherto been con-
fined to this fortress and its environs, as the duties of my
function require my constant residence in the place. I hope
to be able ere long to produce a tolerable ' Fauna Calpensis,' as
an introductory essay, and, if it please God to grant me health
and opportunity, to extend my plan by degrees. Your can-
dour and humanity will pardon the errors and defects of an
unexperienced adventurer, in consideration of his not uncom-«

F 2

68 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

mendable intentions; and if he may be so happy as to be
honored with the instructions of so great a master, he humbly
hopes to approve himself not altogether an unworthy disciple.

As Mr. Stenbeck, the gentleman who does me the favour to
take charge of this letter, intends to travel by land, I could
not burden him with anything of greater bulk than one small
phial ; wherein I have ventured to send a few of the most re-
markable insects which I have collected this summer. The
large Hymenopt. which I suppose to be the Vespa crabroni
congener of Ray, seems also to answer to your Sphex bidens,
except that it wants the petiolus elongatus. The four speci-
mens which I send differ much from each other, and I judge
them to be the two sexes of two species. They have a most
remarkable difference in their sting (aculeus), those with the
longest antennae having the aculeus tridentatus exsertus, the
others aculeus simplex reconditus. The Panorpa coa cannot
abound more in that island than it does in this province. The
Gryllus turritus is not less frequent : antennae ensiformes in
all. The other large insect without wings I am unable to
class. It resembles the Mantis genus in form of the body
and legs ; but has not caput nutans. Nor can I reconcile it
with any Grylli. Sphex mauritanica is common here ; also
Sphex spirifer, — -fasipes, clavipes, appendig aster. Of the latter
I send two. I send likewise two species of Clirysis : your
Chrysis bidentata is frequent, but I have no specimens now ;
and several Apes (Bees), of which I cannot ascertain the species,
except Apis violacea. Mutillce are not uncommon here. I send
one, which seems to differ from those in the i Syst. Nat.' by the
spot on the head and abdomen. The large Coleopt. is very
common here, and resembles the Lucanus cervus in its general
form ; but it has not the antennae of that genus, nor does it
ever fly. A much smaller species of the same insect inhabits
the sea-coast, where it devours the small Cancer pulex. I
have sent a Cancer brachyurus thorace latvi, lateribus 3-spinosis,
which I find not mentioned in your i Syst. Nat.'

If any of these articles should be in the least worthy your
notice and acceptance, I shall be happy in having communi-
cated them, and shall be equally ready to supply you with any

KEV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 69

other of the productions of these climates which you may wish
to see. I have made a considerable collection of the birds,
amphibia, and fishes, and remarked the circumstances of their
migrations. The Hirundo melba breeds in thousands on this
rock. The Hir. rupestris caudd emarginatd non forcipatd of
Scopoli breeds in the inland mountains of Andalusia and Gre-
nada, and in the winter, when those mountains are covered
with snow, resides regularly on these coasts, and migrates for
a short time only into Barbary. The Hir.pratincoldj Trachelia
of Scopoli, sometimes appears in this country *. Alauda calan-
dra and Turdus arundinaceus, orjunco, breed common in Spain
and Barbary. Turdus cyanus, or solitarius, abounds on this
rock. Also another species of Turdus, which I cannot find
in any author ; it is in all parts of a glossy black except the
uropygium and rectrices, which are snow-white, tipped with
black. Upupa epops, Oriolus galbula, Merops apiaster, Junx
torquilla, Phcenicopterus, visit us annually in the spring ; Cha-
radrius cedicnemus in the winter. Among the fishes the most
remarkable are the Lepidopus and Lepadogaster, two new genera
of Dr. Gouan. The former is generally about six feet long,
and comes from the ocean in summer in abundance. This
species has the caudal fin forked, not subulate as described by
Dr. Gouan. As for other parts of Nat. Hist., I have for some
years kept a journal of the winds and weather, and variations
of the thermometer and barometer, and measured the quanti-
ties of rain fallen this last year. I have also attempted some-
thing of a Flora, or state of the vegetable world during each
month in the year ; but I am at present not sufficiently con-
versant in Botany to make much progress in that branch.

But if from these loose hints you should be pleased to judge
it to be in my power to furnish you with any satisfactory in-
telligence from this part of the world, you will give me great
pleasure in honouring me with your commands. And what-
ever instructions you may choose to favour me with, be pleased
to make use of the following address by any ships bound to
London, " To the Rev. Mr. John White, to the care of Mr.
White, Bookseller in Fleet Street, London."

* [ Glareola pratincola of modern naturalists.]

70 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

This Mr. White in London is my brother, and will very
punctually forward anything to Gibraltar.

I must now beg your pardon for the liberty I have thus
taken to trouble you with intelligence which to a person of
your extraordinary experience may be but trifling. However,
should any part of it prove in the least degree acceptable , it
cannot fail of giving much satisfaction to, good Sir,
Your sincere admirer,

And devoted humble servant,

JOHN WHITE.

Be pleased to write to me in any of the following languages,
English, Latin, French, or Italian.

LETTEE II.*

FKOM LINNAEUS TO THE REV. JOHN WHITE.

YIRO REVERENDISSIMO DNO. JOHANN. WHITE

S. pi. d.
CAR. LINNE.

LITERAS tuas Y. R. die 30 Junii ante octiduum plane con-
sternatus aperui, dum tu, cui nunquam mihi fortuna innotes-
cere concessit, mihi offers tuam gratiam, tuasque divitias
naturalium rerum. Mihi verba deficiunt explicandum affec-
tum meum sincerum in virum tanto virtutis robore. Gratulor
scientiae quam ambo in deliciis habemus, quod qui fata rerum
gubernat, te excitaverit in admirationem mundani operis
Artificis. Nullum ego novi in regione quam inhabitas cui
Deus antea concessit apertos oculos intueri naturalia, ubi con-
currunt Hispanicse, LusitanicaB, Barbarise plantae, insecta,
aves, reliquaque animalia; adfretum penetrabunt pisces omnes
qui ex oceano in M. Mediterraneum ire et redire debent.

* [This letter was printed in ' Contributions to Ornithology,' ] 849,
pp. 28, 29,— A, N.]

REV, JOHX WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 71

Tu, profccto, si in Europa ullus, videbis plurima Creatoris
miracula.

Piscium nominatorum nullum majori desiderio examinarem,
quam Lepadogastrum, cujus ideam nequeo mihi a Gouani
opere rite formare, ut certus evadam, utrum novum format
genus necne.

Hodie accipio lagenulam, a te generosissime mihi oblatam,
in qua reperio rarissima tua insecta.

Sphex ista cum maculis 4 dorsalibus abdominis a me nun-
quam antea visa fuit. Addidisti et ejus varietates cum capite
variegate, cum antennis luteis, cum maculis dorsalibus tantum
duabus.

Sphex altera non minus rara et admodum singularis alis
(laciniatis, s. erosis ?) ferrugineis, apice nigris : neque ilia a
me visa fuit.

Mutilla an apud vos frequens? hie rarissima: an innotuerit
ejus oeconomia ? habeo jam earn alatam.

Chrysis species varias vidi : sed quid in his sit sexus dif-
ferentia non potui adhuc addiscere.

Gryllus turritus ad me antea tantum e Barbaria missus fuit.
Adhuc hsesito de sexu. Alia mea individua habent antennas
magnas ensiformes ; alia antennas minutas setaceas : quaeso
inquiras in tuis Gryllis turritis, num uterque sexus habent
similes antennas.

Tabanus iste forma muscas ibidem mihi novus, et rarissimus
fuit.

Panorpa coa, cum vobis vulgatissima, omnium in votis
esset, ejus metamorphosin habere notissimam.

Gryllus turritus habet caput acuminatum, sed os versus
terram, adeoq. nutans dici potest.

Nee Sphex fasipes, neque clavipes erat^ in vitro, quas in-
clusas scribis.

Chrysis tua viridis, ano csBruleo, videtur nova species.

Mutilla tua vix di versa est a mea.

Lucanus tuus erat Lucanus parallelepipedes.

Cancer lateribus trispinosis mihi antea non visus fuit.

Si unquam capere posses, et me donare velles, Pratincola
Trachelia esset mihi munus quod cum Lepadogastro pra? reli-

72 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

quis maxime delectarer. Traclieliam aliquis mihi dixit debere
amandari ad Hirundines : sed maxime adhuc dubito de
veritate *.

Pennant a te dives factus fuit raris naturae cimeliis.

Utinam possem aliquid tibi praestare pro tanto dono ;
anxius ero.

Upsalise, 1772, 20 Januarii.

LETTER Ill.f

FROM LINNAEUS TO THE REV. JOHN WHITE.

VIRO REVERENDISSIMO Do. Jo. WHITE

S. pi. d. CAKOL. LINNE,

ACCEPI nuper Thesaurum tuum vere aureum, missuin d. 13
Mali ; nee gratiorem unquam. Quibus verbis tuam in me
praedicabo gratiam effari nequeo.

Aviculas tuas rarissimas antea non vidi : eas studebo
diligenter, ubi museo s, bibliothecse reditus, qui nunc ruri
sestivo.

Hirundo melba, quam antea non vidi, aifinis Hirund. apod.

Hirundo rupestris mihi antea ignota, vere distincta.

Coturnix tridactylus J : an ex ordine Gallinamm aut Gral-
larum ?

Motacilla Tithys § longe a me& aliena.

* [In a letter to Pennant (March 19, 1772) I find the following allu-
sion to this letter. <• When I came to London I found a long letter from
Linnaeus to my Bro. John, lying in Fleet Street, occasioned by an epistle
and some phials of insects sent by the latter to the former. The old
arch-naturalist writes with spirit still ; and is very open and communica-
tive, acknowledging that several of the insects were new to him. He
languishes to see a pratincole, being conscious that it belongs not to the
genus of Hirundo."— T. B,]

f [Printed in < Contributions to Ornithology,' 1829, pp. 31, 32.]

t [Turnix sylvatica of modern ornithologists.]

§ \_Ruticilla titys.—K. N.]

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 73

1. Zeus an Perca ? Proprii generis Piscis et novi : capite
excoriate, reticulato, caelato.

Coryph&noides vix videtur convenire cum generibus notis.
Doleo quod pinnae dorsi, ani et caudae erant mutilatas, ut
radios numerare non licuerit.

2. Perca dipterygia rubra ad Percce genus forte pertinebit,
caput licet muticum : ob pinnas duas dorsales vix Sparus aut
Labrus erit.

Cancer arctos omnino. \ Hae Squillce aut valde affines

Cancer carinatus est. f videntur vere species dis-

Cancer antennis longissimis. i tinctas esse; cum pedes di-
Cancer rostro longissimo. ) dactyli differunt in diversis.
Cancer minutus est.
Cancer brachiis hirsutis, mihi antea non visus.

3. Lacerta lemniscata est.
Scarabceus hispanus est.
typlioeus est.

laticollis est, sed elytra non striata : an sexu ?

4. Scorpio australis est. Scorpio calpensis.
Scolopendra morsitans est.

forficata est.

Meloe majalis est.
Asilus barbarus est.
Chrysomela sanguinea est.
Car alms granulatus est.
Tenebrio tibialis est.
Cottus gobio est.
Mantis gongylodes, an larva ?
Cimex morio : qui copiosus erat.
Chrysomela goetingensis est.

staphylea est.

marginata est.

Curculio anguinus est.
nebulosus est.

— barbaro similis sed triplo minor.

— Whitei! brevirostris, ater, undique punctatus, novus.
Silpha littoralis est.

rugosa est.

74 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

Silpha oblongata est.
Scarabceus sdbulosus est.

Hister ater, nitidus, elytris striis quinq. diinidiatis ob-
literatis, novus.

Upsalise, 1772, d. 7 August!.

LETTER IV.

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LINNAEUS.

SIR,

YOUR first letter bearing the date 20th January met with
some delay in England, and did not reach my hands till the
first day of May ; and on the 17th of the same month, when I
sent a small collection of birds and insects, I was prevented
from writing to you so long a letter as I intended by the
sudden departure of the ship. The week following I was
called away in haste from Gibraltar to take possession of pre-
ferment in England, and have, since that time, been too con-
stantly engaged in my private affairs to afford that attention
to my studies in Natural History which I would otherwise
wish to do. Some time in December last I received your
second favour' in London, and was desirous of sending you
some of my specimens of the most rare Calpensian animals ;
but I was informed that the frost had then shut up all navi-
gation to the Baltic Sea, for the winter season. As soon as the
communication opens again I will endeavour to send such as
I think best worthy of your acceptance. I now propose to
revise and correct my observations in Natural History made
at Gibraltar, and to reduce the fauna of that district into a
regular systematic form. Although I lived at that place
sixteen years in the whole, yet, to my misfortune, it was only
during the last four years that I became acquainted with this
science, and with your admirable works. However, if I have
leisure to model my materials, imperfect as they are, into any
tolerable form, I shall some day beg leave to submit a copy of
them to your inspection. Give me leave in the meantime to

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 75

take some notice, in their regular order, of the several articles
mentioned in both your letters.

Of two specimens of the Lepadogastcr which I sent to
England, one is lost, the other remains in my possession, and
shall certainly be forwarded to you the first opportunity.

Sphex maculis quatuor dorsalibus, &c., which you say you
had not seen before, seems to be Vespa crabroni congener
Rail. Indeed I at first supposed it to be Sphex lidens, Syst.
Nat., from which I think it differs nothing, except that it has
no spines on the thorax. That which has yellow antennae and
only two spots on the abdomen is the male, the other female.
I find no less than six varieties, which are probably the male,
female, and neuter of two distinct species. In some the
aculeusy or sting, is tricuspid, in others simple.

Sphex alis erosis, ferrugineis, apice nigris, was by me sup-
posed to be Sphex mauritanica ; but you will judge better on
farther examination. I have two species of Mutilla ; the
largest inhabits the sandy parts of the isthmus, the other the
high parts of the rocky mountain. I could not discover any
particulars of their oeconomy. The Chrysis which you remark
is inserted in Mr. Forster's ( Nova Insectorum Centuria ' as a
new insect; he calls it C. cyanura, and another C. cyanochrysa.
All my Grylli turriti have ensiform antenna?. I have not yet
remarked their sexual differences. To/bonus, forma musca?,
novus : be pleased to favour me with a specific distinction of
this insect.

I took much pains last summer to discover the metamor-
phosis of Panorpa coa, but with little success. It inhabits
sandy soils always, and its first appearance for three several
summers was precisely on the 18th of May.

I believe both Sphex fissipes and clavipes were among the
rest; perhaps they were lost by sticking close to other subjects.

If Cancer lateribus 3-spinosis be a new species, let me beg
your specific title to that also.

The insect which you say is Lucanus parallelepipedus, Mr.
Forster has also put among his new insects, by the name of
Tenebrio buparius.

The only specimen that I have of Pratincola Trachelia is in

70 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

bad preservation, but much at your service. It seems un-
doubtedly of the Grallce Ordo. Hirundo rupestris was ob-
served by me in the winter months as long ago as the year
1758, by Scopoli in the summer, about the year 1767. Co-
turnix tridactylus must without doubt belong to the Ordo of
Gallince; possibly its legs were stretched too much in drying,
and thereby made it resemble one of the Ordo of Grallce. It
differs from one in the i Planches enluminees,' and, I hope, is a
nondescript species; if so, be pleased to honour it with a
specific character.

Motacilla tithys is the Grey-redstart of Edwards, and the
Rutidlla gibraltariensis, No. 16, of Brisson.

Piscis novus, capite excoriato, reticulato, cselato ; as you
esteem it a new genus, demands likewise a generic, as
well as a specific, name, from the great father of Natural
History.

Coryphcenoides rupestris not appearing in the i Systema
Naturae,' Mr. Pennant gave it that name from Gunnerus. I
have more specimens, of which I will send you the best.
They are all found mutilated, being never taken alive in nets,
but cut out of the stomach of Squalus acanthias. Perca
dipterygia rubra appeared to me rare and doubtful. You
will best ascertain its proper titles.

Cancer arctus * is, I suppose, Squilla ccelata, Rondeletii.

C. carinatus"\, videN. 16, Brunnichii spolia maris Adriatic!.
C. antennis longissimis is certainly a distinct species. It's
colours beautiful. C. rostro longissimo must also be a peculiar
species. I have many specimens. C. brachiis hirsutis is
found in vast abundance under loose stones on the sea shore.
None larger than those which I sent you.

These four want Linnsean names.

ScarabcKus hispanus is sometimes found inclosed in a hard
oval ball of dung and sand mixed, through which, when
moist, it works its passage with its horn. Does it undergo
all its transformations in this prison? Mantis gongylodes

* [Scyllarus arctus, Edw. Crust, ii. p. 282, a well-known Mediterranean
species. The Cancer arctus of Linn. Faun. Suec. — T. B.]

t [Most probably Sicyonia sculpta, Edw. Crust, ii. p. 409. — T. B.]

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINN/EUS. 77

seems to be in its perfect state as you see it, for I never found
any winged, or in a different form.

Mr. Forster mistakes your Cimex morio for a new insect,
and calls it Cimex aterrimus.

On a review of my collection, I find about ten new species
of birds, viz. four Motacillce ; one Emberiza ; three Alaudce ;
and two Turdi : also several fishes, besides many insects. As
I hope to enlarge my collection still farther by the help of my
friends at Gibraltar, I shall with the utmost pleasure endea-
vour to supply the most illustrious master of the science with
every article that is valuable.

Mr. White, a bookseller in Fleet Street, London, (who is
my brother, and to whose care I beg you to direct your future
favours for me,) is desirous of knowing who is the person in
Sweden, or elsewhere, that has the disposal of the last editions
of your works ; at what prices he may purchase many copies
of them ; and what new editions are now begun, or intended
soon, either of your own, or any other valuable publications.
If the proprietor will please to open a correspondence with
him, he may draw on him for the amount of what he pur-
chases, and depend upon immediate payment. My brother
deals more particularly in the branch of Natural History than
any other bookseller, and will probably have a large demand
for books of that sort. I beg leave to return my most grate-
ful thanks for your generous and instructive communications,
and with my most sincere wishes for your health, and a
prosperous progress in your most valuable labours, to sub-
scribe myself with all due esteem,

Your obliged disciple, and most obedient servant,

JOHN WHITE.

London, January 1, 1773.

78 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

LETTER V.

FKOM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LINNAEUS.

November 26, 1773.
SIR,

ON the first day of this present year I had the honour to write
to you a very long letter, in answer to your kind favour dated
August 7, 1772, and also to inform you that I had left
Gibraltar, and was come to reside in England, as well as to
beg your farther sentiments concerning those birds which you
had not thoroughly examined when you wrote.

As almost ten months have now elapsed, without my

having any farther intelligence from you, I begin to fear that

either my letter was not duly conveyed to you, or that you

have not enjoyed that share of health which every lover of

science must wish may be continued to you, by the goodness

of providence, for many years. My letter was sent to the post

in London, a few days after the date thereof, and should

properly have reached your hands in the month of January

last. Therefore to avoid, if possible the imputation of the

least neglect of the honour conferred on me of being admitted

among the number of your correspondents, I beg leave to

communicate the above particulars, that you may be satisfied

no neglect has happened, on my side. I venture, also, as

before, to write in my own native language, supposing it

equally obvious to you, and being in want of practice to

express myself with equal readiness in the Latin tongue.

However, if it happens to occasion to you any inconvenience

in explaining an English letter, I will prevent it hereafter by

making use of the Latin. The affairs of my new preferment

engaged my attention the last summer, and prevented me

from executing my intended ' Fauna Calpensis.' But I still

hope to finish it, having a quantity of materials, and more

specimens frequently sent by my friends at Gibraltar.

11EV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 79

I mentioned in my last, that Mr. White, a bookseller, in
Fleet Street, London (who is my brother), desires to know who
is the person in Sweden, or elsewhere, who has the disposal of
the last editions of your works, at what prices he may
purchase a large quantity of them, and what new editions are
now begun, or soon intended to be published, either of them
or of any other valuable publications in your country. If
either yourself or the proprietor will please to open a corre-
spondence with him, you may always safely draw on him for
the amount of what he purchases, and depend on punctual
payment. My brother deals particularly in the branch of
Natural History, and will probably have a larger demand for
foreign books of that sort than any person who has hitherto
imported them into England.

If it appears that my former letter has failed, I will send a
copy of some particulars in it, because it contained many
enquiries which I flatter myself your usual benevolence will
condescend to resolve.

I have a Pratincola, Lepadogaster, and several other speci-
mens, which I think worthy your observation ; but my daily
expectation of hearing from you prevented my sending them.

With most sincere prayers for your health and happiness
and a prosperous perseverance in your studies, so universally
beneficial to mankind, I am, illustrious Sir,

Your most obliged and devoted servant,

J. WHITE.

Please to direct,

To the Rev. John White,

Vicar of Blackburn, Lancashire.

I hear Mr. Logie, formerly Swedish Consul at Algiers, lives
at Stockholm ; if he be of your acquaintance, I beg my best
respects to him and his family.

80 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

LETTER VI.*

FEOM LINN^US TO THE REV. JOHN WHITE*

REVERENDISSIME DOMINE,

LITERAS tuas V* R. diei 26 Novembri nuper habui. Gratulor
reditum in patriam. Lsetor quod valeas.

Te non accepisse literas meas posteriores miror ; forte iis
non inscripsi nee dictam assignationem donius, quod non recor-
der ; me rescripsisse optime recorder.

Inter tua erant multa quse seternse memorise mandari de-
berent; et ego in meis MSS. auri instar asservo propedieni
editurus, non sine inventoris honorifica memoria.

Tetrao tridactylus est tarn singularis in suo ordine, ut? nisi
vidissem non credidissem. Quid de hac ave dicit D. Pen-
nant?

Piscis thoracicus novi generis est; cranio nudo suturis pluri-
mis exarato, diaphano.

Motacilla antea mihi non cognita.

SpJieges tres videntur valde affines, nee essdem.

Cancri squillce 7 species, ni fallor, quamquam valde similes*
Sic indicant partes, clielaB reliquaque distincte descripta.

Hirundo rupestris, nescio an varietas apus.

Apis propria species, et reliqua omnia ; pro quibus dum
vixero, ero in tuo sere.

Exemplaria meorum operum omnia distracta sunt? ut nullus
ea comparare queat in patria : novam darem eorum editionem,
sed editor Salvius ante dimidium annum occubuit. Admodum
multi a me expetiere exemplaria^ sed comparare null a ratione
ipse possum. Si aliquis in Anglia ea edere vellet, possem
praabere exemplar observationibus innumeris; et speciebus
ultra mille auctum, cum ex omnibus Indiis gazophylaciis in-
structus fui ab eo tempore quo ultimam dedi editionem ; ut
taceam synonyma auctorum plurium recentissimorum. Op-

* [Printed by Jardine, Contr. Orn. 1849, pp. 37, 38,]"

11EV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 81

tarem imprimis Systema Naturae, Genera et species Plantarum,
nova Editione, me vivo, prodire.

Anglicam linguam loquentem satis intelligo, scriptam non
seque facile; ipse Anglice scribere nequeo. Dum lego scripta,
pleraque capio ; si unum alterumve verbum deficiat, istud
facile evolvo. Possum semper habere amicos qui optime lin-
guam explicant. Fauna tua Calpensis esset et mini et omni-
bus exoptatissima.

Pratincolam nunquam vidi ; quae de ea habeant Scopoli,
Pennant, Gmelin et recentiores alii, vidi. Ad Grallas earn
referunt plurimi, licet rostrum videtur multum differre.

Lepadogaster neque a me visus fuit ; videtur admodum sin-
gular is.

Logie, octogenarius, qui fuit consul Algirensis, vivit adhuc;
et films qui ibidem serins consul factus fuit, etiam mini notus,
sed de eo, ab adventu Algeriam, non audivi ; scio tamen alium
consulem Suecicum nunc esse Algeriae.

Yale et fave tuo sincero cultori

CAR. LINNE.

Si novisti egregiam virginem Annam Blackburne, ipsam
plurimum salutes. Florae et Faunae filia est in cujus amores
ardeo.

UpsaliEe, 1774,
Jan. 2.

LETTER VIL

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LlNNJEUS.

VIRO ILLUSTRISSIMO CAR. LINK^EO, &c>
LITER AS tuas novissimas, Vir optime, diei 2 Januarii, accepi.
Tuas quoque priorss die 7 Augusti, 1772, datas accepi, pro
quibus gratum memn animum ad Calendas Jan. 1773, re-
scripsi ; quod te nunquam accepisse multum piget*

Historiae Natural is Patrem atque Decus adhuc valere pluri-
mum gaudeo. Deum Opt. Max. plurimos felicesque daturum
annos continue exoro I

VOL. n. G

82 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

Verba tua de Syst. Nat. exemplar! novo atque adaucto ad
fratrem meum Benj. White, Bibliopolam Londinenseni baud
incelebrem, retuli. Ille quidem libros multos quotannis edit ;
eumque Illustrissimi Linnaei Operum Editionem ditiorem
prselo lubentissime commissurum certior factus sum, utcunque
scire liceat quanti exemplar tuum, tantis observationibus
auctum, emendum sit. Die mihi igitur, Yir venerande, quot
nummos aureos Anglicanos, (vulgo Guineas nuncupates,)
pro hisce Cbartis tuis MS. tibi dandos exoptas, easque fratrem
meum summo gaudio empturum nibil dubito.

Specimina jam habeo aliquot, et avium, pisciumque, & in-
sectorum, quaa tibi mittenda retineo, donee navis aliquis ad
patriam tuam ab his regnis solvat.

Sphex iste, cum maculis 4, abdominis navis, anne Spliex
bidens? an novus? sex ejus habeo varietates ; forsan Marem,
Foeminam Neutrumque daarum Specierum.

Marem esse, cui maculae sunt duae tantum dorsales, certe
scio ; majoremque, cui maculae 4, cum capite variegato, anten-
nisque brevioribus, esse Fceminam. Quibusdam aculeus est
simplex, reconditus ; aliis exsertus, tricuspis. Sphegem alte-
ram, alis laciniatis, ferrugineis, apice nigris. Sphegem esse tuam
Mauritanicam judicavi ; sin alia sit, nomen specificum humil-
lime quaeso.

Mutillce species duae apud nos (Calpenses) frequentissimae.
Earum oeconomiam nondum observare licuit. Unam tantum
habeo alatam.

Gryllus turritus in Andalusia vulgatissimus. Sexus dif-
ferentiam nescio: omnibus sunt antennae ensiformes; setaceas
nunquam vidi.

Tabani novi, de quo mihi scribis, nomen characteresque a
te ediscere velim.

Anno praeterito summo studio laboravi ad Panorpce coce
metamorphosin eruendam. Annis 1770, 1771, ~L772,Panorpa
coa prodiit die 18° Maii ; cum ante hanc diem ne unicam
videre possim; ipso die 17° singulis his annis, omnes latebant,
at die proximo passim occurrebant. Ex locis arenosis semper
nascuntur. Die mihi, rogo, Cancri novi lateribus tri-spinosis,
et aliorum quos novos judicas, nomina Linnaeana.

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LIXN.EUS. 83

Hirundinem rupestrem antea, anno 1756, ad Calpein hye-
mare observavi : earn ad Alpes sestatem degere observavit D.
Scopoli 1768.

Coturnix tridactylus ad ordinem Gallinarum procul dubm
censendus. Ad Europani Africanique quotannis it, reditque,
cum Tetraone Coturnice. Crura forsan et femora in cadavere
sicco nimis protensa fuerint, ex qua causa e Grain's videatur.

Piscis novi generis, cranio undo diaphano, quaerere mihi
liceat titulum Linnaeanum ; et Generis, & Speciei. In Freti
Gaditani aquis profundissimis raro admodum reperitur.

CoryplxKnoidem in Syst* Nat. non video : et Speciei, et
Generis ejus sum ignarus. Percam dipterygiam, rubram, novam
sestimavi ; an recte ? Nomina quoque adscribas, Vir benevole,
rogo, Squillis meis omnibus novis, Cancroque novo bracbiis
hirsutis ; hie, ut vides, summam attigit magnitudinem, nee
uiKjuam major est.

Apis speciem novam, cujus meministi, nee jam habeo, nee
recorder : characterem ejus specificum a te requirere oportet ;
ne earn Faunae Calpensis ex agmine omittam.

Ad Faunulam meam Calpensem promovendam hodie laboro:
at ejus omnino me, Faunam tuam Suecieam intuentem, pudet !
In singula animalium Classe plurima desunt : Vermium pror-
sus sum ignarus. At tyrocinii mei primitias benigno animo
accipere velint Naturas consultiores.

Viri reverendissimi nomine salutari, non meum est. Apud
nos omnis Parochus atque Sacerdos, inter quos ego humilli-
mus, reverendus ; Episcopus reverendus admodum ; Ardhie-
piscopus solus reverendissimus.

Amicus quidam meus, D. Lever, provinciae hujusce Lancas-
triensis incola, rerum naturalium expertissimus indagator, ad
Museum locupletissimum atque elegantissinium, Animalium,
Lapidum, Conchyliorum, accumulandum sunimo opere sum-
mis impensis ardet. Is quoque Aves quasdam suo more bel-
lissime conservatas, lapidesque quosdam schistosos, ex hujus
regionis carbonum fossilium fodinis, figuris miris ornatos,
tibi mittendos parat. Quandocunque navis aut a Londino,
aut a Liverpool, Holmiam tuam navigatura sit, haec omnia
imponenda curabo, eorumque te certiorem fieri scribendo ne-

84 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

qnaquam negligero. Virginem egregiam quam nominas,
nondum vidi ; famam ejus antea audivi ; temporibus aastivis
ipsam tuo nomine salutare studebo. Loeflingii iter Hispani-
cum, ut ad meam quasi patriam pertineat, perlegere cupio ;
in Anglia vero baud venumdatur. Iter quoque C. Alstroemer
in Europam australem mibi forsan esset perutilis, at hie re-
periri nequit. Quomodo Lucanus meus & Lucanus tuus par-
allelipipedus idem sit, parum intelligo ; Lucani antennas non
habet, at Tenebrionis. De Motacillis tribus novis tibi missis
sententiam tuam spero.

Tenebrionem nisi femoribus anticis bispinosis ; an novus
est? Scarabceum laticollem Scarabcei sacri maritum esse mihi
visum est ex variis observationibus.

Valeas, vir dignissime, et epistolarum tuarum exoptatissi-
marum deliciis me iterum exhilarare ne dedigneris !
Sum tui cultor amicissimus

JOHANNES WHITE.
Blackburn,
die lmo Martii, 1774.

Squall glauci Calpensis dentes non granulati, sed acutis-
simij serrati. Inter tua Addenda, Lacertce chalcidicce pedes
tridactyli, minime 5-dactyli ; in meo specimine pedes tridac-
tyli. Turdum habeo novum, pygargum ; veram speciem, non
lusum.

Piscem habeo perpulchrum, Calpensem, Bramam marinam
cauda forcipata Eaii Synopsis, p. 115. Hunc in Syst. Nat.
haud invenio ; ad Chetodontis genus pertinet.

Mantis phthisica Calpensis est ; ut et Gryllus umbraculatus.

Artedi Opera hie rarissima ; an venalia apud vos ?

Turdus pygargus. Parus caeruleus.

Turdus? an Motacilla? Motacilla regulus.

Emberiza nova ?

Passer syrium Anglorum Lepadogaster.

Pratincola. Squilla nova.

Corvus corone.

Junx torquilla, Mus minimus, novus.

REV. JOILY WHITE AND LINN/EUS. 86

INSECTA. Sphex , aculeo tricuspidi.

Scarabaeus excavatus, M. F. Cancer , brachyurus, novus ?

lunaris ? hispanus P

novus ? Esox sphyraena.

variabilis? Cancer, e Pinna muricata.

rugosus, Scopoli. Perca, lineis caeruleis.

Tenebrio uncinus, novus. Salmo Saurus.

Leptura bimaculata, nova. Scomber ? an Gasterosteus ?

Attelabus Calpensis, novus. Sparus, Dentale della Corona, Bi

Apis catorhynchos, nova. Sparus , Cachucho Hispan.

— pyrrhopleura, nova ? Perca gigas, Bruennichii.

-, nova? Chsetodon.

, nova? Lepidopus.

, nova?

LETTER VIII.

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LINNAEUS.

Catalogus Animalium fyc. ad Illust. D. Linnceum missorum

die 19 Martii, 1774.

omnia e Museo Domini A. Lever.
AVES CALPENSES. Lancastriensis.

Muscicapa (Linn. MS.).

Sturnus collaris, Scopoli. ^ LAGENULA.

Pratincola. Lepadoyaster Gouani.

Turdm pygargus, nova species. Squilla, nova ?

Emberisa, n. s.
Motacilla,czuda albo nigroque macu-

latii, n. s. [Defuit (Linn. M.S.)] Scarabceus excavatus, n. s. mas &
Motacilla, Passer sepium Anglor. foem.

an Motac. curruca Linnaei ? Scarabceus lunaris ? hispanus ?

Co r v us cor one Anglor. Scarabceus variabilis ?

Jim.v torquilla. Scarabceus rugosus, Scopoli.

Par us ceeruleus. Scarabceus novus ?

Motacilla reyulus. Tenebrio femoribus uncinatis, novus?

Leptura bimaculata, nova?

Mus minimus, n.s. Attelabus Calpensis, novus (Linn.)

Lapides quamplurimischistosiecar- Apiano affinis (Linn.)

bonum fossilium fodinis. Haec Apis catorhynchos, nova ?

86 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

Apis catorhynchos, nova ? Perca, nova ? lineis obliquis caeruleis.

, nova ? Salmo saurus.

, nova ? Scomber ? an Gasterosteus ?

pyrrhopleura, nova ? Spams Dentate della (7oron«,Bruenni-

Sphex aculeo tricuspidi. chii.

Spams, novus ? Cochucho, vel Go-

Cancer, novus ? rdsses apud Hispanos.

Piscium quorundam Calpensium ad- Perca gigas, Breunnichii ?
umbrationes a J. White. Ch<?todon, Borneo Hispan.

Esox Sphyrcena. Lepidoptis, novus ? a Lepidopo

Cancer, novus ? e Pinna muricatd. Gouani plane diversus.

VIRO ILLUSTRISSIMO CAROLO
Equiti Aurato de Stella Polari, &c.
S.P.D. Johannes White.

AVICULAS quasdam rariores, Insecta nonnulla Calpensia dubia,
necnon & Piscium quorundum Adumbrationes mea manu,
rudi admodum atque imperita, delineatas? cum Avibus quoque
paucis, communioribus, et Museo amici mei D. Lever, more
suo perpulchro conservatis, Lapidibusq. figuris variis notatis,
Londinum jampridem misi ; ubi eas navi cuidam impositas
esse exaudivi, cui nomen Charlotta, Navarchi autem nomen
Osterman : Holmiam iste adnavigare paratus fuit? ubi hsec
omnia (quorum supra Catalogus) mercatoribus ibidem com-
morantibuSj quibus nomina Dryer & Zelling, se traditurum
promisit. Cista lignea inclusa sunt : animo benigno acci-
pias rogo.

Literas meas diei 28^ Februarii te accepisse, & proposita
tua de Systematis Naturae Editione nova imprimenda brevi
redditurum spero.

Quid de Avibus meis novis, quid de Lepadogastro, quid de
Insectis hisce dubiis, quid de Lapidum figuris tarn miris exis-
timas; discipulo tuo humillimo interrogare liceat.

Piscium, (quorum en tibi Icones,) aliquos forsan esse novos
mihi visum est ; e. g. Percam lineis obliquis ca3ruleis ; Scom-
brum ; Sparum nucha tumida ; Sparum cui nomen apud His-
panos Cachucho ; Percam giganteiUj an Bruennichii ? Lepido-

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINN^US. 87

pum cauda forficata, a Lepidopo Gouani, cui cauda rotun-
data, seu potius subulate, longe differt. Cancer quoque ma-
crourus, quern in Pinna muricatd habitantem inveni, novus
mihi videtur.

Lanium Sengalum .ah Algiria nuper accepi ;

Cuculum glandarium a Monte Calpe.

Charadrius alexandrinus ibidem vulgatissimus.

Sturnum collarem D. Scopoli iisdem locis inveni. At revera
Sturnum esse dubito ; nonne potius Frinyilla ? Seminibus
Phalaridis vescitur ; vivum diu retinui.

Sunt qui Motacillam hanc meam rufescentem, cui cauda
maculis albis nigrisque infra ad apicem notata est, Turdum
arundinaceum esse, (seu Junco Baii) censeant. At rostrum
habet minime emarginatum, sed integerrimum ; praeterea et
forma, et vita, moresque Motacillam indicant. Ad Hispa-
niam venit quotannis tempore vernali.

Tenebrio collaris, quern Africanum tu scribis, mihi missus
est nuperrime a Monte Calpensi.

Ichneumon quoq. bicolorus ab eodem loco venit, cui thorax
est bispinosus, antennae ferrugineae, medio albidae.

Myrmeleonis quiescentis alas non solum deflexas esse obser-
vavi, sed etiam utrinque involutas, totum abdomen tubulo quasi
cylindrico amplectentes. Myrmeleones (i. e. perfecta imago)
Diptera minora praedantur.

Valeas, Vir celeberrime ! faveasque

cultori tuo amicissimo

J. WHITE.
Blackburn, 1774, die 22mo Aprilis.

Myrmeleon formicarium Calpense nee maculam habet
alarem marginalem albam, ut in Syst. Nat. & Schaeffero,
nee maculas fuscas in limbo, ut apud Reaumurium et Geof-
roy; alas vero habet omnino immaculatas.

Ad quodnam piscium genus pertineat Coryphcenoides meus
rupestris adhuc haesito. Pinnarum radios numerare nondum
potui. Annon novi sit generis? Piscatorum retibus nunquam
capitur. Omnes quos vidi in Squall spinacis stomacho in-
veniebantur.

88 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

Quid sibi vult verbum Fonmycalyn^ scilicet nomen tri-
viale quartas speciei Myrmeleonis in Syst. Nat., haud rite
intelligo.

LETTEE IX.

FKOM LINN^US TO THE KEY. JOHN WHITE.

YIEO REVERENDISSIMO ET VENERANDO DOM° J. WHITE.

S. pi. d. CAR. LINNE.

ACCEPI literas tuas ad Calend. Januarii datas, suo tempore et
ad eas regessi. Accepi et datas d. 1 Martii, et 22 Aprilis.
Accepi et ante duos dies merces tuas et dona vere aurea ; pro
quibus omnibus ac singulis grates immortales reddo, reddamq.
dum vixero.

1. Sturnus collaris, Scop. An. i. p. 131. Fringilla sordone
Manett. Orn. t. 338 f. 1.

Avis Kyburgensis Gesn. Orn. app.725. Muscicapa gula
alba fusco undulata, tectricibus alarum nigricantibus
apiculo albo, collaris mini dicenda. Rostrum admo-
dum parum est emarginatum. Diversa a Turdo arundi-
naceo.

2. Turdum py gar gum non an tea vidi : erit equidem Turdus,
apex rostri modice incurvus.

3. Pratincolam antea non vidi ; ad Gr alias spectat, et proprii
generis est, Dno Lever ne desinas grates meis verbis agere
pro egregie et pulcherrime conservatis aviculis quibus me
beare voluit.

Phytolithi filicum erant certe optimi.

Isti lapides qui referunt tsenias non vidi ; an radicum planta-

rum aquaticarum rudimenta?
Ista impressio in schisto ita refert Sertulariam quandam

Ellisii, ut nisi magnitude vetaret, dicerem earn Sertulariam.

Alia foliis atris linearibus est Zostera.
Quadrati politi, Quartzum coloratum, Syst. Nat. 3? p. 65.

Fuel rubri et pilosi impressiones rariores.

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 89

Lepadogaster Gouani in lagenula est certe Cyclopterus nudus

meus, Syst. Nat. 414, 2.

Attelabus Calpensis. Hunc etiam ab aliis accepi.
Tenebrio femoribus uncinatis (bispinosis) T. Calpensis mihi

dicendus.

4. Motacilla cauda albo nigroq. undulata, a me antea non visa.
Myrmeleon forrnicarum rostrum habet, in alis stigma album,

habeo jam insectum coram.
Artedi opera non prostant apud nos, sed Leidae.
Gryllus umbraculatus, ubi habitat? Quid agit cum umbraculo?
Te datore optimo multa animalia habeo.

5. Tetrao tridactylus pedibus nudis tridactylis.

6. Hirundo rupestris nigricans, rectricibussubaequalibus: 2. 3.
macula alba.

Piscis thoracicus capite excoriato, nondum nornen imposui.
Attelabus calpensis caerulescens, thorace piloso, elytris rubris

punctis 3 nigris.

Spliex mutabilis atra, pedibus hirtis, abdomine maculis luteis 4.
Sphex erosa capite, thorace, alis, pedibusq. ferrugineis.
Apis calpensis labio superiore acuminato inflexo, abdominis

segmentis punctis geminis nigris.
Cancer diceresis brachyurus, thorace laevi, line^ transversa

insculpta, marginibus serratis, chelis laevibus.

Cancer brachyurus subhirsutus manibus ciliatis.

Ex Squillarum prosapie 4 distinctae, nondum posui dif-

ferentias ; et numero plura, praeter ultima, te inventore

alleganda.

Literaa excrescerent in infinitum si simul et semel omnia
response exponerem, nunc aliis negociis implicitus reservo
reliqua proximae epistolae.

Scripsi multa addenda Vol. i. Syst. Nat. idq. quotidie : ab-
solvidimidiumtomum. Si tuus frater edat, certus sum quod hoc
prodest optimis typis, qui Anglis communes. Tarn multa quae
quotidie prodiere, post priorem editionem operis, et quse alle-
gavi, multum laboris expostularunt. Si vixero, absolvam opus
in Autumnum. Quid mihi ofFerat in sostrum? An poterit
habere optimum correctorem typi ?

Upsali» 1774, d. 3. Julii.

90 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO HIS BROTHER GILBERT
(•with reference to Linnaeus' s last Letter.)

DEAR BRO.

ABOVE you have the old Professor's last epistle. You will
see that Sturnus collaris, Scop., is not a new bird ; that
Linn, allows it not to be a Sturnus but a Muscicapa ; and
that he makes a strange mistake in supposing I could take it
for Turdus arund. That which Mr. Pennant and you called
Turdus arund. or Junco of Ray is mark'd in the margin 4 ;
and Linn, agrees with me in calling it a Motacilla. He seems
satisfied now about the Pratinc. Gouan's new genus Lepa-
dogaster turns out to be nothing more than Cydopterus nudus,
Linn. Tanta est discordia Doctorum. Linn, seems now so
fond of the specific Calpensis, that he will put that and
Whiteij I suppose, to all my nondescripts. He is wrong in
saying only 2, 3 maculatis albis in the tail of Hirundo rupest.
It ought to be 2, 3, 4, 5.

LETTER X.

FROM THE REV. JOHN WHITE TO LINNAEUS.

VIRO ILLUSTRISSIMO CAROLO LINN^EO.

S. pi. dat Joannes White.

NULLA equidem ex re tantum et voluptatis et Scientise Natu-
ralis verse cultures, quantum ex scriptis literisq. tuis, Yir
clarissime, recipio. Yerba tua novissima de Syst. Nat. nova
editione imprimenda ad Fratrem meum Londinensem man-
davi. At ille nummos prorsus ullos pro exemplari tuo offerre
jam reformidat. Timet enim ne editio hsec reformata, Ba-
tavorum Grermanorumq. typis furtivis vilioribusq., non sine
damno suo? extemplo prodeat contaminata. Quicquid igitur
in sostrum velles rogare, te prius nominare oportebit, ut ipse
inde sciat an periculum sibi erit faciendum.

Ad Faunam meam Calpensem perficiendam quotidie adhuc

REV. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 91

allaboro. Dubia tamen multa zoologica continue milii obviam
accedunt. Ad h^ec dimovenda nemo sane valet, nisi magnus
ille meus Apollo Suecicus. Si mutationes aliquas singulares
circa generum distributionem fecisti, Syllabum Genericum
mihi 'mittere ne dedignere, ne methodus mea a methodo Lin-
neana nimium discrepet.

Testudinum formas varias video. Sunt quibus testae aper-
tura est anterior, posteriorq. pro capite membrisq. recipiendis.
Sunt quoq. quibus testa inferior valvis binis, quarum car-
dines transversi, clauditur, adeo ut animalis terrefacti caput
atq. membra omnia penitus abscondantur. Hujusmodi testas
in Syst. Nat. memoratas non invenis. Anne igitur generis
Testudinum * fieri possit divisio ? exempli gratia, testa clausd
seu cardinatd, testa apertd, &c.

Avem Kyburgensem Gesneri examinavi ; sed utrum haec
sit Sturnus collaris Scopoli, mihi jam videtur dubitandum.
Gesneri figura est pessima ; de gula maculata nihil dicit.
Sturnum collarem Scop., Turdum esse arundinaceum nun-
quam suspicitur ; at Motacillam meam testaceam, cauda albo
nigroq. maculata, esse Turdum arundin. quidam existimarunt.
Motacillam Krameri, Elench. p. 375. n. s. eandem esse avicu-
lam parum dubito, quum is a Turdo longe diversa sit. Mota-
cillcB hujus nomen tuum specificum mihi desiderandum.

Quibus in locis Gnjllus umbraculatus habitat, vel quid agit
cum umbraculo, nondum mihi innotuit : unicum tantum in-
veni in viis arenosis, pedibus hominum conculcatum.

Hirundo rupestris Scop., mihi potius (pace tua) hyemalis
dicenda ; nam ipsa, sola forsan inter Hirundines, hyemes
nobiscum degit. Hujus rectrices 2. 3. macula alba dicis : at
revera 2. 3. 4. 5. albo maculantur. Piscis thoracici, capite
excoriato, &c. nomen Linnaeanum, cum characteribus gene-
ricis valde desidero. Hujus specimen meum maximum lon-
gitudinem attigit undecim unciarum.

* [This distinction between the species of tortoises with the under
portion of the shell entire and immovable, and those in which the ster-
num is movable on a hinge, was the discovery of Gilbert, and given to
his brother to be communicated to Linnaeus. This he did in this letter,
but without any reference to his brother as the real discoverer ! See
Vol. I. p. 240, note.— T. B.]

92 CORRESPONDENCE OF THE

Si Attelabrum Calpensem ab aliis accepisti, nonne nomen
triviale a loco male sumendum ?

Sphex iste, quern tu mutabilem vocas, quando habeat ma-
culas quatuor abdominales, foemina est ; hsec quoq. major :
cseteri vel mares, vel forsan neutri. Maribus aculeus est tri-
cuspis.

Sphex, cui nomen imposuisti erosa, mihi videtur parum
discrepare a Sphege Mauritanico Syst. Nat.

Leptura bimaculata an nova? Scarabceus thorace exca-
vato, an novus ?

(Estrus est apud nos vulgatissimus, in Syst. Nat. nondum
reperiendus. Hujus meminit D. Derhamus, Physico-Theol.
p. 250. et Moumetus, pas;. 62, cui nomen dedit Musca curvi-

J- / Ji O /

cauda, sive cr/coXtoupo?. Historia tamen apud Mouffletum a
veritate multum aberrat. Nam ipsam (curvicaudam) equos
aculeo suo pungere, omnino falsum est, quippe aculeum nul-
lum habet. Nee stercora sua, ut quosdam putasse dicit, pilis
equi affigit. Sed equos solummodo persequitur ut ova sua
pilis eorum affigat, cujus rei testis non solum ipse D. JDer-
liamus, sed etiam frater quidam meus, in agro Hantoniensi,
rerum naturalium peritissimus. Ipse etiam paucis abhinc
diebus Muscam curvicaudam ova sua pilis equinis affigentem,
manibus meis captavi, curatissime observavi, verumq. esse
CEstrum " ore nullo, punctis tribus, absq. rostro" certissime
attestor. Hunc tibi mittendum conserve ; interea characterem
ejus specificum accipe his verbis.

CEstrus alis maculatis, vultu albo, thorace nigro,

pilis flavicantibus, abdomine elongate,

acuminato, incurvato.

Omnis equi qui in pascuis paludosis hospitalitur, mensibus
Septembri & Octobri, et in tota Anglia, & in Hispania, venter
crura, humeriq. hujus (Estri ovis scatent. Hsec ova juxta
pilorum summitates tarn fortiter adglutinantur, ut pilos ipsos
prius eradicares quam ova a pilis divelleres ; ideoq. ova oinnia
simul cum pilis caducis ad terram cadere necesse est. En
tibi igitur CEstrum, cujus larva non latet intra pecorum
corpus ! at ubinam larvae ejus nutriuntur per totam hyemem
nondum novi. Nam Eruca glabra caudata, cujus meminit

KEY. JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS. 03

idem D. Derhamus, non est larva Muscce curvicaudce, ut
ipse falso suspicatus fuit, sed larva Muscce Hydroleonis Syst.
Nat.

Ergo Muscam hanc eurvicaudam nihil aliud esse quam
veruni (Estrum. Te certiorem fieri conatus sum, si forsan
hoc tibi antea ignotum. Cancri macrouri iconem tibi misi,
quein intra Pinnam muricatam inveni ; an a te antea visus ?

Cancer ursus Rondeletii, p. 564, ad Calpem perquam com-
munis. Hunc in Syst. Nat. nonduin invenio. Malum puni-
cum valde refert, et colore, & figura, et magnitudine. Ron-
deletii figura mala est.

Cancer nutria Scop., ut opinor, est Cancer pisum Syst.
Nat., a C. minuto di versus. Intus Ostreas lati tan tern saepius
comperi.

Descriptio Cancri varii sive marmorati, apud Rondel,
p. 566, cum Cancro meo lateribus tridentatis cui nomen
dedisti C. diaeresis, mire convenit ; at figura Rondeletiana
nihil valet.

Apis abdominis maculis fulvis lateralibus, an nova? Forsan
A. marucatce mas, uti videatur ex descriptione apud Geoffroy,
2. p. 408. n. 3.

Emberizam quoq. misi novam, me& sententia, an tua quoq.
nova sit quaerendum.

Mus minimus, quern tibi misit D. Lever pyxide vitre£ in-
clusum a fratre meo prsedicto, Gilberto White, primo fuit in-
ventus. Species certe non antea descripta, quamvis in Anglia
vulgatissima. Vide ejus descriptionem apud Pennant, Brit.
Zool. Append, quam a fratre meo accipit. Omnium Qua-
drupedum facile minutissimus.

Amicus ille meus D. Lever Zoophylacium suum elegantis-
simum Londinum deferendum jam parat, ubi omnibus gnavis
ignavisq. eum conspiciendi dabitur facultas.

Deo optimo gratia? meae maximae habendae, quod mihi ani-
malia haac pauca colligendi copiam dederit, quse vel sagacis-
simo Scrutator! Naturae nondum innotuerunt. Quaecunq.
sunt nova vel inaudita tua omnia summo jure censeo : Dentur
dignissimo. Nulla mihi gratior voluptas quam tanto viro
dandi libertas. De nomine meo scriptis tuis inserendo lo-

94 CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN WHITE AND LINNAEUS.

qneris. Verbis tuis laudari, Fama est! Orna me, Vir cele-
berrime, si non Scriptis tuis, attamen Doctrina, Amiciti& tua !
Faxit Deus ut opus quod instituisti feliciter absolvas ! Valeas I
Sic optat, sic precatur, sunimo studio,

Tui cultor bumillimus,

J. WHITE.

Blackburn, Lancashire,
die 8 Octobri, 1774.

P.S. Strix Scops uberiore descriptione dignissima. Ut
omnium Strigum minima, sic etiam pulcherrima est. Jungis
torquillce vel Caprimulgi perpulcbris coloribus semulatur.
Aures, seu cornua, penn& solitaria constare non credo, nam
certe plures pennse surgunt gradathn ad aurium forniam, qua?
in cadavere parum percipiendse. Aurium apertura in hac ave
modica est, ut in Passeribus.

Remiges primores serratos, pro charactere generico Strigis
sumendos existimo, nam bos vidi in omni specie mibi cognita,
nempe in Bubone, Oto, Scope, Nycted, Alucone, flammed,
Ululd, passerind.

Caprimulgi nomen aboleri optarem ; anilem enim fabulam
bane avem carpere lactantia viscera rostro, credat Judasus
Apella ! Hirundinis Melbce rectrices decem tantum (ut in
Hir. Apode), digiti omnes 4 antici.

Dicitur in Syst. Nat. p. 343 Hir. rusticam una cum urbicd
autumno demergi, vereq. emergere : scire vellem an bsec opinio
fam^ tantum Veterum, an observationibus certioribus Hodier-
norum, innititur. Ipse enim vidi, per plures annos, exerci-
tus innumeros Hirundinum autumni tempore ad Africam trans-
euntes ; eodem quoq. tempore Caprimulgos gregarios ad
austrum migrantes vidi.

[The above letter closes the correspondence of John White with Lin-
naeus. It is not improbable that it was never read by Linnaeus, as it was
in the previous May that he suffered an attack of apoplexy which
" obliged him to close his literary labours." — T. B.]

95

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY,

LETTER I.

TO THOMAS BARKER *.

4»

October 25, 1770.
DEAR SIR,
BY the register in my old bible it appears that

John White was bap. Feb. 12, 1601.
Richard White, June 10, 1605.
Henry White, Nov. 2, 1606.
Samson White, Knight, Nov. 30, 1607.
Eliz. White, Dec. 26, 1600.

Marryed to Briscow.
Magdalen White, May 10, 1612.

Marryed to Sedgewick ; afterwards to Wood.

The children of Sir Samson White of Oxon.

John White born Nov. 30, 1636.
Richard White, Aug. 24, 1647.

These two men possessed Swan Hall.
Henry White of Oxford, father of Dr. White, Dec. 28,

1648.

Gilbert White (vicar of Selborne), Feb. 15, 1650.
Francis White, Fellow of Baliol Coll., 1652.
Mary White, Nov. 14, 1650.

These are all the traces that remain of our family. If you
had thought of it in time, it is pity you had not enquired
farther of Mrs. Isaac and Mr. White of Bradley.

It does not appear why Swan Hall went into the female
* [His brother-in-law.— T. B.]

96 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

line; but most probably John White, born 1636, dyed single,
and his Bro. Rich, born 1647, had a daughter who marryed
Ashworth.

Hoping you will have as good a journey to London as I
had to this place, I remain with due respects,

Yr affectionate humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

P.S. I shall hope to hear from Sam.

LETTER II.

Selborne, Jan. 1, 1771.

DEAH SAM,

I WAS much pleased to see so intelligent a letter from so
young a writer, and shall be very glad to have you continue
your correspondence.

The lines from the Odyssey are very apropos and will make
a very suitable motto for the climate of Andalusia. My
brother makes a very rapid progress in natural knowledge,
and, considering he has no person to confer with or to advise
him in his new study, does wonders. He sent me in October
a fresh cargo of birds and insects which ought to have been
here long ago ; but as they came in a Levant ship, they are
performing quarantine at Stangate Creek and will I fear be
tumbled about and damaged.

When I opened your letter all the Parnassia-seed fell out,
and 1 took it to be dust and dirt from the pocket of the
person who brought it; but luckily it fell in my lap, so that I
saved it all. I shall sow it soon in the sandy bogs, and see if
I can succeed better.

The last winter migration that we have in these parts is the
appearance of the CEnas sive Vinago Raii, the wild wood
pigeon or stock dove, which comes in great flocks about the

* [His sister's only son.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 97

end of November, and does not breed in these parts, perhaps
not in the kingdom *. The pigeon that breeds in our woods
and hedge-rows, and cooes all the summer is the Palumbus f
or ring dove, the palwnbes mentioned by Virgil in his eclogues:
" Nee tamen interea raucse tua cura palumbes."

Your Un. Harry was with me towards the end of November.
As we were walking in the evening we saw just after sunset a
star of a moderate magnitude, just above the sun, which we
concluded must be Mercury. My Bro. was much pleased to
see what he thought to be that planet, as it was new to him ;
and I had never seen it before but once, and that was at
Lyndon in 1760. You may let me know if Mercury was
visible at that time.

With the compliments and good wishes of the season I
conclude,

Yr affectionate Uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

The following is Mr. Sheffield's account of a visit to Mr. (afterwards
Sir Joseph) Banks, sent to Gilbert White, and by him to Samuel Barker,
Dec. 21, 1772. Banks returned from his well-known voyage in 1771
with the large collections described, augmented by his voyage to Ice-
land in July 1772.

" Dec. 2, 1772.

" MY next scene of entertainment was in New Burlington
Street at Mr. Banks's. Indeed it was an invitation from this
gentleman that carried me to town. It would be absurd to
attempt a particular description of what I saw here ; it would
be attempting to describe within the compass of a letter what
can only be done in several folio volumes. His house is a
perfect museum ; every room contains an inestimable treasure.
I passed almost a whole day here in the utmost astonishment,

* {Columba ocnas. This species has for several years bred at Selborne,
in the hollow of a large pollard ash, which had been for many years pre-
viously the haunt of owls. See note, Vol. I. pp. 96, 97.— T. B.]

t \_Columbapalumbus.— T. B.]
VOL II. H

98 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

could scarce credit my senses. Had I not been an eye-
witness of this immense magazine of curiosities, I could not
have thought it possible for him to have made a twentieth
part of the collection. I have excited your curiosity ; I wish
to gratify it ; but the field is so vast and my knowledge so
superficial that I dare not attempt particulars. I will en-
deavour to give you a general catalogue of the furniture of
three large rooms. First the Armoury; this room contains all
the warlike instruments, mechanical instruments and utensils
of every kind, made use of by the Indians in the South Seas
from Terra del Fuego to the Indian Ocean — such as bows and
arrows, darts, spears of various sorts and lengths, some
pointed with fish, some with human bones, pointed very
finely and very sharp, scull-crackers of various forms and
sizes, from 1 to 9 or 10 feet long, stone hatchets, chisels
made of human bones, canoes, paddles, &c. It may be ob-
served here that the Indians in the South Seas were entire
strangers to the use of iron before our countrymen and
Monsieur Bougainville arrived amongst them ; of course these
instruments of all sorts are made of wood, stone, and some few
of bone. They are equally strangers to the other metals; nor
did our adventurers find the natives of this part of the globe
possessed of any one species of wealth which could tempt the
polite Europseans to cut their throats and rob them. The
second room contains the different habits and ornaments of
the several Indian nations they discovered, together with the
raw materials of which they are manufactured. All the
garments of the Otaheite Indians and the adjacent islands are
made of the inner bark of the Morus papyri/era * and of the
bread tree Chitodon altile^; this cloth, if it may be so called, is
very light and elegant and has much the appearance of
writing paper, but is more soft and pliant; it seems excellently
adapted to these climates. Indeed most of these tropical
islands, if we can credit our friend's description of them, are
terrestrial Paradises. The New-Zealanders, who live in much
higher southern latitudes, are clad in very different manner.
In the winter they wear a kind of mats made of a particular
* \_Broussonetia papyri/era. — T.B.] t \_Artocarpus incisa. — T.B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 99

species of Cyperus grass. In the summer they generally go
naked, except a broad belt about their loins made of the outer
fibres of the cocoa nut, very neatly plaited; of these materials
they make their fishing lines, both here and in the tropical
isles. When they go upon an expedition or pay or receive
visits of compliment, the chieftains appear in handsome cloaks
ornamented with tufts of white dog's hair ; the materials of
which these cloaks are made are produced from a species of
Hexandria plant very common in New Zealand, something
resembling our hemp, but of a finer harl and much stronger,
and when wrought into garments is as soft as silk : if the
seeds of this plant thrive with us, as probably they will, this
will be perhaps the most useful discovery they made in the
whole voyage. But to return to our second room. Here is
likewise a large collection of insects, several fine specimens of
the bread and other fruits preserved in spirits ; together with
a compleat hortus siccus of all the plants collected in the
course of the voyage. The number of plants is about 3000,
110 of which are new genera, and 1300 new species which
were never seen or heard of before in Europe. What raptures
must they have felt to land upon countries where every thing
was new to them ! whole forests of nondescript trees clothed
with the most beautiful flowers and foliage, and these too
inhabited by several curious species of birds equally strangers
to them. I could be extravagant upon this topic ; but it is
time to pay our compliments to the third apartment. This
room contains an almost numberless collection of animals ;
quadrupeds, birds, fish, amphibia, reptiles, insects and vermes,
preserved in spirits, most of them new and nondescript.
Here I was lost in amazement, and cannot attempt any
particular description. Add to these the choicest collection
of drawings in Natural History that perhaps ever enriched
any cabinet, public or private: — 987 plants drawn and coloured
by Parkinson ; and 1300 or 1400 more drawn with each of
them a flower, a leaf, and a portion of the stalk, coloured by
the same hand; beside a number of other drawings of animals,
birds, fish, &c. And what is more extraordinary still, all the
new genera and species contained in this vast collection are

H 2

100 COKRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

accurately described, the descriptions fairly transcribed and
fit to be put to the press. Thus I have endeavoured to give
you an imperfect sketch of what I saw in New Burlington
Street ; and a very imperfect one it is."

LETTER III.

GILBERT WHITE TO SAMUEL BARKER

(on the same sheet as the foregoing extract from
Mr. Sheffield's letter).

Dec. 21, 1772.
DEAR SAM,

As I have promised for some time to write to you without
fulfilling my promise ; I shall, by way of making you some
amends, send you the above written extract from my friend
Mr. Sheffield's letter instead of something of my own com-
posing. When you and I happen to meet, we will, if you
like, read Virgil's Georgics together, together with Martin's
translation and notes, and shall, I trust, find no small satis-
faction from that most beautiful of all human compositions.
Ben. White, while with me, read them thro' three several
times ; but he was at that time almost too young to relish so
masterly a work.

Give my respects to your father, and tell him I owe him a
letter which I intend to pay him soon ; and inform him that
hitherto our winter has been remarkably mild : within a fort-
night I have cut grass for my horses ; and nasturtiums abroad
are still in bloom ! Our mornings and evenings are full as
mild now as they usually are at this season at Gibraltar : tho'
at noon the thermr is much raised at that place. My thermr
yesterday morning stood at 52 I As I have some suspicions ,
about the regularity of my barometer, pray send me a journal
of your barometer for any month past ; and let me know if
the surface of the quicksilver in the receiver of yr barometer
be exactly 28 inches beneath the lowest mark on the plate.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 101

My Bro. and sister John (who have been with me about a
fortnight) are much favoured by this delicate weather, and
will, I hope, be tolerably seasoned before severe frosts set in.

Bro. John is frequently incommoded by hoarseness, an
infirmity that is very troublesome to a clergyman.

You will I hope write soon, and let me know how you
succeed in yr studies, and how much you and yr sisters
improve in drawing, and particularly in designing. Your
sentiments on any subject will be very agreeable to me. All
friends join in respects. I am

Yr affectionate friend,

GIL. WHITE.

This autumn I had plenty of most delicate grapes, such as
I have never seen since autumn 1762. The vines blowed
very late ; but the burning summer ripened the fruit at a vast
rate, and made grapes and bunches of a vast size ; and yet,
what is very strange, the bearing wood for next year is very
slender and poorly ripened.

LETTER IV.

TO THOMAS BARKER.

Selborne, Sept. 14, 1775.

DEAR SIR,

I CAN readily give you credit for the change of colour that
befell the bulfinch, because when I first undertook the church
of Faringdon, the person where I used to dine on a Sunday
caught a cock bulfinch in the fields after it had arrived at its
full colours*. In about a twelvemonth it began to grow
dingy ; and losing by degrees its gay apparel, it became
leisurely, in I think about three years, as black or blacker
than a blackbird, all save some of its wing feathers, which

* [This fact is particululy mentioned in the XVth letter to Pennant.
See Vol. I. p. 45, and note.— T. B.]

102 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

continued white at least in part. This bird remained in this
mourning garb to the day of its death, and lived, I perfectly
remember, altogether on hempseed, a kind of food which, I
have heard before, has a tendency to blacken those birds that
live altogether upon it. The owner of the bulfinch had at the
same time a skylark which was supported altogether in the
same manner and became very dusky but not black.

Be pleased to remember that tho' I happened to have seen
a similar case, yet I look upon the phenomenon as odd and
extraordinary, and am much obliged to you for your infor-
mation, and shall be for the future for any curious anecdote
that falls in your way.

From the 9th of Aug. to the 14th inclusive, the heat was
very severe night and day; and on the 13th, in the evening,
arose from the S. that great tempest of thunder and lightning
which did so much damage in and about London. The rain
attending that storm was of signal service to the hops, which
before began to languish. But in the night between the 18th
and 19th of Aug. such a wind came from the N". that it well-
nigh demolished all the plantations. In Sr S. Stuart's * gar-
den, consisting of 20 acres, not one pole was left standing for
many acres together ; and as his crop was remarkably fine,
he suffered the loss of many hundreds of pounds in that one
night. Since the storm hops have never thriven, and are
now picking, but are small and brown, and will be very dear
and very poor and ordinary. My thermr on the 13th of Aug.
was at 78^- within doors.

In the beginning of wheat harvest we had some rain, which
frightened some farmers, and made them house some of their
wheat too soon ; but, on the whole, wheat went in in most
curious order. As to the spring corn, both here and on the
downs it all lies abroad in a bad way ; for we have had no-
thing but rain since Sep. 1 . Apples fail in general : I have
again, as I had last year, more than my share, but not one
pear. My apricots were almost all cut off in bloom ; but I
have on my wall about 10 dozen of the best-ripened peaches

* [Sir Simeon Stuart, Bart., of Hartley Park, of whose family several
monuments still remain in the church of that parish. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 103

and nectarines that I ever saw, that are now in high perfec-
tion. My crop of grapes is very great, of Avhich I shall begin
gathering to-morrow; and they will supply my table constantly
"til the frosts strip the trees of their leaves. I wait much on
my vines, and have them trained with great care and exact-
ness.

My S* foin was much damaged ; but my meadow hay was
got up in nice order. Hay has proved a prodigious crop in
all parts. Bro. Tho. writes that some farmers in Essex offer
to sell it at Xmass next at 25s. per ton out of the rick ; and
an year ago it was with us at £4 4.9. Od. I cannot think that
with us the wheat is any thing of a crop.

Your affectionate brother and humble Servant,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER V.

April 6, 1774.
DEAR COUSIN,

AT the request of my uncle I intend doing myself the plea-
sure of giving you some account of an extraordinary event
which lately happened in the parish of Hawkley *. During the
vast rains, a large fragment of the Hanger, late my grand-
father's, slipped away for near two hundred yards in length,
and fell down the step to the depth of forty feet, carrying with
it the coppice-wood, hedge, and gate between the two fields,
&c. The sinking of this gate is very strange, as it stands at
present as upright as it used to do, and is as easy to be opened
and shut.

The next thing to be observed is a little hop garden and
pond, in the former of which there are two or three places
that are sunk four or five feet ; besides, many other parts of
the garden are very full of large cracks and openings. The

* [For a full account of this remarkable landslip see Letter XLV. to
1 hunes Harrington, Vol. I. p. 227, et seq.—T. B.j

104 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

bed of the pond is also very much sunk, and the place from
whence the waste water used to run is now the highest part.

A lane which went down one side of this hill is sunk eight
or ten feet, and very much pushed forward, so as to be ren-
dered impassable.

There is situated in the same piece of ground with the pond
(which is meadow-land) a small cottage, the inhabitants of
which were greatly alarmed on the night in which this hap-
pened, by a gradual opening in their floor, till at last they
perceived that part of the cottage nearest the hill begin to
sever with very loud noises. The upper part of the cottage
is since entirely fallen down.

A neighbouring farm-house is also so much sunk, and is so
full of large cracks as to be rendered not habitable.

There is one field that was wheat last year, pretty well an
acre, so much sunk that it is impossible to be ploughed. All
the corn land which was affected by this event is full of large
chasms and cracks, some two feet wide ; the meadow land
has very few of these cracks in it, but seems to be pushed
forward, and is filled with large swellings of the turf, resem-
bling waves : in some places where the ground met with any
thing that resisted, it rose up many feet above its former
surface.

In one place four or five trees are driven all together in a
huddle. One tree is entirely bent down.

It is supposed eighty or an hundred acres of ground are
damaged by this accident.

There has been a great concourse of people to see this
event. It is computed that a Sunday or two after it happened,
there were pretty near a thousand from different parts of the
country. One of the persons to whom the cottage belonged
has lately been about with a petition in order to attempt to
rebuild it. Hoping that this account of mine will give you
some idea of this wonderful accident ; with duty to my Uncle
and aunt, and love to my cousins,

I remain your affectionate Cousin,

JOHN WHITE.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 105

LETTER VI.

TO THE SAME, FROM GIL. WHITE

(on the same sheet).

DEAR SAM,

f Jack and I are newly returned from London)
where I caught a great cold. Tell your papa and mamma that
I hope they will please to come and see me this summer, and
will bring you and as many of yr sisters as is convenient.
Among other things you will be glad to see the strange sight
described above. I have been prevented as yet by indisposi-
tion from seeing it myself.

Captn Cook and Mr. Forster, it is expected, will be at
the Cape next Novem* and home about next March. The
S. and W. of England have suffered lately in a wonderful
manner by floods ; but I found by a gent, who arrived in
town from N. Wales in the midst of all those bad doings that
nothing extraordinary had happened in that way on the N.W.
side of the kingdom ; and so I find by my Bro. John's letters.
The land springs or lavants are higher on the Hants and Wilts
downs than ever they were known in the memory of man ;
and so they are at Faringdon.

Your affectionate Uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Pray write soon.

LETTER VII.*

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne, Nov. 3, 1774.
DEAR SAM,

WHEN I sat down to write to you in verse, my whole design
* [A copy of this letter was given to me many years since by a near
relative of Mr. Barker's.— T. B.]

106 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

was to show you how easy a thing it might be with a little
care for a nephew to excell his uncle in the business of versi-
fication ; but as you have so fully answered that intent by
your late excellent lines, you must for the future excuse my
replying in the same way, and make some allowance for the
difference of ages.

However, when at any time you find your muse propitious,
I shall always rejoice to see a copy of your performance, and
shall be ready to commend, and, what is more rare and more
sincere, even to object and criticise where there is occasion.

A little turn for English poetry is no doubt a pretty accom-
plishment for a young gentleman, and will not only enable
him the better to read and relish our best poets, but will, like
dancing to the body, have an happy influence even upon his
prose compositions. Our best poets have been our best prose
writers ; of this assertion Dry den and Pope are notorious in-
stances. It would l)e in vain to think of saying much here
on the art of versification : instead of the narrow limits of a
letter, such a subject would require a large volume. How-
ever, I may say in a few words that the way to excell is to
copy only from our best writers. The great grace of poetry
consists in a perpetual variation of your cadences : if possible
no two lines following ought to have their pause at the same
feet.

Another beauty should not be passed over ; and that is, the
art of throwing the sense and power into the third line, which
adds a dignity and freedom to your expressions. Dryden in-
troduced this practice, and carried it to great perfection ; but
his successor, Pope, by his over exactness, corrected away
that noble liberty, and almost reduced every sentence within
the narrow bounds of a couplet. Alliteration, or the art of
introducing words beginning with the same letter in the same
or following line, has also a fine effect when managed with
discretion. Dryden and Pope practised this art with won-
derful success. As, for example, where you say "the polished
beetle," the epithet " burnished " would be better for the
reason above. But then you must avoid affectation in this
case, and let the alliteration slide in, as it were, without de-

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 107

sign ; and this secret will make your lines bold and nervous.
There are also in poetry allusions, similes, and a thousand
nameless graces, the efficacy of which nothing can make you
sensible of but the careful reading of our best poets, and a
nice and judicious application of their beauties. I need not
add that you should be careful to seem not to take any pains
about your rhimes ; they should fall in, as it were, of them-
selves. Our old poets laboured as much formerly to lug in
two rhiming words as a butcher does to drag an ox to be
slaughtered ; but Pope has set such a pattern of ease in that
way, that few composers now are faulty in the business of
rhiming.

When I have the pleasure of meeting you, we will talk
over these and many other matters too copious for an
Epistle.

Yours affectionately.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER VI11.

TO MRS. BARKER.

London, Nov. 26, 1774.
DEAR SISTER,

I HAVE been indebted to you for some time in the letter way;
but as I have lately written to Sam, I was in hopes that a
letter to one of the family would express my regard for the
whole, and excuse my other obligations for a time. My busi-
ness in town is to meet my Bro. John, and to bring up Jack,
who is grown so tall and large that it is full time that he was
settled in the world.

Originally I intended to have met Bro. J. in town, and to
have accompanied him to Blackburn, and so to have spent the
winter between that place and Lyndon ; but just as I thought
I had at last procured help for my church, my assistant was
called into Devon, to return he knows not when : " ibi omnis

108 COKKESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

effusus labor." Sam will tell you the meaning of the Latin.
Molly White thrives well at Selborne, and grows tall, fair and
handsome, and is a fine girl ; Nanny Woods also is very stout
and hardy, and is a nut-brown maid. Poor Nanny White,
who came to Newton in so deplorable a condition, has for
these last five weeks mended in a most marvelous manner, so
that her friends about her have good hopes — and, if she has
no relapse, will be again soon in a comfortable state, tho'
London, I fear, will be no ways fit for her for some time *.
Berriman lies still in the same sad deplorable way, helpless
and hopeless I

Winter comes on with hasty strides this year ; and I begin
to fear we shall have a severe one. Tell my niece Betty that
I don't love snow now near so well as when I was of her age; I
then thought it a very amusing pleasing meteor.

Jack is five feet 8 inches and f high without shoes, and
proportionably large. Pray tell Sam that I shall expect to
hear from him in prose or in verse, in Latin or English, as he
likes best. The insinuation that Mrs. Chapone f is a papist is
a foolish slander, thrown out by somebody that envies her her
literary reputation. I have been assured since that she is an
Italian stage-dancer !

I am, with all due respect to all friends,

Your affectionate Brother,

GIL. WHITE.

* [This young lady was the daughter of Benjamin White. The hopes
of her recovery were fallacious j she died at Newton in October 1777, at
the age of 21, and was buried at Selborne. — T. B.]

t [This was the well-known authoress, to whom, when Miss Mulso,
Gilbert WTiite was attached, and of whom an account is given in the
memoir. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 109

LETTER IX.

TO MRS. BARKER

(with the following letter to Samuel Barker).

Selborne, March 30, 1775.
DEAR SISTER,

I COULD have much wished to have spent part of last winter
with you ; but just as I thought I had got a gent, to supply
my church, he was called suddenly into Devon. Harry has
got a large family indeed ; Bro. Tho. and I were lately at the
Xtening of his last boy, whose name is Edward. Our brother
has lately much enlarged his house, which could no longer
contain his numerous family : a new kitchen, and a new par-
lour over that, and garrets over that, all very large and roomy,
make the house now very commodious ; and nothing is to be
regretted but the expence. As building is catching, I also
talk of some addition to my house next summer ; but I much
suspect my resolution in setting about it*. Bro. John was
disappointed in placing his son in London, and now thinks of
placing him with a linen-draper at Manchester — a scheme, I
think, much for the better in all respects ; for in London they
ask most enormous fees, and Bro. Ben has just given £250
with Edmund to Mr. Hounsom in Fleet Street. Alice Boxall,
who removed after her husband's death to her daughter's, is
lately dead, as is also John Neal. Poor Berriman lies in
the same deplorable way still! Nanny Woods continues
stout and well, and is a fine brown maid ; her hair is remark-
ably fine. Molly White is very well, and is stout and large
of her age, and a giant to Mrs. Etty. Your kind present
to your native place I have disposed of in part; such gratuities
in these hard times are very acceptable. Mrs. Isaac writes
me word that her aunt Weston died intestate, and that by
standing in her mother's shoes she shall come in for about

* [He, however, completed his drawing-room (24 ft. by 18, and 12
high) in 1777.— T. 13.]

110 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

£5000. Altogether her children will be finely provided for.
I am concerned to hear that Mrs. K. Isaac has such poor
health. With respects to all the family, I conclude,
Dear Sister, your affectionate and obliged Brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Mr. and Mrs. Etty and niece join in respects. Friends are
well at Newton. Bro. John is in pretty good forwardness
with his Fauna Calpensis, or Natural Hist, of Gibraltar.

I forgot to tell my nephew in the proper place that Dry-
den's ode on St. Cecilia is nothing else, for an hundred lines
together, but beautiful numbers, finely adapted to the sense.

He will, I hope, write soon.

Fierce frost at present, with snow. Woe to the wall-fruit !

LETTER X.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

March 30, 1775,

DEAR SAM,

As I took no copy of my last hasty letter on Poetry, I am
not very certain how far I went in that subject, and what I
omitted. However, I think I said nothing concerning the
power that masterly writers possess of adapting their numbers
to their subjects, or rendering the sound an " echo to the
sense."

Homer and Virgil no doubt enjoyed this faculty in great
perfection, and have shewed wonderful instances of it ; but
then you must remember that fanciful commentators have
over-refined on this power, and have found numberless beau-
ties of this kind which the authors neither percieved nor in-
tended.

The English language is very capable of being conducted
to this perfection ; and Pope in particular, in his translation
of the Iliad, has frequently imitated the original most happily
in this way. In his essay on criticism (which he published,

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. HI

as I remember, at 16 years of age) he has given several in-
stances of this sort of power, as

" And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows," &c.

But the finest instance that I remember in our own lan-
guage for several lines together, is in old John Dryden's
translation of a simile in Virgil, which, though I have not
seen for these 20 years, I shall never forget on account of its
singular elegance *.

" As when a dove her rocky hold forsakes,
Rous'd, in a fright her sounding wings she shakes ;
The cavern rings with chattering, — out she flies,
And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies :
At first she flutters ; but at length she springs
To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings."

" mox ae're lapsa quieto,
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque comnaovet alas."

In short, John Dryden is to me much the greatest master
of numbers of any of our English bards ; but then, contrary
to most men, he never arrived at perfection 'til he was very
old.

Ehime in itself is barbarous and Gothic, and unknown to
the ancients, who would have despised such a jingle ; but then
it must be remembered that modern languages being destitute
of the beauties derived from terminations and inflection, re-
quire some substitute. Besides, some of our best poets have
conducted rhime with such address that it seems to fall in of
its own accord, without their seeking; and if rhimes are
shackles, yet these people move so gracefully in them, that we
would not wish to see them divested of them.

Blank verse is, no doubt, when well conducted, full of dig-
nity ; but then perfection in that way is so rare that we never
had but two or three poems that were worth reading. A de-
sire of raising the diction above prose pushes men into fustian
and bombast. Even the great Milton, the father of blank
verse, is not always free from this vice, but ransacks the

* [This passage, with the original, appears afterwards at the close of
letter XLIV. (the last) to Pennant, at p. 112 of the 1st volume.— T. B.J

112 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

whole circle of sciences for a set of hard words and rumbling
terms that make his readers stare.

As to Thomson (not Tompson), his seasons are sweet poems,
full of just description and fine moral reflections ; but then
this Scotch bard, thro' a desire of elevating his language above
prose, falls also into fustian sometimes ; and though he thinks
much like a poet, is often faulty in his diction.

The ' Cyder ' of John Philips, a didactic and Georgic poem
in blank verse, is worthy your attention. This man dyed
young ; but had he survived 'till he had acquired a little more
ease, and 'till time had somewhat mellowed his muse, he had
been an excellent poet.

• Somerville, quite in advanced life, wrote his ' Chace,' a poem
full of warmth and spirit and all the enthusiasm of a young
sportsman.

Thus have I given you my crude sentiments in a hasty way
on the subject of English poetry. If my remarks afford any
pleasure or information, my intention will be fully answered.

Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn appear now every clear
night, as it were in a line ; but how and when am I to find
Mercury ? Had it not been for your father, who shewed him
to me at Lyndon in 1760 for near a fortnight together, I
should never have seen him at all.

Yours affectionately,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XL

TO SAMUEL BAEKER.

Riugmer, Augst 12, 1775.
DEAR SAM,

SUSPECTING from the habits and shape that fern-owls might
resemble the cuckow in its internal construction, I procured
two, and found my suspicions not ill grounded ; for upon dis-
secting the crop or craw behind the sternum immediately on
the bowels, it was bulky and hard, and stuffed with ' PhalcencB

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 113

of several sorts. Now, as it appears that this bird, which un-
doubtedly sits itself, is formed exactly as cuckows are, we may
reasonably conclude that Mr. Herissant's conjecture that
cuckows are incapable of incubation from the disposition of
their intestines becomes groundless, and we are still to seek
for the cause of that strange peculiarity.

G. W.

LETTER XII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Sep. 6, 1775.
DEAR SAM,

As you desired, I procured a cuckow which was in some
degree bare-breasted, yet showed no token of incubation from
any scurfiness of the skin ; besides, the bird had all the marks
of being a young one. When we had cut open the breast-
bone, and exposed the intestines to sight, we found that the
crop or craw did not lie before the sternum at the bottom of
the neck, as in the Gallincc and others, but immediately over
the bowels. This stomach was large and round, and stuffed
very hard with food, which, upon examination, was found to
consist of various insects, such as small Scarcibcei, Ptini, Elatri,
Aranew, Lilellulce, &c., the last of which I have seen cuckows
catching on the wing over Oakhanger pond more than once.
The farrago also was made up of maggots and many seeds,
which seemed to belong either to gooseberries, currants, cran-
berries, or some other berries ; so that these birds apparently
subsist on fruit and insects ; nor was there the least appear-
ance of bones, feathers or fur to support the idle notion of
their being birds of prey. The sternum of this bird seemed
to me to be remarkably short, between which and the anus lay
the crop or craw, and immediately behind that the bowels ;
and close to the backbone the parts that distinguished the bird
to be a male. Now it must be allowed, as the French anato-
mist observes, that the crop placed just upon the bowels must

VOL. II. I

114 COKRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

be in a very uneasy situation during the business of incubation;
yet the way will be to examine whether some birds that do sit
for certain are not formed in a similar manner, because then
the notion of incapacity in the cuckow from formation falls to
the ground. Now this enquiry I intend to make with a fern-
owl, and as soon as opportunity offers.

G.W.

LETTEE XIII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne, Nov. 15, 1775.
DEAR SAM,

AFTER some consideration I am in no manner of doubt but
that murmur electricum is an error of the press ; and that it
should be murmur elasticum. For what in the world has
electricity to do with hop-poles ? Why, if it had, should the
wind call it forth ? Now as to an elastic murmur, or a deep
humming sound, occasioned by the vibration of the naked
poles when agitated by the wind, I have heard it twenty
times in the months of March and April ; and moreover, when
I came to question my servant Thomas, he readily recollected
to have heard such a rushing in hop-gardens in the spring
months, and added, pertinently enough, that such a murmur
might be observed every spring in gardens among kidney-
bean-sticks, as I perfectly well remember. Therefore read
(meo periculo) elasticum, instead of electricum. The only thing
that sticks with me is that since this murmur may be so easily
and naturally accounted for by elastic vibration, why Linnaeus
should express any wonder, or be in the least pother about so
plain a matter, since it seems to me that it is as obvious why
a pole should hum when put in brisk motion, as why the
strings of an JEolian harp should, when brushed over by the
wind, produce those delicate chimings and unisons- — that is, by
vibration.- It is most probable, therefore, that there are no
hop-gardens in Sweden, and that Linnaeus never was witness

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 115

himself to such a murmur, but takes his cue from some hasty
and inaccurate correspondent.

I beg you would take two pieces of sponge of equal size,
weight, and softness, and hang them by strings over an upland
pond, in foggy wreather, the one as near the surface as possible
the other several feet above the \vater; then I desire you would
squeeze the spunges in a morning and see 'which produces the
most water. Then if the lower spunge should prove from
repeated trials to be the moistest, I should hope the fact would
in some measure corroborate my suspicions that ponds and
pools do by condensation from the coolness of their surfaces,
assimilate to themselves fogs and vapours by contact, and that
is one reason why many very little upland ponds, tho' subject
to a continual waste by cattle &c., yet never fail in the
severest droughts, while larger ponds in bottoms frequently
become dry. But as your father and you may probably hit
upon a better experiment, I desire you would try such as you
think most to the purpose *.

Moreover I desire that both of you would send me every
hint in Nat. Hist, that occurs to your minds after your recent
visit to these parts. My swallow monographies are printed
off by the R. S. in vol. 69, p. 258 : but the corrector of the
press has made sad wrork with my unfortunate letters ; for in
one place he makes me say that "swallows eat grass," and in
another uses caves instead of eaves ; moreover he has trans-
posed my letters so as to misplace them, though I numbered
them most exactly, and by that means has made a jumble of
dates, besides putting two whens in one sentence and many
more inaccuracies too numerous to mention ! 0 fie ! for so
young a man to use glasses that magnify 2<K) times, when
Linmeus planned and perfected his whole sexual system

I wish you joy that Jupiter is restored to his liberty and

* [This subject is discussed in a very interesting manner in the XXIXth
letter to Baines Barringtou, Vol. I. pp. 192 to 195. It is probable that
the experiments suggested above were carried out, as the more elaborate
observations addressed to Barrington are dated three months later than
this letter to his nephew, — T. B.]

12

116 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

dignity ; for the Cornish man has seized on him and appro-
priated him to himself as a new discovered world.

Mr. Etty and I live here by ourselves, and, having no wives
to controll us, do as we please : only we are deterred from
going to London by the influenza. Pray return my best
thanks to my sister for her agreeable present : and to your
father and sisters for their company and conversation at
Selborne. I acknowledge myself much in your debt, and
shall endeavour to pay you in kind. Did you find rushes as
much in use at Lyndon as Mrs. Eashleigh has done at * ?
Many gent, at Oxford had never heard of rushes, perhaps
because they were gent.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XIV.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Jan. o, 1776.

DEAR SAM,

GOSSAMER has from old times attracted the attention of the
curious. Chaucer mentions it among the phenomena of
nature not well understood or accounted for, such as thunder,
c.

The Tabanus bovinus, I verily believe, has nothing in its tail,
or blood-sucking rostrum, but a Musca-like proboscis. I have
seen it suck the galled parts of Sir Sim. Stuart's working
oxen, without giving them any pain or offence. It abounds
most in moist places, and sultry weather. The CEstrus cnrvi-
cauda lays its nits, I know, but in the warm hours of the day;
for my horses which are in stable all day, and out a-nights,
are never covered with these eggs at home.

Pray examine those little dancing Diptera ( Tipulce I suppose
they are) that sport the winter through, in fog, gentle rain,
and even in frost and snow when the sun shines. Every

* [In the MS. the name of the place is quite illegible. — T. B.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 117

sunny Jay when the sun shines they abound ; and in warm
lanes and under hedges the air swarms with them. Within
doors woodlice, spiders, and Lepisrnce are in motion, and many
Mwce in the stable ; and earthworms come forth every mild
evening ; so that in mild weather insects are not so much
laved up as is imagined. Some Phalcenca fly also all the
winter. * * * *

G. W.

LETTER XV.

TO MRS. BARKER.

Thames Street, Feb. 7, 1776.
DEAR SISTER,

MR. ETTY, Charles, and I came to town on Jan. the 22 and 23,
and found the public roads better than we expected. Mr. E.
brought up his son and has placed him at St. Paul's school,
hoping that by means of good friends he may procure him
some considerable exhibitions, that may help to support him
in an university education.

As to Mr. W. you must not wonder or resent because he
does not write ; for when his daughter had a fever more than
an year ago, Mrs. E. wrote to him every post for many
weeks ; yet he never returned one answer. However, when
all was over he sent her a very handsome set of tea-china.
And now during inoculation he never wrote once in the time
or since, but is going to make a very handsome present of
plate. Thus you see some men are of a very un writing con-
stitution, and yet neither want gratitude nor generosity.

13ro. Tho. talks of leaving oft', and is letting down his stock
in trade by degrees. Bro. Harry I found here : he was
snowed in for a fortnight or more, and when he went away
on Jan. 25 wrote word that it was with the utmost difficulty
that he got along, and that if he had attempted a week sooner
he would have been stopped by the wnv.

118 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

I have been spending some days at my Bro. Ben's new
house at S. Lambeth, which is very commodious and very
handsomely furnished. The rooms are rather small ; but my
Bro. has removed the partition between the two parlors, and
so has made one good sitting room : he has besides an other
parlor below and a drawing room above stairs of 27 feet in
length ; but it is narrow. This room my sister has furnished
in a splendid manner. In short they, who have eleven children,
shame me who have none and yet make a pother about
building one room. Nanny recovers very fast by living in
the country ; and my sister looks much the better for being
out of town. In short this house will probably lengthen all
their days. Poor Berriman lies in the same sad state !
Farmer Parsons has been near death with a fever; but is
better. Abram Loe is dead and has left a widow and five
small children. Farmer Turner has left his ale-house and is
retired to his new house. He is before this, I trust, marry ed
to his House-keeper Rose Rawkins : the Bridegroom is 71,
and the bride 69 ! I used to say that female beauty does not
last above a century ; but now 1 begin to retract.

(On the same sheet with the following to " Sam " and to
Mr. Barker.)

LETTER XVI.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Thames Street, Feb. 7, 1776.
DEAR SAM,

I THANK you for your kind and* intelligent letter ; but you
never told me whether the good people of Lyndon burn rushes
or not, nor what you think of my amendment of 'murmur
electricum of Linn. Dr. Hales, in Veget. Statics, settles the
point from experiment that the moister earth is, the more dew
it attracts, and that a surface of water attracts more moisture
from the air than a surface of moist earth. I wish I could

CORRESPONDENCE WITH IILS FAMILY. 110

assist you in mosses : time and practice will render you more
adroit; but some lessons would be better. Dr. Forster has
already published a quarto volume of Antarctic ovnera, new
genera with cuts. It is a splendid book, in Latin, and dedi-
cated to the kino-, Bro. Ben. has a share. The Dr. has done
honour to his friends, and has got a Barrincjtonia, a JBanksia,
a X/n'tfiflditf. a Skinm'rta*, &c. The Barrinytonia'f is a noble
flower and is polyandvisi monogynia. The latin I think is
good. His nautical work, in English, is now under correc-
tion, as to stile and idiom, at Oxford. Pray be more explicit
about " the influence of the W. and S. exposure on our
trees." We that see y™ daily do not so much observe.
"\Vrite very soon, and direct to this house. Send me all
manner of hints for Nat. Hist. I have made a visit to
Grimm. Bro. John has finished his Fauna. The work will
be large. Mr. Barr. wants me to join with him in a Nat.
Hist, publication ; but if I publish at all, I shall come forth
by myself. Bro. Tho. is laying up materials for a History of
Hants. • He will some day take an artist down.

LETTER XVII.

TO THOMAS BARKER.

Thames Street, Feb. 7, 1776.
DEAR SIR,

OUR snow, like yours, was not very great, but most marvel-
ously drifted thro' the hedges, so as to fill all our lanes and
cover the gates. I was forced to dig my way out of the
village, and to ride for two Sundays following to Farr.
attended by Pioneers. As long as I stayed, the therm1" con-
tinued abroad at 20. But on Jan. 28 (Thomas writes mo
word) it fell to 7, on 29 to 6; on the 30 it was at 10; and
on the 31 it descended to half a degree below 0 !! a degree of
cold beyond any instance that I have yet heard of! There

* [Skinncria was not finally removed from Fuchsia. — T. B.]
t \B. spcciosa, Forst, Rumph. Herb. Amb. 3, 114.— T. B.]

120 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

was a rime. At S. Lambeth it was at 7. It froze under our
beds in London !

Thanks for your information respecting Mercury. Pray
throw out all sorts of Nat. hints. I have employed the keeper
of Domes-day Book to transcribe all relating to Selborne; and
am to pay kd.per line: besides I have apply ed for a transcript
of all relating to the Priory in Magd. Coll. archives. Pray
send me word what rivers were frozen in Italy ; were they in
Lombardy or in the more S. parts ? Virgil in the Georg.
mentions freezing rivers. Mr. Gibbon, a Hants Gent, pub-
lishes next week his 1st vol. in 4to of a Hist, of the latter Rom.
Empire ; there will be 4 vols. in all. I conclude respectively
Your affectionate Bro., Uncle, & Bror,

GIL. WHITE.

Respects to family.

Mr. Gibbon begins with Trajan *. Pray write soon.

LETTER XVIII.

FROM THOMAS BARKER TO GILBERT WHITE.

Lyndon, Feb. 13, 1776.

REV. SIR,

WE received your three letters in one ; and as you desire to
hear before you go out of town, I here sit down to write one.
I find your cold was greater than ours. January 20 was
remarkable : it was a cloudy morning, and as long as it con-
tinued so the cold was moderate ; but as soon as it cleared up
about noon it grew sharper, and at eight at night it got down
to 11, after which it rose again. You asked Sam his opinion
of the west and south exposure : he may tell you his opinion ;
and I will tell you mine. The south-west sides of trees do
not suffer at all here, nor in most places where I go ; but I

* [Gibbon resided near Petersfield, and appears to have been well
known to Gilbert White. The first volume of his celebrated work was
published on Feb. 17, 1776.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. m

believe on such burning chalk and flint as the South Downs
and Ambresbury* plains the scorching S.W. sun does more
damage than the wind. This agrees with what your brother
H. says, that wherever they can keep the ground moist the
trees always thrive. So at Ringmer the trees and hedges
toward the Downs are all cut; but as soon as you have
passed Ringmer going towards Norlington you soon lose
sight of any cutting by the sea-winds, which probably injure
the plants as far as they blow the spray of the sea.

I do not know what rivers of Italy Mr. Heathcote spoke of
as having been frozen this winter. I find his information
came from Mr. Taylor, a clergyman whom I believe you
formerly knew at Oriel College. He is now in Italy. His
letter is dated at Rome, and says, " We have had colder
weather here than in England. The river Arno at Florence
has been frozen over, which it has not been these 13 years,
and a pond 5 miles over, made by Augustus near Ostium,
14 miles from hence, which has not happened in the memory
of man." The 13 years since the Arno was frozen will reach
back just to the 5 weeks frost of January 1763, when there
was that most remarkable rime, a most settled frost without
breath of wind or glimpse of sun.

Your sister and nieces join in compliments to yourself and
all friends, I being, dear brother,

Your humble servant,

T. BARKER.

LETTER XIX.

FROM SAMUEL BARKER TO GILBERT WHITE.

Lyndon, Feb. 13, 1776.
DEAR SIR,

IF Linnaeus's murmur be nothing more than the rushing of
the wind among the poles of a hop-garden, it is wonderful, as

* [An old, perhaps the more correct, way of spelling what is now
Amesbury ?]

122 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

you observe, that he should make any difficulty about it : on
the other hand, there is no apparent connection between
electricity and hops; so that probably it is some mistake of his
correspondent.

During the late frost we observed that the cold was con-
stantly most intense when the sky was clear. There was
little or no rime here till the 31st of January, the day before
the thaw. Does not a rime after a series of clear steady frost
frequently precede a thaw? The rime in 1763 lasted the
whole frost; but the sun had never appeared during the whole
time."

Since the breaking of the frost the weather has been in
general wet and windy. On the night of the 5th there was a
violent gust which lasted but few minutes, that blew down many
hay-stacks, stripped houses, &c. ; the windows of a gentle-
man's hot-house at Uppingham were shattered to pieces.
Wo be to his exotics !

The influence of the S.W. exposure seems to consist in
weakening vegetation so that the heads of trees in such a
situation are thin of branches, and sometimes incline to the
N.E. Of the four firs on Baker's-hill the easternmost is
apparently the most thriving. Are the bodies of such trees
prevented from growing to their full size, or are the leaves
only and smaller boughs affected ? Does grass and other
vegetables suffer from this exposure ?

The use of rushes as a substitute for candles is unknown in
Rutland. Some of the poorest people, particularly manu-
facturers, use a kind of lamps that scarcely serve to make
darkness visible ; if they could be persuaded to try rushes the
advantage would be considerable.

I should be glad to know how you like Mr. Grimm's per-
formances. As your views consist principally of woods, an
artist ought to be perfect in that difficult branch of drawing
to give you satisfaction. The beautiful scenes of woods rising
above one another, so pleasing to the eye, if not well ex-
pressed would on paper appear heavy and solid.

Aratus, in his ' Prognostics/ line 301, mentions apa^via
" floating in the still air " as an indication of settled weather.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 123

Arc we to understand by this the spiders themselves, or gos-
samer ?, as the word admits of both senses.

The same poet observes that cattle feed eagerly at the
approach of storms — a circumstance that was taken notice of
here the night the snow began. A naturalist acquainted with
the plants imd animals of Greece would receive much pleasure
and information from perusing the whole poem.

My uncle Thos. desired me last year to observe whether
the magnetic needle was affected during the appearance of
bright northern lights : there has been no opportunity of
remarking this, as during the whole winter there have been
very few of them,, and those inconsiderable. He also wanted
to find an account of the ergot or horned rye, and the dis-
temper it occasioned : this I have met with in the 55th vol.
of the Phil. Trans, for the year 1765, no. 17, page 106 <fec.

If during your stay in town you should happen to meet any
of your botanical friends, I should be extremely obliged to
you if you would ask which are the male and female flowers
of mosses, and how^ they are distinguished, as I can discern no
tokens of sexuality in the antherce ; and also what the recep-
tacle is, and where situated.

I wonder Linnaeus should not refer to Ray's ' Synopsis,' as
Morrison, whom he quotes, takes whole descriptions from it.

With my sincerest respects to yourself, my uncle Thos.,
and uncle Benj.'s family, I conclude, Sir,

Yours affectionately,

SAMUEL BARKER.

LETTER XX.

TO THOMAS BARKER.

London, March 20, 1776.
DEAR SIR,

* All our chalk barley was greatly damaged : we
have none good but from the sands, where their harvest was
earlier. The former sells for about 20s, and the latter for

124 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

about 26s. Farther west, where they have nothing but chalk
downs, all their barley was pretty well spoiled; so that Harry
complains he cannot, as yet, get any price at all for his crop.
What pigeons in a state of nature may do I cannot pretend
to say ; but this I know, that tame pigeons which are pam-
pered by high feeding and lie perhaps under more frequent
temptations from living together in crowds, are apt to forget
the rules of strict chastity, and follow too often the example
of people in high life. As to the smaller birds, it would be
very difficult to ascertain the identity of the man and wife in
different years.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

I thank you for this hint, and shall always be glad of more.

LETTEK XXI.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

London, March 20; 1776.
DEAR SAM,

You may comfort yourself that you are not the only person
that finds himself under difficulties respecting the sexuality of
mosses ; for Mr. Curtis is by no means satisfyed concerning
the distinctions made use of, but suspects very much that
there are not the same obAaous distinctions in them which in
the more common plants so rationally support the Linnaean
system. He is a very friendly man and always willing to
communicate, and has therefore desired me to send you down
the enclosed plate, containing representations of the fructifi-
cation &C. of his mosses, such as he uses in his own lectures
on the occasion. In the plate respecting the male and female
Vallisneria you will see a wonderful instance of the wisdom
of providence *.

* [The female flowers of Vallisneria are kept floating on the surface of
the water by the tendril-like construction of the flexible stalk; the male

CORRESPONDENCE WITH TIES FAMILY. 125

Mrs. Stebbing and I go down to S. together on Friday in a
p. c liaise. I shall not forget to take my sister's present.

Yours affect.,

GIL. WHITE.

The water-snails, two or three species now begin to be
buoyant, and to crawl with their bellies upwards on or
against the surface of the water. We have none round
Seleburne *.

LETTER XXII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne, July 1, 1776.
DEAR SAM,

IN the larger plants in general I found no difficulty at all,
being assisted by Linn., Hudson, Ray's Synopsis Stirpium,
&c. : but as to the mosses, I did not care to meddle, because
they were become too minute for my eyes, before they begun
to be employed in those enquiries. As to the genera of Orchis,
Ophrys, and Serapias, there is great obscurity among them,
as Linn, tacitly acknowledges, by calling in the distinction of
their roots in his specific descriptions. In his system the
distinctions should lie in the corolla, stalks, leaves. As to the
different sorts of garden fruits, they are the production of
cultivation, and belong only incidentally to the Linn, system,
but are to be sought for in Miller's Diet. &c. As to the

flowers, when the pollen is ripe, become suddenly detached from the
plant, rise at once to the surface, burst open, and scatter the pollen over
the female flowers already open to receive it. — T. B.]

* [The buoyancy of the Limnaeidre, floating with the body and shell
hanging down below the surface of the water, is caused not only by the
air within the pulmonary cavity, but also by a certain degree of hollow-
ing of the surface of the foot, the margin of which, by a sort of undulatory
motion, conducts the animal slowly along the surface of the water. — T. B. ]

126 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

Nymplicea alba, the white water-lily, there are none in this
parish, but are to be found in Wishanger pond in the parish
of Frinsham : if I knew when the seeds were ripe I would
endeavour to procure some.

Dr. Forster assured me that he saw, some few times,
appearances in the sky in the S. hemisphere, very similar to
those we call aurorce boreales.

Our first young brood of swallows was marvellously early,
appearing on June 15 : the first week in July is the usual
time. I have written to Grimm, and don't know but that I
may see him next Monday : I expect also my nep. Rich.
White, who is to stay with me some time. Nanny Woods is
to dine with me to-day : she is tender and has got a cough.

We have built a new Hermitage, a plain cot; but it has
none of the fancy and rude ornament that recommended the
former to people of taste : this is strong and substantial, and
will stand a long while, fire excepted.

Our solstice is cool and shady, but not very wet : I have
ricked my St. foin in fine order ; this day I begin to cut my
meadow grass, which will prove a bigger crop by one 3rd than
that of last year. Cucumbers do not succeed well in general
this year. My bank, which was lowered Avhen you w^ere here,
is now very gaudy and full of flowers. I have much wall-
fruit, and a fine show for grapes ; pears, plums, apples and
cherries without number. As I was visiting last Tuesday at
Bramshot I saw on the Portsmouth road Burgoyne's light
horse marching down to embark for N. America. The horses
were fine and the men fine young fellows ; but they all look'd
very grave, and did not seem much to admire their destina-
tion. The Atlantic is no small frith for cavalry to be trans-
ported over : the expence will be enormous ! Brother and
sister Harry have been in town and at Mrs. Snookes's. At
Ringmer Ben. Woods caught the measles of John Mott, and
fell with it before he left town ; but his father sent him down
to Fyfield after it came out ! None of Bro. Harr.'s children
nor Bro. Thos's has had this distemper; so there will be a sick
house and much trouble ; but the children can never fall at a
better season of the year or time of life. Now, at Mids1'

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 127

Harry is to have a young gont. at the noble price of £150 pr
ami. Ilarrv and his wife (no small personages) and seven
children, and two canary birds, and one aberdavine, and 10
parcels, a dormouse and a puppy-dog, all went down in two
post-chaises.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XXIII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Ringmer, Aug. 19, 1776.
DEAR SAM,

A KNOWLEDGE of the grasses is the most desirable part of
botany, because the most useful: but it is the most neglected;
for graziers and farmers do not seem to distinguish any one
sort of Gramen from the other — the annual from the perennial,
the succulent from the dry, or the aquatic from the upland ;
whereas by attention their meadows and pastures might be
much improved ; and it is an old maxim, that he is an useful
member of society, a good common-wealths man "who can
procure two blades of grass where only one grew before."

I am not a little pleased 'to find that you have got the
Hirundo riparia just at hand, because I shall expect from a
man of your accuracy some circumstances of information
which I cannot so well make myself master of at the distance
of AVolmer forest. You will be pleased an other year to
attend to the exact season of their coming and departure,
time of nidification, and bringing out their first and second
brood &c. &c. Pay attention also to the other three species ;
for I shall be glad of any well attested anecdotes, intending
some time hence to publish a new edition of my 'Hirundines '
in some way or other*.

* [His two papers on this subject had been read at the Royal Society
respectively in February 1774 and March 1775. He here evidently fore-
shadows his future book. — T. RJ

128 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

My artist Mr. Grimm stayed with me 27 days, 24 of which
he worked very hard and displayed great tokens of genius and
assiduity. He finished twelve drawings, one of which was a
view of Hawkley hanger ; but that scape I think did not
succeed so well as some others. Bro. Harry made me a visit
and was very much delighted with what was going on, and
in particular with a view of the hermitage *, which G. is to
copy for him in town. From me my artist went to Mr.
Yalden t, and took a view of his house and outlet at the edge
of his chalk-pit. The employer wanted and intended a view
from the alcove ; but the draughtsman, as well as myself,
objected much to the uniformity of that scene : so I carried
G. to the chalk-pit on the W. side of the house, from whence
he took a charming view. From Newton I carryed G.
to Ld Clanricarde's at Warnford, where in the gardens he
took a perspective internal view, section, and elevation of a
very curious old hall or church, unknown to the antiquaries,
for a gent, visiting there, who will one day oblige the world
with this neglected and obscure curiosity, now a barn. It is
supposed to have been built by Kg John. The order is
Saxon. From hence G. went to Winton, to work there for a
week or ten days on his own account, and is to call at
Hartely on his return. I regret much that King John's Hall
had not remained unnoticed a little longer, 'til my Bro. Tho.
had been a little more at liberty ; for when he has done with
business he proposes to entertain himself with collecting
materials for an history of the county of Southton : and I
moreover marvel that I had never heard of this hall before.

Our people know nothing of the use of the rind or peel of
the Juncus effusus for cordage.

I rejoice to hear that you learn French: you will very soon
be able to read it.

The weather has been now very showery for just a fort-

* [This forms the vignette in the title-page of the first and several
subsequent editions of the book ; and the original drawing in Indian ink
by Grimm is now before me, in a copy of the work belonging to the
Rev. Edmund Field.— T. B.]

t [Vicar of Newton Valence.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 129

night : our harvest is in a very bad way. When I arrived
last Friday evening I was surprized to find Mrs. H. Isaacs and
niece Becky at supper with my aunt. B. is grown beyond all
knowledge. Nep. Richard, who has left school, is here with me.
Mr. Shad well has left Stoneham Farm, which is raised from
250 to 400 pr ann. Thanks to Molly White for her agreeable
letter. On the Friday you mention my therm1" rose up to 79
wit Inn doors — a pitch which I have scarce ever seen exceeded.
Wheat grows in the sheaf. You have the Stoparolce, I find ;
but say nothing of the white-throat, black-cap, Reguli non-
cristati 3 species, the redstart. Respects to all.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

We have just weighed Timothy, who is encreased in weight
just one ounce and an half since last August. Stoparolce
come to Selborne May 20, depart about Sept. 7.

LETTER XXIV.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Fyfield, Nov. 1, 1776.
DEAR SAM,

JUST as I thought you had been master of the manners and
customs of the bank-martin, you write me word that you do
not know it when you see it. The case is, you did not begin
to look 'til the decline of summer, when all the Hirundines
cease to frequent their nesting-places. If you will pay some
attention to those holes in the spring, you will probably see
the owners busyed in the matter of nidification : besides they
are to be distinguished from their congeners by their small
size, their mouse-colour, and their wriggling desultory manner
of flying. Pray observe when they come first.

The instance you give of the swiftness of an hawk was
somewhat extraordinary. But a very intelligent person
assured me that he once saw a more extraordinary instance of
command of wing in a daw, which is not very remarkable for

VOL. II. K

130 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

feats of activity of that kind. As this person was riding on
Salisbury Plain he saw a bird on the wing dropping some-
thing from its bill, and catching it again before it came to the
ground, several times repeatedly : this unusual sight drew his
attention, so that he rode nearer, and saw the same feat
repeated to his great surprize. It appeared to him that the
ball dropped and recovered was a wallnut. Now a wallnut, I
should think, would fall much faster than a dead bird, whose
feathers would meet with resistance from the air.

In 24 days Mr. Grimm finished for me 18 drawings, the
most elegant of which are: — 1. a view of the village and Hanger
from the short Lithe*; 2. a view of the S.E. end of the
Hanger and its cottages, taken from the upper end of the
Street ; 3. a side view of the old hermitage, with the hermit
standing at the door ; this piece he is to copy again for Un.
Harry ; 4. a sweet view of the short Lithe and Dorton from
the lane beyond Peasecod's house. He took also two views of
the Church, two views of my outlet, a view of the Temple
farm, a view of the village from the inside of the present
hermitage, Hawkley hanger (which does not prove very
engaging), and a grotesque and romantic drawing of the
waterfall in the hollow bed of the stream in Silkwood's vale
to the N.E. of Berriman's house. You need not wonder that
the drawings you saw by Grimm did not please you; for they
were 3s. 6d. pieces done for a little ready money ; so there
was no room for softening his trees &c. He is a most elegant
colourist; and, what is more, the use of these fine natural
stainings are altogether his own : yet his pieces were so
engaging in Indian-ink, that it was with regret that I sub-
mitted to have some of them coloured. Mr. Wyndham of
Sarum has engaged G. next summer for 8 or 9 weeks in a
tour round N. and S. Wales. I rejoice to hear you are so
deep in French.

* [This forms the subject of the folded frontispiece to the first and to
the subsequent 4to editions. The persons represented in the plate are : —
1. The Rev. Richard Yalden, the vicar of Newton; 2. Mrs. Yalden; 3.
Mr. Etty, brother of the vicar of Selborne ; 4. Mr. Thomas White,
Gilbert's brother.— T. B.]

COilKESrONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 131

1 am wonderfully delighted with the addition to my brother's
little common parlor* ; " nequeunt expleri corda tuendo;" it
now altogether gives much ease to such a numerous family,
and is very peculiarly light, roomy, and convenient, containing
400 square feet. Mr. Amyand is a very genteel pleasing
youth. He puts me in mind of Mr. Brocket.

Yours affect.

GIL. WHITE.

Pray write soon to Selborne.

P.S. When the children are buzzing down at their spinnet,
and we grave folks sit round the chimney, I am put in mind
of the following couplet, which you will remember : —

" All the distant din that world can keep
Rolls o'er my grotto and improves my sleep."

LETTER XXV.

TO THOMAS WHITE, ESQ.f

Selborne, June 30, 1777.
DEAR BROTHER,

THE Dr.'s letter on the other side is very satisfactory and very
edifying : for it not only proves that our Temple belonged to
the Knights Templars, but that it was also a Prece.ptory, the
PRECEPTORY of RUUINGTOX, now called Southington^ not-
withstanding that Bp Tanner asserts that he never could find
more than two preceptories in this county, viz. Godesfield
and S. Badeisley. Hence we may be certain that the Bp did
not get access to the Magd. Coll. archives.

Tho' the lands of the convent and the Templars abutted on

* [Where he was staying, and whence he dates this letter. — T. B.]
t [This letter and tliat of Dr. Chandler are in substance embodied in
the Xlth letter of the Antiquities (Vol. I. p. 316). In this department
of his work the author's obligations to Dr. Chandler were very great ; and
a comparison of the present letter from him with the passage in the An-
tiquities referred to, will show this in a striking manner. — T. 13.]

K2

132 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

each other, and were intermixed, yet we see that those two
societies of Keligious lived on the best of terms, in an inter-
course of mutual good offices, exchanging lands and per-
mitting roads to be opened for each other's mutual conve-
nience. We see also that Blackmere and Bradshott, names
well known to modern ears, were also familiar to the neigh-
bourhood four or five hundred years ago.

I expect Dr. Chandler soon, and regret much (and he as-
sures me he does the same) that the statutes will not permit
him to bring with him the Archive papers to Selborne, which
contain much knowledge concerning the antiquities of this
place — information that has never been pryed into, but has
slumbered within the college walls ever since they were
founded.

We have drowning weather and a dismal black solstice.
Such rains make carriage very irksome, and the attendance on
building very comfortless, and brick-burning very precarious;
but the walls, I trust, will be the stronger, since the mortar is
better blended into the chinks and crevices during so sloppy
a season. Let me hear how you have sold your oak timber.

Yours, &c.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XXYI.

FROM DR. CHANDLER
(accompanying G. W.'s letter to his brother Thomas, June 30, 1777).

Oxford, June 14, 1777.
DEAR SIR,

I FIND five deeds with the seal of the Temple annexed to them.
In the Index the first is No. 2. " Concessio Rob. Samford
militis Templi cum assensu Capituli Priori et Conventui de
Selborne totius tenement! cum omnibus pertinentiis hab. de
dono Aymerici de Yasci" sine dato. No. 26 "Concessio
similis priori." Of these the first is tolerably easy to be read.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 133

The Templars convey to John the Prior, and to the Convent
for ever, " totum tenementum cum omnibus pertinentiis, sc.
in terris et . . . .in pratis et pascuis et nemoribus et in
omnibus aliis locis, quod habuimus de dono Aymerici de Vasci
[so I read] in villa, de Seleburne," to be held " libere et in-
tegre et quiete ab omni seculari . . . . et exactione," as by
the Templars, in consideration of 200 marcs sterl. paid by the
convent to them for the purchase of other lands " in subsi-
dium Sanctce terrce" One of the witnesses is styled PRECEPTOR
OF SUDINGTON. The three remaining deeds are in the Index: —
No. 139. " Concessio fratris Robu de Samford &c. de uno Che-
minio &c." sine dat. No. 140. " Concessio similis priori." No.
138. " Concessio fratris Rob" militis &c. 10 sol. annuatim in
perpetuum percipiend." sine dato. All these are likewise wit-
nessed by Richard Carpenter, Preceptor of Sudington. Nos.
139 & 140 are grants from Rob. de Samford and the Templars
of a way sufficient " ad ducendum carros et haretas, et ad fu-
gandum averia a via que se extendit de Sudington versus
Blakemere ultra terram Ricardi de la Strete usque ad terrain
dictorum Prioris et Conventus quam habent in Bradesete."
No. 138 is an engagement of Robert and the Templars to pay
to the convent " decem solidos de camera nostra annuatim in
perpetuum percipiendos ad domum nostram de Sudington,
per manum Preceptoris vel Ballim nostri, qui pro tempore
fuerit," half-yearly until the Templars should purchase lands
within a certain distance of the convent, and to be given as
an equivalent.

Yrs. R. CHANDLER.

LETTER XXVII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne, Nov. 7, 1777.
DEAR SAM,

No event that I have met with for some time has given me
more pleasure than the news of your being sent to the Uni-

134 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

versity, because, I trust, you will make the best use of this
advantage, both in your literary pursuits, and by improvement
in the knowledge of men and manners. As to a proper ac-
quaintance, you have nothing to do but to lie by, and act a
little on the reserve, and you will soon discern what young
men are suitable to your purpose ; and besides, young people
of your own turn, when they know you a little, will naturally
make some advances.

All the house-martins withdrew about the 7th of Oct., and
seemed gone to a bird 'til Nov. 4th, when 21 were seen play-
ing about under the Hanger all day, and for that day only.
The circumstance seems the more odd and amusing to me,
because I have known it befal more than once or twice.
Where were they during the interval? and where are they
now ? This event militates strongly against emigration, and
in favour of hiding. The bats do just the same all the winter
and spring ; they sleep at intervals, and then come forth, and
feed, and retire again.

The order of Polygamia frustranea is constituted, you know,
from having the florets of the disk hermaphrodite, and those
of the radius neuter. Not knowing where to apply for a
common knapweed * in bloom, I know not how to solve your
difficulty. The district round Cambridge will furnish you in
the summer with the great aquatics. When you are a little
at leisure, I shall always be glad to hear from you.
I am your affectionate friend,

GIL. WHITE.

Don't fail to practise frequently in writing English.
* [ Centaurea scabiosa, — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 136

LETTER XXVIII.

TO MRS. BARKER.

Selborne, Sep. 2, 1778.
DEAR SISTER,

MY thanks are due for your kind letter. I have now the
pleasure of seeing my house full of friends. My niece Anne
Barker pleases me much, and is a sensible intelligent young
woman. Mrs. H. Isaacs has not been here for 25 years, and,
finding every thing much altered, hardly knows the place
again. Molly White and yr daughter seem well pleased to
meet again ; Jenny and Becky White are to come to Newton
this week. Mrs. Yalden pressed their mother much to come ;
but she is in a very poor way, and chose to wave the journey.
Mrs. Snooke has just written to me with her own hand ; she
did not complain much. Last post I had a letter from Black-
burn : my brother's state of health and spirits is much the
same ; my poor sister makes sad complaints, and laments the
state of their family ; indeed they both merit the compassion of
their friends. My great parlor * is now of singular service ;
but while it is so empty the echo is very troublesome. I have
a new bed in my little red room, and have put my old white
bed up in my late drawing-room, where I lie as you ordered
me t- Bro. Harry's school thrives: he has just got three new
pupils, and expects one more; his house is now quite full.
My peaches ripen, but, the summer considered, are not so
fine as might be expected. We have fine wheat and a vast
crop of hops. Barley and oats are lean and poor. The failure
of turnips is miserable !

Your loving brother,

GIL. WHITE.

* [Built the previous year.— T. B.]
t [In which room he died. — T. B.]

136 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

LETTER XXIX.

TO SAMUEL BAKKEB.

Selborne, Sept. 2, 1778.
DEAR SAM,

I AM much pleased to find that the University and your stu-
dies there give you so much satisfaction. There is no fear
that you will neglect this opportunity of improvement, or
spend your time amiss. I should rather wish that you were
cautioned to remember that it is possible for a young man to
apply too earnestly ; and therefore I hope you will intermix
daily exercise with yr studies. To the generality of young
men I am well aware that this caution would be needless ; but
to you, who, I know, apply yourself to all laudable pursuits
with all yr might, it might not be improper.

Dr. Chandler the traveller has been with me a month, and
is just gone. He has furnished me with more curious matter
respecting the antiquities of this place, and in particular with
Will, of Wyckham's Notabilis visitatio of this Priory. From
this long instrument, consisting of 36 injunctions and repri-
mands, it appears that this institution, which had then been
founded one century, had deviated much from its original
simplicity ; for they had become mighty hunters, and used to
attend junketings and feastings, had altered their mode of
dress, and used to let suspectce come into their cloisters after
it was dark, had suffered their buildings to dilapidate, had
pawned their plate, had administered the sacrament with
such nasty cups and such nasty sour wine that men abhorred
the sight (ut sit hominibus horrori), had let down their num-
ber of brethren from 14 (the original number) to 11, had
suffered their friends and relations to hang on the convent
and eat it up, &c. They also were got into a method of lying
naked in bed without their breeches, for which they are
much reprimanded. Moreover I find that the Knights Tern-

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 137

plars, by their statutes, were enjoined constantly to sleep in
their breeches, and to have candles constantly burning in their
dormitory. Should I ever be able to finish iny work respect-
ing this my native place, the old deeds and charters &c. will
furnish a large appendix.

Your affectionate friend,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XXX.

TO MISS WHITE.

Selborae, Sept. 30, 1780.
DEAR MOLLY,

YOUR letters are always agreeable to me ; but your last was
particularly so, because it brought so good an account of the
state of yr father's health.

Finding that Larby alone would never finish his job, I hired
a whole band of myrmidons, and set them to work on the
Bostal, where they have made great dispatch, and have but
half a day's work to come, which has been delayed by the
rains. They ran through the upper part a day sooner than I
expected, because as we advanced the soil grew shallower; but
then we have been obliged to widen and raise all Larby's first
attempt, because his path was so narrow, hollow, and clayey
that it soon grtw dirty and would have been impassable. By
and with the advice of our privy council, we took a higher
direction than was at first marked out, because it much
shortened the path, and brings us out straight at the top of
the didder before you come to shop slidder at the corner of
the Wadden. In our progress we found many pyrites in the
clay as round as a ball, and some large Cornua ammonis in
the chalk. All people agree, where party does not interpose,
that it is a noble work ; but there is a junto against it called
Zigzaggians, of which Mrs. Etty is the head : but Mr. E. and
Mr. Y. would be Bostalians, if they dared. The tall trees in
the Hanger are very fine when you are among them, and the

138 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

views thro' them romantic. My nep. Barker sets out for Fy-
field on Monday, and regrets that he shall miss of you and yr
father. Bro. Ben. &c. came to Newton on Thursday.

The Bostal measures 400 yards, and the Zigzag, which is to
be nicely cleaned out, 426.

Mrs. E. and her young people set out to-morrow for Ox-
ford. Mr. E. is already in Oxfordshire.

All join in due respects and good wishes.

Your loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Oct. 1. Pray write soon.
My baromr is this evening at 28. 6. 10 J !
Thomas's brother has his ague still ; he has taken the roots
of daffy-down-dillies.

LETTER XXXI.

TO SAMUEL BARKER, ESQ.

Selbome, Nov. 23, 1780.
DEAR SIR,

YOUR letter, tho' rather late, was very acceptable. I was
glad to hear that you had a safe and pleasant journey back,
and that you were so well pleased with yr journey into Hants,
as to be able on a retrospect to speak of it with some degree
of satisfaction. The test will be whether you liked your late
reception by expressing a willingness to come again. Pray
give my respects to Mr. Brodrick, and tell him that I always
esteem my friend's friends, and therefore if he will come over
next summer, when you are here, from Pepperharrow, for a
night or two, that I shall be glad to see him, and we will
show him some such prospects in these parts as may not be
unworthy his attention.

To say the truth, the lower part of the Bostal began to be
dirty, so that the Zigzaggians (who have horns and hoofs)

-I

I

"'

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 139

began to triumph. Many of them, in the shape of horses and
heifers, ran up and down it, doing it great damage with their
feet ; but to silence all clamour, I had all the bad part well
bedded with a quantity of fern. Since this amendment, Mrs.
Etty and her sister Stebbing and Mrs. Y. have been up and
down it by night and by day, so that party feuds are likely
to be at an end. You do not, I hope, flatter me about my
Nat. Hist. ; if you do not, I am much pleased to find that an
intelligent person like yourself approves of it. Were it not
for the want of a good amanuensis, I think I should make
more progress ; but much writing and transcribing always
hurts me. All that I know about the sleep of fishes is, that
at the Black Bear inn, in Reading, there is a stream in the
garden which runs under the stables, and so under the road
into the meadows ; it is a branch of the Kennet. Now this
water all the summer is full of carps, which roll about, and
are fed by travellers, who divert themselves by tossing
them crumbs of bread. When the cold weather comes,
these fishes withdraw themselves under the stables, and are
invisible for months, during which period I conclude they
must sleep. Thus the inhabitants of the ivater, as well as
of the air and the earth retire from the severity of winter.
Timothy, your friend, retreated into his hybernaculum last
week ; he is laid up in the fruit border in a dry, wholesome,
sunny spot; at Ringmer he was forced to lie in a swamp.
My nep. Richard has been here ; he was quite transported
beyond himself with the pleasures of shooting, and, after walk-
ing more than 100 miles, killed one woodcock, which, ill-fated
bird, took the pains to migrate from Scandinavia to be slain
by a cockney who never shot a bird before ! ! ! Pleasure is a
most arbitrary matter ! The pains my nephew took in his new
pursuit would have been a great misery to many.

I conclude, your affectionate friend,

GIL. WHITE.

I made some remarks of moment on the house-martins just
before they withdrew. They do not amount to proof; but the
presumptions are very strong indeed.

140 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

Now the leaf is down, the Bostal discovers itself in a faint
delicate line running up the Hanger, such as would require
the hand of a Grimm to express it.

LETTER XXXII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

[Extract from Forster's ' Observations/ sent by G. W. to his nephew
Samuel Barker, Mar. 26, 1781.]

" I NEVER heard or read of any one who had seen the southern
lights (Aurora australis) before us ; and tho' we spent three
different seasons in or near the Arktic circle, we, however,
observed them only the first time in the year 1773 for seven
different nights. We were at that time from 58 to 60 S. lati-
tude, and the therm, at 8 o'clock in the morning stood from
31 to 33 in the open air on deck. Their appearance was much
the same as that of the N. lights : They were observed shoot-
ing up to the zenith in columns or streams of a pale light
from a dark segment as a base near the horizon, and often
spread over the whole S. hemisphere. Sometimes these lights
were so transparent that stars could be observed thro' them ;
and at other times the stream seemed to be white, and more
dense and opaque, and would not transmit the light of the
stars. We saw these meteors on Feb. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26,
and on Mar. 15 and 16." — FORSTER'S Observations in a Voyage
round the World, p. 120.

S. Lambeth, Mar. 26, 1781.
DEAR SAM,

RECOLLECTING that you enquired of me once with some earnest-
ness whether our late circumnavigators had ever observed any
auroras in the S. hemisphere, I have sent you the quotation
above, which will put the matter beyond all doubt. My thanks

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 141

are due for yr entertaining account of the Testudo aquamrn
dulcium *.

You do very right, I think, in looking into history, which
is a very gentlemanlike study. You, who have youth, health,
and a strong retentive memory on yr side, will soon make a
vast progress.

Pray tell yr mother that I thank her for her letter. Jack
White's time will not be out 'til the 16 of next June, when
he and his mother will come southward among his relations f.
What mode of life that young man will take up I have not
yet heard — whether he will walk the hospitals in town or be-
come for a time a journeyman. Poor Joe Woods, son of Mr.
Jos. Woods, a promising young man of 21, is just dead of a
decline, to the great sorrow of his parents &c. With all due
respects, I remain

Your affect, friend,

GIL. WHITE.

I propose to return home on Thursday.

Having had no rain, not once enough to measure, at this
place since the last week in Feb., the degree of dustiness is
horrible, and not to be described ! As Bro. Th. and I walked
out this morning, a gale rose from the N. which filled the
whole atmosphere with such a cloud from road to road that
the prospect was quite obscured !

On the 27 of Feb., Tuesday, the day I left Seleburne, we
had such a terrible storm of wind that vast mischief was done
in the S. and W. of England. I expected to hear of great
damage, especially in Sussex ; but was thankful to find that I
had escaped with the overturning of my alcove into the hedge,
the overthrow of my stone dial, and, what grieved me most,
because it cannot be repaired, the ravage of my great wall
and tree, which, they write word, is almost torn to pieces !
The gale began at 11 A.M., wind W. ; bnt the great damage

* [There is no indication to what species he refers. — T. B.]

t [About this time Mrs. John White, who had recently become a

widow, came to reside with her brother-in-law, and continued with him

until his death.— T. B.J

142 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

was done about 5 P.M., the wind N.W. Soon after, a calm
succeeded. Derham remarks that most tempests from the W.
vere a little at last to the N.W., and then the ravage and
damage take place.

Pray write, and on larger paper.

LETTER XXXIII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.
(From Mr. Field's copy.)

Selborne, Jan. 5, 1782.
DEAR SAM,

GOSSAMER has from old times attracted the attention of the
curious. Chaucer mentions it amongst phenomena of nature
not well understood or accounted for, such as thunder &c.
The Tabanus bomnus, I verily think, has no sting in its tail
or blood-sucking rostrum, but a Musca-like proboscis. I have
seen it suck the galled parts of Sir Simeon Stuart's working
horses without giving them any pain. It abounds most in
moist places and sultry weather. The CEstrus curvicauda
never lays its nits but in the warmer hours of the day; for my
horses which are in sfcable all day and out all night are never
covered with their eggs at home. Pray examine the little
dancing Diptera (Tipulce I suppose they are) that sport the
winter through in fog, gentle rain, and even frost and snow,
when the sun shines. Every sunny day insects abound, and
in warm sunny lanes and under hedges the air swarms with
them ; within doors wood-lice, spiders, and Lepismce are in
motion, and many MIISCCB in the stable; and earth-worms come
forth every mild evening ; so that in mild weather insects are
not so much laid up as is imagined. Some Phalcence also fly
all the winter.

Yr affect.

GIL. WHITE.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

143

LETTER XXXIV.

TO HIS NEPHEW *.

A Meteorological Diary for December 1782, kept in a village 50 miles
S.W. of London, in a woodland hilly district, and up at the head of
rivulets that run into the Thames at Weybridge. The thermometer
hangs within an open staircase.

Dec.

Ther-
raom.

Ba-

rom .

Wind.

Eairi.

Weather.

Day.

o

in.

in.

3§

29-60

N.

Sun pleasant; red evening.

2]

36

29-60

E.

Frost, fog, and rime.

3.

36

29-75

E.

Frost, rime, sun ; beautiful rimes on the

hanging woods.

4.

35

2970

N.E.

Frost, dark ; lambs begin to fall.

5.

36£

29-50

E.S.E.

Frost, dark.

6.

37

29-40

S.E.

Dark, still, mild, moist.

7.

39

29-50

S.E.

Dark, mild, thaw.

8.

37

29-70

E.

Dark and still.

9.

36

29-50

S.E.

Dark and moist ; rime on the hill.

10.

36

29-40

E.N.

Fog, dark, and moist.

11.

36

29-65

N.

Dark and still, like February; frost on

hill.

12.

36

29-35

\V.

Pleasant, spring-like.

13.

37

29-40

S.W.

0-44

Frost, thaw, rain.

14.

37

29-30

w.

Frost, sun, wind.

15.

37

29-40

w.

Frost, sun, wet.

16.

37

29-40

N.W.

0-47

Frost, thaw, rain.

17.

43

29-60

w.

Dark, wet, mild.

18.

47

29-80

S.W.

Blowing and wet ; vast condensations on

walls and wainscot; vast halo round

the moon.

19.

43

30-25

S.W.

Sun, frost, gale.

20.

42

30-20

w.

Mild, with brisk gale.

21.

44

30-10

S.W.

Paths dry, grey, brisk air, pleasant.

22.

42

30-15

N.W.

Sun, cloudless ; flies came forth.

23.

40

29-85

W.

Grey, brisk air.

24.

43

29-75

W.

Grey, beetles fly in the evening.

25.

45

30-00

N.W.

Dark and mild ; boys play in their shirts,

they did so on Xmas Day 1781.

20.

45

30-20

N.W.

Crocus's shoot ; February weather.

27.

44

31-10

N.W.

Dark, still, mild; large flock of wood-

pigeons.

28.

41

29-90

N.W.

Dark and still ; boys play at taw in the

dusty paths.

29.

43

29-80

N.W.

Do. sweet weather.

31.

42

29-90

N.W.

Frost, sun pleasant.

Total of rain in Dec. 1782 0'91 inch.

Hares frequent the garden, and eat the celeri-tops, spinago, young cab-
bages, pinks, scabiouses, parsley, &c.

* [Son of Bw^mi* White.— T. B.]

144 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

The rain on the tower caught in a receiver since Nov. 3, 1782 T42 inch.

On the ground at about 100 yards distance 1*97 „

More caught on the ground than tower 0'55 ,,

" Grateful are these solar beams ;
And when the winds are hushed 'tis sweet to view
The level ocean, earth with verdure deck'd,
The plenteous waters of refreshing springs.
And there are many beauteous objects more,
Whose praise I might recount ; yet none more welcome
Than children, when they to the house of those
Who long despaired of issue give a lustre."

WOODHULL.

DEAR NEPHEW,

IF Mr. Nichols approves of my diaries, he may have more ;
they may serve to oppose to yr father's, kept near town. I
send you Mr. Woodhull's translation of the passage from Eu-
ripides, that you may compare it with mine *. Mr. W. has
preserved the force of the word <£ao? very well. The ague-
woman, Small, has been with me ; she had two slight fits
about a fortnight ago, but not since ; she complains she is
not stout.

Pray write to me, and let me hear what alterations yv father
is making ; and I desire you would send me the ichnography
of your father's house, above, below, with the dimensions of
rooms. In this matter nephew Richard will help you; he drew
my house in that way. Tell Miss White I thank her for the
pound of tea. We had a good journey to and from Fy field.

Your loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Selborne, Nov. 29, 1783.

Sweet weather lately. I have moved my outer wicket to-
wards the foot of the hill. I am in no manner of haste about
the stockings. If they do but fit, I shall be pleased.

* [Vol. I. p. 507.— T. B.J

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 145

LETTER XXXV.

TO MARY WHITE.

Selborae, Jan. 22, 1783.
DEAR MARY,

IT is full time that I should acknowledge your late obliging
letter, and return you and your mother and sister my best
thanks for the agreeable visit that you made me in the
autumn. I have only to regret that you could not, con-
sistently with the respect that was due to other relations,
extend it out to a much greater length.

As to music, your lessons and those of your sister gave me
wonderful delight. I retain still a smattering of many pas-
sages on my memory, which I sing to myself when I am in
spirits. Indeed I am often too much affected with musical
harmony, especially of late years. The following curious
quotation strikes me much by so well representing my own
case ; and by describing what I have so often felt, but never
could so well express. " * * * Prsehabebat porro vocibus
humanis, instrumentisque harmonicis, musicam illam avium :
non quod alia quoque non delectaretur, sed quod ex musica
humana relinqueretur in animo continens quasdani, attentio-
nemque, et somnum conturbans, agitatio ; dum ascensus, ex-
census, tenores et mutationes ilia? sonorum et consonantium
euntque redeuntque per phantasiam; cum nihil tale relinqui
possit ex modulatione avium, quse, quod non sunt perinde a
nobis imitabiles, non possunt perinde internam facultatem com-
movere " *. When I hear fine music I am haunted with pas-

* [One might almost fancy that this passage from Gassendi must have
been in Izaak Walton's mind when he wrote his exquisite description of
the nightingale's song, which I cannot forbear quoting. ft The Nightin-
gale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet loud musick out of
her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think mira-
cles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps
securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet descants,
the natural rising and falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might
well be lifted above earth, and say, ' Lord, what musick hast thou pro-
vided for the Saints in Heaven, when thou affordest bad men such musick
on Earth.' " Such hold had the passage from Gassendi taken of Gilbert

VOL. II. L

146 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

sages therefrom night and day, and especially at first waking,
which, by their importunity give me more uneasiness than
pleasure, still teizing my imagination, and recurring irre-
sistibly to my memory at seasons, and even when I am
desirous of thinking of other matters : yet notwith-
standing all these fine things, I would give six pence to hear
you two maidens perform the ivopses, the lesson with the jig,
and that with the lovely minuet, &c. &c.*

The letter from Nobody puzzled the Mulso family for a long
time. At first they suspected me ; but the strange unknown
hand, the London postmark, and some other circumstances
threw them all out ; so that, to put them out of doubt, I was
forced to own the imposture, and to acknowledge that you
were accessory. Mrs. Clement held her Xtening lately : I
was godfather, and we named the child Isaac. Mr. Ch. Etty
came in this morning from Spithead, where his ship, the
' Duke of Kingston ' is lying at anchor in readiness for sailing
soon. This young gent, says that peace is the general talk,
so that he supposes they may possibly sail with a white flag,
and without any convoy at all. We have had all this winter
26 Highlanders of the 77th regiment quartered in this village
and at Oakhanger : where tho' they had nothing in the world
to do, they have behaved in a very quiet and inoffensive
manner, and were never known to steal even a turnip or a
cabbage, tho' they lived much on vegetables, and were asto-
nished at the dearness of southern provisions. Late last night
came an express ordering these poor fellows down to Ports-
mouth ; where they are to embark for India, near 100 of
them aboard Ch. Etty's ship. Un. Harry writes word that
he hopes his son Ch. will have a commission soon.

With all due respects I remain

Your affectionate uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Several of our soldiers came from Caithness.

White's mind, that he quotes it verbatim three times in his correspond*
ence.— T. B.]

* [See Letter LVI. to Daines Barring-ton, Vol. I. p. 251.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 147

LETTER XXXVI.

TO MISS MARY WHITE.

Seleburne, Feb. 7, 1783.
DEAR MOLLY,

As the Spring begins to advance, and as we propose now
being with you about the first week in March, we can hardly
wish for half an hundred of salt fish so late ; and Mrs. Gr. and
Mr. Etty, I find, are of the same mind. We must therefore
desire a note to his fishmonger to stop his hand.

Having expected the Rector of Faringdon for some time
at my house, I could not so well say whenabout we should
endeavour to get to Town ; but as he has been here we shall
hope to be at liberty as above mentioned, and we should be
glad to know if that season would be convenient.

" Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it : very beautiful
is it in the brightness thereof." Eccles. xliii. 11.

" On morning or on evening cloud impressed
Bent in vast curve, the wat'ry meteor shines
Delightfully, to th' level sun opposed.
Smit with the gaudy scone th' unconscious swain
\Yith vacant eye gazes on the divine
Phsenomenon, gleaming o'er th' illumined fields,
Or runs to catch the treasure which it sheds.

Not so the sage : inspired with pious awe
He hails the federal arch*, and looking up
Adores the God whose fingers formed this bow
Magnificent, compassing heaven about
With a resplendent verge : — l Thou mad'st the cloud,
Maker omnipotent, and thou the bow,
And by that covenant graciously hast vow'd
Never to drown the world again : henceforth
Till time shall be no more, in beauteous train
Season shall follow season, day to night
Succeed : ' inspired so sung the Hebrew bard f."

Ml.MO-MlLTON J.

* Gen. ix. 12-17. t Moses.

I [Vol. I. p. 502.— T. B.]

L 2

148 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

The end of Jan. and this month have been very wet ; so
that I fear wheat will get very high, and that the season for
our spring-crops will be bad, especially if harsh weather
succeeds at once. How will your cellars come off? When
do the young men go to college ?

Your affectte uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Mr. Denison is chosen to Holiburn school * in the room of
Mr. Willis : poor Mrs. Robinson, who has 10 children, made
what interest she could for her husband, who is at present a
navy chaplain in the W. Indies : she got two votes, her
opponent three. There are but five feofeeg, one of them a
broken blacksmith.

LETTER XXXVII.

FKOM MISS MARY WHITE.

Feb. 10, 1783.

* * * The Monthly Reviewers produce whole passages, which
Mr. Cookson has copied from their criticism on Mr. Madan's
workf.

Be so kind as to bring with you the account of the poplar
that we left at Selborne.

Since I began this, which was some days ago, I have had
the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, for which I am

* [An endowed school at Holyburn, near Alton, for the education of
the children of the parish itself, and of 12 from Alton. The master was
formerly required to be a clergyman of the Church of England, which is
not now necessary. — T. B.]

t [The work here alluded to was ' Thelyphthora,' published in 1780,
which was very generally read, and almost as generally reprobated.
Mad an, although attached to the evangelical party in the Church,
offended the feelings and principles of the religious public by his bold
advocacy of polygamy and some other doctrines obnoxious to the views
of Christians in general. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 149

much obliged to you. We shall depend on seeing you
and Mrs. J. White the beginning of March ; and I hope
the weather will continue mild and favourable for your
journey.

We are much obliged to you Sir for your rainbow ; and as
we are no poets I beg leave to send you in return two ready
made. " The fancy is infinitely more struck with the view of
the open air and sky that passes through an arch than what
comes through a square or any other figure. The figure of
the Rainbow does not contribute less to its magnificence than
the colours to its beauty, as it is very poetically described by
the son of Sirach : " Look upon the Rainbow and praise him
that made it ; very beautiful it is in its brightness : it en-
compasses the heavens with a glorious circle, and the hands of
the most High have bended it."

« * * * * Refracted from yon eastern cloud,
Bestriding earth, the grand etherial bow
Shoots up immense ; and every hue unfolds
In fair proportion, running from the red
To where the violet fades into the sky.
Here, awful Newton, the dissolving clouds
Form, fronting on the sun, thy showery prism ;
And to the sage-instructed eye unfold
The various twine of light by thee disclosed
From the white mingling maze. Not so the boy ;
He wondering views the bright enchantment bend
Delightful o'er the radiant fields ; and runs
To catch the fading glory : but amazed
Beholds th' amusive arch before him fly,
Then vanish quite away." *

* [The following charming lines from James Montgomery, embody
perhaps the most beautiful and touching figure suggested by the subject,
to be found in our language : —

11 But, see, on Death's bewildering wave,

The rainbow Hope arise ;
A bridge of glory o'er the grave
That bends beyond the skies.

150 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

You will probably see my brothers here before they go to
college, as I believe they will not leave home till the second
week in March. Mr. Grimble has sent your wig *.

Please to remember me to Mrs. J. White and thank her for
her kind letter by Mr. Etty. My father and brother desire
best respects to yourself and all friends.

With almost constant pumping we have hitherto kept the
water out of the cellar ; but a few more wet days we fear will
get the better of us.

I am, dear Sir,

Your obliged and affectionate niece,

M. WHITE.

LETTER XXXVIII.

TO THE REV. EDMUND WHITE f .

Selborne, Feb. 21, 1783.
DEAR NEPHEW,

I COULD wish that you would make it a rule to read aloud to
yourself every day some portion of S. or the Common Prayer,
tho' ever so short, and that you would also sometimes read
before a judicious friend — but at the same time plainly and
unaffectedly ; and do not aim at anything theatrical or fine,

u From earth to heaven it swells, and slimes

The pledge of bliss to man ;
Time with eternity combines,

And grasps them in a span." T. B.]

* [The following humorous lines formed the order sent by Gilbert
White to his wig-maker in London : —

t( Ye worthy friends in Abchurch Lane,

Who do our noddles thatch,
Send me a wig, but not too big,

With care and with dispatch." T. B.]

t [Son of Benjamin White, and afterwards rector of Newton Valence.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 151

but only attend well to what you read ; and your own good
sonsrt and ear will tell you at the time how to modulate your
.voice, and lay your accents justly according as you are
affected by what is before you.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Y. who are just gone, and Mr. and Mrs.
Clements in the room, join with Mrs. J. Wh. in respects,
llemember me to Whites 3tiu8, 4tu8, and 5tus. I am, dear
White 2ndu8,

Your loving friend,

WHITE lmu'.

LETTER XXXIX.

FROM SAMUEL BARKER.

Lyndon, Oct. 8, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

You received, I imagine, some days ago a letter from my
father informing you of our return to Rutland and expressing
our acknowledgements for the very agreeable entertainment
we received at Selborne. The time I spent there I remember
with extreme pleasure, and have been told several times since
my return that I am grown much fatter in my excursion.
Great indeed must be the efficacy of the three things that
could produce a visible effect on a person who has in that
respect been hitherto quite incorrigible.

At leaving Fyfield I went to London by the Bath coach ;
and as you know my propensity for seeing, you will not
wonder that I prefered a seat on the box to one within the
carriage on a fine day : the road from Andover as far as
Hampshire reaches I think very pleasant; and in crossing
the dreary heath near Blackwater, a distant view of Hind-
head, Crooksbury Hill, Guildford Downs, &c. excited very
agreeable associations. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are expected in
Rutland this week ; and I have the satisfaction of informing
you that, when my sister wrote last, she thought herself

152 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

entirely free from her cough, and was grown so hardy by
bathing, riding, and walking as to bear the air during the late
windy weather without inconvenience. Still I cannot help
being rather sollicitous on her account ; for winter in the 53d
degree of latitude, you know, must be tedious and may be
severe.

I have consulted Le Clerc's comment on the passages in
the books of Judges and Samuel that mention the deriving
presages or omens from accidental events and words spoken
without premeditation. He takes notice of the custom in
both places, and refers to the 24th chapter of Genesis, where
Abraham's servant finds Rebecca to be the person he is in
search of, by her drawing water for him and his camels — and
mentions as parallel passages the omen given to Priam (Iliad,
24. 308 &c.), and the prayer of Anchises (^Eneid, 2. 689),
which I think are rather signs requested and obtained imme-
diately from heaven than presages drawn from incidental
events, of which nevertheless the Greek and Roman writers
are full. The following story, which, whether true or false, is
taken from oriental authors, shews that the same ideas have
been prevalent in Persia and Tartary. Scheik Sefi, the pro-
phet here mention'd, lived near Ardebil in Media, at the time
that Tamerlane (Timour) overran Asia; he was celebrated for
his sanctity and miracles, and was an ancestor of Ismael
Sophi, the first prince of the family that possess'd the throne
of Persia from about 1500 to 1722, when that country was
conquer'd by Maghmoud the Afghan.

Tamerlane, after his victory over Bajazet, was passing thro'
Media, and was much persuaded to pay a visit to this Scheik,
who lived the life of a hermit in a desert.

" Omnium autem cum esset rituum religionum, nationumq.
tolerans, ac superstitionibus astrologicis maxime addictus, mi-
raculis tamen segre tribuisse fidem, vel ex hoc liquet ; quod a
familiaribus suis vix induci potuerit : ut ad visendum sa3culi
oraculum paucis parasangis a via deflecteret ; quoniam ipsum
impostorem esse, qui imperitiam vulgi luderet, firmiter sibi per-
suasum erat. Ad explorandam veritatem dum viam ingreditur,
animo tacitus proponit, crediturum se pietati hominis, si is sibi

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 163

satisfaceret in tribus quas tune excogitabat, conditionibus :
quarum prima erat si multum humanitatis, minus reverentiae,
nihil submissionis sibi exhibuerit; altera, si quid sibi, tune
admodum famelico, vescendum obtulerit insoliti quod per vitam
nunquam comedisset ; tertia, si quid stupendi visendum osten-
derit. His prsemunitus, religiosum adoritur; qui a discipulis,
adesse orbis domitorem,audiens; nihil mutato vultu, nee inter-
missa, quae oculos distinebat, lectione, introduci eum jubet; &
intranti assurgens, locoq. cedens, sessum ut ad sinistram capiat
familiariter rogat ; est enim ea sedes in hac gente honoratior.
Turn blandis verbis salutato, de victoria gratulatur ; earn non
humanis viribus, sed Dei beneficio & Providentiae tribuendam,
gravi Laconismo monens ; ut csetera taceam. Obtutu longo
Imperator senis gravitatem miratus, tandem, quod esuriret,
jentaeulum ab eodem poscit. Scheik desiderio satisfacturus,
lac et caseum promi e penu jubet, cum eremita aliud cibi
genus non haberet. Obsonium cum heros acri appetitu
manducasset, Deum testatur nunquam se satiatum cibo gra-
tioris succi, & loci sterilitatem contemplatus, quaerit, ubi sua
pascua, ubi pecora habeat. Ad quae Scheik, jugum indigitans
montium, vides illic fruticeta, inquit, haec pascua sunt : vide-
bis etiam pecora; & vibrato in altum candido linteo, assue-
factas hoc signo capricervas, ex summis culminibus in Timuri
conspectum provocat, ibi mulgenda praebentes ubera, more
mansueti pecoris. Quo viso, heros, conditionum recordatus,
eremitam vere pium & Dei 0. M. amicum agnoscit, prioris
quoq. poenitens odii, quod in caput ejus juraverat, si impOF-
torem deprehenderet, nunc reverenter habet & ab eo se
prius discessurum negat donee Scheik a se documentum
petiisset conciliatae gratiae." — Kcempfer, Amcenitates Exoticve,
Fascic. 1.

This interview, but without these particulars, is mentioned
by D'Herbelot, article Scheik Safi or Sefi : how milk and
cheese could be a new species of food to a Tartar prince I do
not understand ; that it was uncommonly excellent we are to
conclude from Tamerlane's asseveration.

In London I examined Dobson's translation of ' Paradise
Lost,' and find he has named Sin Ate, and Death Hades. The
Hades of the Greeks is I think a different person from
Milton's Death. Should not you have followed Mr. Warton's
advice and used the name Thanatos ? The difference of these

154 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

two persons is I think well illustrated by a very striking
passage in the book of Revelations, Chap. 6, where Death is
seen riding on a pale horse and Hades follows to swallow up
the dead.

All here join in respects to yourself and Mrs. White; and
I remain

Your obliged and affectionate nephew,

SAMUEL BARKER.

LETTER XL.

TO MRS. BARKER.

Selborne, Oct. 19, 1784.
DEAR SISTER,

FROM the fineness of the weather and the steadiness of the
wind to the N.E. I began to be possessed with a notion last
Friday that we should see Mr. Blanchard in his balloon the
day following ; and therefore I called on many of my neigh-
bours in the street, and told them my suspicions. The next
day proving also bright, and the wind continuing as before, I
became more sanguine than ever; and issuing forth in the
morning, exhorted all those that had any curiosity to look
sharp about one o' the clock to three towards London, as they
would stand a good chance of being entertained with a very
extraordinary sight. That day I was not content to call at
the houses only; but I went out to the plowmen and labourers
in the fields and advised them to keep an eye to the IS", and
and N.E. at times. I wrote also to Mr. Pink * of Faringdon,
to desire him to look about him. But about one o'clock there
came up such a haze that I could not see the Hanger. How-
ever, not long after, the mist cleared away in some degree, and
people began to mount the hill. I was busy in and out 'till a

* [See note by Rev. Edmund White, p. 156.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 105

quarter .after two, and took my last walk along the top of the
pound-field, from whence I could discern a long cloud of
London smoke, hanging to the N. and N.N.E. This appear-
ance, for obvious reasons, encreased my expectation ; yet I
came home to dinner, knowing how many were on the watch,
but laid my hat and surtout ready on a chair in case of an
alarm. At twenty minutes before three there was a cry in
the street that the balloon was come. We ran into the
orchard, where we found 20 or 30 neighbours assembled,
and from the green bank at the S.W. end of my house saw a
dark blue speck at a most prodigious height, dropping as it
were from the sky, and hanging amidst the regions of the
upper air, between the weather-cock of the tower and the top
of the may-pole. At first, coming towards us, it did not seem
to make any way ; but we soon discovered that its velocity
was very considerable ; for in a few minutes it was over the
maypole, and then over the Fox on my great parlor-chimney,
and in ten minutes more behind my great wall-nut tree. The
machine looked mostly of a dark blue colour, but sometimes
reflected the rays of the sun and appeared of a bright yellow.
With a telescope I could discern the boat, and the ropes that
supported it. To my eye this vast balloon appeared no bigger
than a large tea-urn. When we saw it first it was north of
Farnham, over Farnham heath — and never came, I believe,
on this side the Farnham road, but continued to pass on the
other side of Bentley, Froyle, Alton, and so for Medstead,
Lord Northington's at the Grange, and to yc right of Aires-
ford and Winton, and tp Rumsey, where the aerial philo-
sopher came safe to the ground near the church, at about five
in the evening. I was wonderfully struck at first with the
phenomenon, and, like Milton's " belated peasant," felt my
heart bound with fear and joy at the same time. After a
while I surveyed the machine with more composure, without
that awe and concern for two of my fellow creatures lost, in
appearance, in the boundless depths of the atmosphere ! for
we supposed then that two were embarked in this astonishing
voyage. At last, seeing with what steady composure they
moved, I began to consider them as secure as a group of

156 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

storks or cranes intent on the business of emigration, and
who had

" Set forth

Their airy caravan, high over seas
Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing
Easing their flight."

Mr. Taylor, our new vicar, has taken possession of S. living;
and I have reassumed the curacy, after an intermission of 26
years ! Mrs. Etty rents the V. house ; but has been gone 8
or 9 weeks, and does not return till winter. Mr. Yalden is
gone to Bath in company with Mr. Budd. Bro. Ben and
family are at Newton, but go next week. Bro. Tho. has been
expected here all the autumn, but is not yet come. Mrs. H.
White brought Lucy to my house lately for change of air :
the poor young woman is languid and has over-grown her
strength ; but I perceive no bad symptoms. We have apples
and pears innumerable, and very fine grapes. Mrs. Clement
is in a fair way, I suspect, to encrease her family. I wish
you joy of yr late grand-daughter, which makes my 41
nephew and niece ! I have very dutiful nieces, who seem
disposed to make me as great an uncle as they can. Mrs. J.
White joins in respects. I am with all due affection and
regard,

Your loving brother,

GIL. WHITE.

Sweet autumnal weather ! We have had no rain since
Sept. 27th, not enough to measure. I miss poor Mr. Etty
every day : he was a blameless man, without guile. His son
Charles is in London making interest for an appointment to
India. His escape off Ceylon was wonderful !

[The letter (to Mr. Pink) was the occasion of a very ludicrous circum-
stance. Mr. Pink, a very respectable yeoman, was on his way to Alton
market, the day after he received the letter, when he overtook a neighbour
who was going to the same place, and, after the first salutation, asked him if
he had seen or heard of Mr. White of Selborne lately. Being answered in
the negative, he said, " Ah ! poor man, he is very far gone indeed," pointing
to his head : " I had a letter from him yesterday ; and what do you think
he said to me, and desired me to do ? he told me to look out sharp to the

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 157

N.E. between one and three o'clock to-day, and perhaps I should see two
men riding in the air in a balloon ; " to which his neighbour replied,
" Then he must be pretty far gone indeed." Mr. Pink expressed great
sorrow, as he very much respected him. When they came to Alton
Butts, a small open common just as you enter Alton, a large concourse of
people were assembled together looking earnestly upwards. Mr. Pink
addressed the multitude, and asked them what they were about ; to
which they replied that if he would look over the church he would see,
as well as themselves, two men riding in a balloon. After satisfying
themselves of the truth of this, Mr. Pink jogged his companion, saying,
" Neighbour, 1 think Mr. White is not so far gone as you and I thought
him ! "1

LETTER XLI.

MARY WHITE TO HER UNCLE GILBERT.

South Lambeth, May 17, 1785.
DEAR SIR,

BY the kind letter I received from you last Friday*, we were
very sorry to hear that you have been so much affected by the
late cold weather, which indeed has been unusually severe.
Within these few days it has been rather milder with us ; and
I hope you likewise may have found it better than it was ;
but till the wind changes to a warmer quarter, I fear we shall
not have any soft fine weather.

Piers Plowman (printed in 1550) says, " by some who were
more acquainted with antiquity than myself, I have learned
that the autour was name Roberte Langelande, a Shropshere
man, born in Cleybirie, about eight myles from Malverne
Hillos." All that Mr. Warton says, in his observations on
the Faerie Queene of Spencer, which he refers to in his Hist,
of Poetry, is, " the author of Pierce Plowman is Robert Long-
lande, or Langelande, according to Bale, and Wood, who like-
wise calls him Malverne." It is probable neither Bale, Wood,
nor Warton had any other authority than that which I have
quoted above. From whence Mr. Warton calls him a Fellow
of Oriel my father cannot say.

* [The letter here referred to I have not found.— T. B.]

158 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

We Lope it will not be a long time before you and Mrs.
White favour us with your company at South Lambeth. My
father would be obliged to you to bring him some roots of
the Arundo donax with you*.

Mr. B. White told me he had answered your query about
Dugdale. I am glad to hear Mr. Dusueloy has been so
successful in his trial with the farmer, who, by all accounts,
behaved in a most unpardonable manner to him. The en-
closed card relating to " Sic " my father found in his drawer
the other day, and sends you. The following passages are
from Pezron's ' Antiquities of Nations : ' — " The Spartans
called a swine sic, in Greek aitca ; and the Celtae and their
posterity even now when they hunt that animal use no other
word than sic, sic." " SICATOB. This anciently signified a small
hog, and is taken from sica, in old times a hog; and all of
them came from the Celtick sic, that denotes the same thing ;
and hence the Romans rightly enough called those stars su-
cula which now-a-days are placed in the head of Taurus, and
were named ffa8e? (porcelli) by the Grecians ; for you must
observe that the word is derived from 'ue?, sues, porci, and
not from 'vew, pluere, to rain, as the Greeks would have it,
and as 'tis generally taken to be derived at this day. 'Tis
very likely that that knot of stars that are about the other
part of Taurus had formed another name in the Northern
barbarian sphear, which was the first and ancientest of any ;
for I shall shew in another place that the Grecians borrowed
it of them, but added to and made great alterations in it."

My father and mother desire to be remembered to you.
I am, dear Uncle,

Your affectionate Niece,

MARY WHITE.

* [The plant here alluded to. was sent to Gilbert White by his brother
John from Gibraltar. The original is still flourishing on my lawn. —
T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 15'J

LETTER XLII.

FROM SAMUEL BARKER TO G. W.

Lyndon, Nov. 1, 1785.
DEAR SIR,

MY best acknowledgements are due for the very friendly
treatment I received at Selborne, and the agreeable time I
passed there. You know, I presume, how large a party we
form'd at Fy field. I stay'd there near a fortnight, and left
it on Monday sennight. From Fyfield my uncle H. and my-
self paid a visit to the venerable remains at Abury. The ap-
parent effects of time and weather, and the rude figure of the
stones, called one's ideas back to the remotest antiquity, and
to those primitive days when, as we read, the patriarchs used
to set up great stones in commemoration of any remarkable
event.

Silbury hill is a wonderful performance. A hill whose per-
pendicular height is 170 feet, the diameter of its base 500, and
of its top 100 (for such, according to Dr. Stukely, are its di-
mensions), is not the work of man in a state of barbarism, of
man the hunter nor man the herdsman, but of men collected
into towns and directed by governors. Surely such remains
prove that kingdoms have been erected and arts cultivated in
our island of which we have little suspicion. As I stood on
this wonderful tumulus I felt myself inclined to hope I had
seen a performance as extraordinary as the Egyptian pyra-
mids ; but on examining the accounts of their magnitude, I
find the works of our Druidical ancestors will bear no com-
parison with those of the Egyptian monarchs.

How much we walked at Fyfield, how much we laughed,
and how we play'd trios in five parts, I imagine you have
heard ; so that I have only to tell you of my western expe-
dition on my return. To keep up my character of explorator,
it was incumbent on me not to travel a road with which I was

160 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

acquainted ; on which account I crossed Wiltshire in a N.W.
direction, over the Marlborough downs by Chippenham and
Malmesbury, and concluded my first day's journey at Minchin-
ampton, by which means the vale of the Severn and the Mal-
vern hills were brought into my reach. The day had fa-
vour'd me much ; but in the dusk of the evening clouds arose
from the S.W., and scuds of small rain came on, which, had
they continued the next day, would have effectually prevented
my sight of the prospects I had promised myself the next
morning. I was seized with a terrible qualm, and could not
help thinking of our friend Ajax's prayer

Aos S' o(j)6a\fji.oi(riv edfadat

My fears, however, were vain ; and the first object I saw on
Tuesday morning was Venus shining very bright thro' a hole
in the window-shutter. My ride this day was delightful, by
Stroud and Painswick to Gloucester. Exquisite indeed is the
prospect from the hills above the Severn, of the river, the city
of Gloucester, the Worcestershire hills, and the Welsh moun-
tains. In the afternoon I set out for Malvern, and made Lid-
bury in my road, to visit the county of Hereford : that even-
ing I crossed the hills, but in the dusk; so that the prospect was
undistinguishable. On the Wednesday morning the weather
again favour'd me, and from my chamber window at Great
Malvern I saw the sun rise behind Bredon hill. I then
ascended the hill, and saw all that part of the island in one
great map beneath me, from Clifton hill above Bristol to the
Wrekin near Shrewsbury, and from the S.W. parts of North-
amptonshire to Radnorshire mountains. My satisfaction was
much increased by having with me a very intelligent director,
whom I met with at Malvern, and who pointed out to me the
objects in view, and told me their names. Whether these
views, however, are superior to those from Black-down and
Leith-hill I am by no means certain. From Malvern I went
homewards thro' Worcester, Birmingham, Coventry, and
Leicester — but saw nothing remarkable except the view from
Lickey, a high ridge above Bromsgrove, from whence an im-

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 101

mense extent of country is visible, and think myself very for-
tunate in having had weather clear enough to afford a. sight
of such distant objects so late in the year. On my return I
found all the family well. Your journey to Oxford, I hope,
has been of no disservice to you ; I think I heard at Fyfield
you were there. With best respects to yourself and all friends
with you, I remain,

Your obliged and affect.

SAM. BARKER.

LETTER XLIIL

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Seleburne, April 17, 1786.

DEAR SIR,

PARTLY thro' idleness and partly thro' infirmity, I have too
long neglected your late letter. My thanks are due for yr
curious account of the climate of Zarizyn * : and I feel myself
the more obliged, because you know I love to study climates.
Whether you translate or abridge Dr. Pallas I do not know,
but should be glad to see the remaining part of that year, if
the subject does not give you too much trouble. I believe all
fervid regions afford instances of undulating vapours, that at
a distance appear like water : Arabia I know does ; and the
phenomenon is finely alluded to in the Koran. In what
language does Pallas write ?

The summer-like weather of last Friday fetched out Timothy.
There is something very forlorn and abject in that creature's
first appearance after a profound slumber of five months.
When a man first rouses himself from a deep sleep he does
not look very wise; but nothing can be more squalid and
stupid than our friend, when he first comes crawling out of
his hibernacula ; so that some farther lines of Dryden's ode

* [This is to be found at pp. 641-646 of the third volume of the original
edition of Pallas's < Travels ' (Reise, u. s. w. St. Petersburg: 1776).— A. N.]
VOL. II. M

162 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

(written, he supposes, on purpose to ridicule tortoises) may
well be applyed to him

" He lias raised up his head
As awaked from the dead,
And amazed he stares around."

There was, as I remember, one Abdon a judge of Israel, of
whom there is nothing memorial, but that he had 40 sons and
30 nephews. . As a father this chieftain, I must acknowledge,
exceeded me much : but as to the matter of nepotism, I go
much beyond him ; for I had 42 neps. and nieces before, and
now Mrs. Brown's little daughter makes the 43rd; and I have
more at hand, if I do not reckon my chickens before they are
hatched. Nep. John of Alton, now Dr. White, has met with
an ugly accident : as he was descending from his hayloft, the
ladder turned and gave him a bad fall on the stones ; by
which he bruised his side and dislocated his left wrist : but he
was not confined one day, and is getting well. This young
man has found employ and much riding about ; but he must
have time to approve himself before he can expect much
prime business *. On March 26th Mrs. and Miss Etty left us
for some weeks : and on the 30th by permission came Mr.
Taylor our vicar and his bride Miss Lisle of Moyle's Court
near Ring wood, Hants. This lady is of a very good family in
this county, and niece to Mr. Lisle of Crookes-easton — the
gent, who stood and carried the grand contested election for
this county in 1733 ; but it cost him £10000. The lady was
desirous of spending part of her honeymoon at her husband's
parish. Charles Etty is expected home in June. Nep. Edmd f ,
for which I highly commend him, is parting with all kinds of
farming whatsoever : he lets all his tithes, and all his glebe ;
reserving only to himself 3 or 4 fields for his horses and cows.
He will now know what he has to depend on, whereas both
his late uncles were much imposed on, and were subject to
all the rabble and hurry of common renters. Ed. I trust,
some time hence will make an excellent neighbour, but has

* [He afterwards removed to Salisbury, and became surgeon to the
Infirmary.— T. B.]

t [Vicar of Newton Valence. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 163

been as yet a very bad one; for his time has been so taken up
AY i tli various courtships that he has never been at home yet for
10 days together. He marries, I think, in June, but first
keeps another term at Oxford.

All my apricots were cut off by that violent weather in the
middle of March ! So deep was the snow, and so starved the
birds, that the poor ring-doves came into our garden to crop
the leaves and sprouts of the cabbages 1 Kay is become very
scarce and dear indeed ! My rick is now almost as slender as
the waste of a. virgin : and it would have been much for the
reputation of the two last brides that I have married, had
their wastes been as slender. We have just covered the dirty
part of the bostal with small flints. The first swallow that I
heard of was on April 6th, the first nightingale on Ap. 13th.
The great straddle-bob Orion, that in the winter seems to
bestride my brewhouse, is seen now descending of an evening,
one side foremost, behind the hanger. The almanack an-
nounces Venus to be an evening star ; but I have not seen
her yet.

Miss Etty is not so well as could be wished: she is low and
languid, and often short-breathed. Miss Lay ton of Alton,
Mr. Charles Efty's niece, is lately dead. Mrs. J. Wh. and I
thank your mother for her kind letters : the former will write
soon. We think Mrs. Taylor an agreeable woman. I am,
with all due respects,

Your affect, uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XLIV.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Seleburne, Aug. 1, 1780.

DEAR SIR,

As you know I am fond of the history of various countries,
and in particular love to study and compare climates ; it was

M 2

164 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

very kind of you to take so much pains to compleat the
history of Zarizyn for a year.

I return you my thanks for your making me your con-
fidant in a matter of so much moment as that of your taking
a wife*. You no doubt will make a prudent choice; and then
there will be a good prospect of your being happy in a state
where both parties must concur, to render the change agree-
able. As it is much the fashion now for the man and his wife
to set out on a visit as soon as the ceremony is over, we shall
be glad to see the lady and you here, where our new niece
will receive all proper respect and every attention from myself
and Mrs. J. White. Edmd's wife made my nephews and
nieces 45 ; and we expect every day to hear that Mrs. Ben.
White has added one more to the number ; so that according
to appearances the lady we are talking of will be the 47th.

We have experienced a very dry and hot summer ; most
part of June w^as sultry : yet we had a good crop of hay, and
have a fine prospect for wheat, which is very tall and even :
the hops also look well ; but of late the pastures and meadows
burn, and the gardens suffer greatly. My grapes are very
forward, and the crop large. Plums we have none, and no
wasps yet.

When I see you, you must tell me all the circumstances of
your long tour, which cannot fail to entertain. I only fear
that after your eyes have been stretched with the sight
of Skiddaw &c. you will despise the mole-hills of this
district, which once used to delight you so much. My in-
tended niece will I trust be pleased with our hanger and
prospects. Whitwell, 1 think, is a pretty situation. In the
year 1742 I spent a very pleasant vacation there. Tell your
mother that on the 10th of this month she and I shall have a
new sister. Verses have been written on ladies' eye brows ;
but you talk of the beauty of yr Mrs.'s eye-lashes : in that
matter, as far as I remember, you speak like a Turk.

Now you talk of ladies, can you repeat " pretty, pretty
Peggy Haggitt " three times in a breath ?

* [Mr. Samuel Barker married Miss Haggitt, daughter of .a gentleman
of Northamptonshire. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 165

We expect Mrs. Etty from Beaconsfiekl every day. Her
son Charles, it is to be hoped, will soon return from Bombay.

Your loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

• Little Tom Clement is visiting at Petersfield, where he
plays much at cricket: Tom bats; his grandmother bowls; and
his great grandmother watches out!!

LETTER XLV.

TO MRS. MARY BARKER.

Selborne, Oct. 25, 1786.
DEAR NIECE,

I RECEIVED your favour of Oct. 12, and rejoice to hear that
my nephew Mr. Barker has made so prudent a choice, and has
so fair a prospect of happiness in the matrimonial state. He
is to live, I find, at the parsonage house at Whitwell, where I
spent three very agreeable months as long ago as the year
1742, when I was a very young man.

Present my respects to yr father, and tell him that the
caterpillars of Phalcence devoured all the foliage of our oaks in
the bud, and therefore of course there could be no acorns, but
that the beeches were loaded with mast, and that I was not
unmindful of his injunctions, but have employed people to
pick up a quantity of seeds from those trees, which I intend
shall be cast into the bushes on the down. We had a wet,
cold August and September after a dry spring and hot
summer. We have grapes in vast abundance, that were very
forward in July ; but they are not so delicately ripened as in
some more favourable autumns, tho' now good. The begin-
ning of this month deluged all the country, and had like to
have blown us all away : the tempests and torrents were
dreadful ! From the 4th to the 11th of this month inclusive
the quantity of rain was 5*04 ! but now we have delicate
weather, and a fine wheat season.

166 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

The late election at Salisbury has done my nep. John
much honour ; but neither he nor his mother is elated on the
occasion, because he quits a little certain business in hopes of
greater. He certainly was getting ground at Alton. Should
he succeed at Sarum, there will be more field-room for getting
money than in our poor rough district; and so there had
need ; for the infirmary brings neither salary nor emolument,
but only credit, from the supposition that the surgeon is a
man of skill and merit in his profession.

Bro. Tho. is here, and Bro. and sister Ben. and Mary at
Newton : they join in respects. I am glad to hear that Mr.
and Mrs. Brown have left Uppingham. I am, with all due
respects,

Your affectionate uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

Our hop-planters returned from Weyhill fair with cheerful
faces, and full purses, having sold a large crop of hops for a
good pi-ice. The reason was because the Kentish hops, which
were a fortnight behind, were blown away by the tempests.
The parish of Selborne will be much benefitted by the hop
plantations, to the amount, some say, of near £2000. The
women had a fine picking, and earned 2s. 6d. pr day. Uncle
Harry has built him a hermitage at Fyfield, on which Sam
White has written a good copy of verses. Mr. Twopeny is
just married.

LETTER XLVI.

TO THOMAS BARKER, ESQ.

Selborne, Jan. 10; 1787.
DEAR SIR,

I HAVE herewith sent you the Selborne rain, an account of
which, I think, has been kept very exactly, but know nothing
of the Fyfield and S. Lambeth rain. There fell such a glut of
rain in the beginning of Oct. that men were in some pain about

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 1G7

the wheat season: however such lovely weather followed quite
into Nov. that the sowing time was unusually good. Again
daring the first 14 days of Dec. there fell 5 inch, of rain: this
deluge washed our malm grounds sadly.

Rain at Selborne in 1786.

Jan.

6-58

Aug.

4

Feb.

1-27

Sept.

4-5

Mar.

1-53

Oct.

5-04

Apr.
May

1-63
2-16

Nov.
Dec.

4-38
5-62

. T mi A

1'0r»

U LI lit/

July

J. \JfJ

1-81

39-57

As to strong beer at Mr. Yalden's, I can say nothing about
the management of it, because John Pullinger, who had the
sole conducting of it, has left Edmd White: I only know that
my strong beer is much admired by those that love pale beer,
made of malt that is dryed with billet. My method is to
make it very strong, and to hop very moderately at first ; and
then to put in, at two or three times, half a pound at a time,
of scalded hops, before I tap it. This is the Wilts method,
and makes the beer as fine as rock-water. As my family is
small, I never brew more than half Jiogsli. at a time ; but then
I put malt at the rate of 13 bush, to the hogshead, and only
3 pounds and half of hops at a brewing. I tap my half hogs-
heads at about 12 months old, and always brew with rain
water when 1 can. The tank at Newton is made of brick :
their beer was, and is often good; but their water when drank
by itself, has a filthy taste of lime and moss. Their table beer
does not keep in summer.

Please to present my best thanks to my sister for her kind
charity, which will be very acceptable to our numerous poor.
Mrs. Etty is here, but will leave us soon, perhaps 'till
midsumr.

Your affectionate servant,

G. WHITE.

The crop of beech mast was prodigious, and of great

1(38 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

service to men's hogs, which were half fat before they were
shut up. Between mast and potatoes, poor men killed very
large hogs at little expence. Tom Berriman's hog weighed
16 scores, yet ate only seven bush, of barley-meal ; whereas
without the help above mentioned, he would have required
20 bush8.

Dame Berriman is much disordered in her mind, and very
violent. I sent a woman to scatter some beech seed in every
bush on the down.

Mrs. J. White joins in respects.

Barom1' has been very high for some days ; on Monday it
was 30-3.

LETTER XLVI1.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Seleburne, Jan. 8, 1788.

DEAR SIR,

IT is to be hoped that you are not so punctual a man as to re-
gister all the letters that you write to your friends, because the
distant date of yr last epistle to me would reproach me with
neglect and negligence towards one of my near relations. I
have been very busy of late, and have at length put my
last hand to my Nat. Hist, and Antiquities of this parish.
However, I am still employed in making an Index — an occu-
pation full as entertaining as that of darning of stockings,
tho' by no means so advantageous to society. My work will
be well got up, with a good type and on good paper, and
will be embellished with several engravings. It has been in
the press some time, and is to come out in the spring. It
pleases me much to find that you still pursue yr botany. I
had reason to suspect that yr noble neighbour had a propen-
sity to the same enquiries, because I have sometimes met him
at Curtis's garden. Bro. Tho. thinks it may be best to cover
the Gingko * a little in severe weather. We have had a very
deep snow, which began on Sunday, Decr 23, and lasted for
* [Salisburia adiantifolia. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 109

two or three nights and days, so that several of our hollow
Iniics became impassable. The turnpike thro' your village
must be a very pleasant circumstance, and prevent such in-
conveniences to which, I remember, in old days it was very
liable. I recollect to have heard Mr. Isaac say that they had
often been snowed up, and that he had shot woodcocks and
snipes from his bed-chamber window as they came to feed at
the fine perennial spring from whence yr parish * takes its name.

Mr. Charles Etty left us last Friday, and went to his ship,
the f Duke of Montrose,' now lying at Gravesend, in which he
is soon to sail for Madras and China as third mate. The
wicked wood-cutters entered our hanger this day for the second
time in order to fell some more of our beautiful beeches.
Last year they cleared as far as the shop-slidder, and will
strip now as far as Hercules I If my niece does not come and
see the remains of that sweet pendulous covert next summer,
she will never be able to conceive how lovely and romantic it
once had been. Sam White is a very fortunate lad ; for not
long since the provost and fellows of Oriel elected him to a
good exhibition, founded by Dr. Robinson, Bp of London,
which he is to enjoy for three years. I have just sent yr
father an account of the Selborne rain during last year : it
will again greatly exceed that of Rutland.

S. White t has undertaken to translate the ' Prognostics ' of
the Greek poet Aratus into English verse ; it has never, it
seems, been rendered into our language, but was so admired
by the Romans, that Cicero and others thought it worth their
pains to give a Latin version of it for the amusement of their
countrymen. Virgil, I fear, that notorious poacher of every
thing that was elegant in the Greek tongue, has gleaned up
every fine image, and transplanted them into his ' Georgics.'
It is remarkable enough that there is now sitting at my elbow
an Oxford gent.J, who is deeply employed in making an Index

* [Whitwell.— T. B.]

t [Samuel, Son of G. W/s brother Harry at Fy field.— T. B.]

| [The Rev. Mr. Churton, an intimate friend and correspondent of

G. W. Many of the letters which passed between them will be found

further on in this volume. — T. B.]

170 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

also ; so that my old parlor is become quite an Index-manu-
factory. Mrs. J. White joins in best respects, and the good
wishes of the season to you and lady ; and I am, with all due
affection,

Your loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XLVIIL

TO HIS NEPHEW BENJAMIN.

Selburne, Feb. [1788 ?]

DEAR SIR,

I RECEIVED your letter concerning Mr. Pegge, but cannot, as
you well know, promise anything. At the same time, also, I
received by Molly six more sheets of clean proofs, so well cor-
rected that I have not met with one error ; and indeed the
errata are so few, that at present they will go into a small
compass, and are as follow: —

P. 31. line 15. For teems read teams *.

P. 91, line 7. d. comma, and for or read of *.

P. 219, line 15. For no tie read not be*.

As I find you advance apace, I have by bearer sent up my
' Antiquities,' because I do not find myself able to correct or
improve them any further. You will be pleased not to be
offended at the vague spelling of the names of men and places,
but to take them as you find them in their places, because
centuries ago men had no criterion to go by, but spelt just as
it happened, even their own names often not twice alike.
Should not the quotations from the documents be printed in
italics ? You will, I conclude, have a title-page to the ' Anti-
quities,' to which the Priory seal will make a proper vignette.
The great N. view of Selborne is engraving, I understand, and
will be opposite the first title page ; the view of the Hermit-
age will then best perhaps appear opposite p. 62, in which
mention is made of it. That the documents may be kept safe
* [These misprints were not corrected.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 171

together, I have numbered them, and put them in a proper
bag.

As fast as I receive my proofs, I continue to enlarge my
Index. The title-page to the ' Nat. Hist.' is furnished with apt
mottos. My thanks are due for all your good offices, &
for your late trouble in purchasing me £200 stock.

Your loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

•

P.S. I take the liberty to return the book of Eoyal Forests,
&c., from which I have extracted some information. You will
also receive my Preface or Advertisement. Concerning the
disposition of the Hermitage print please to consult yr father
and father-in-law.

Might not the Hermitage print come in well at the back of
the first title-page, or as a tail-piece to the ' Natural History '*?

Please to observe that all ce diphthongs, as musce, phalcence,
&c. are always written muse,plialeney &c. in old records. When
there is any very bad Latin in the evidences, please to put in
the margin, " sic."

LETTER XLIX.

TO THOMAS BAKKEK, ESQ.

Jan. 8, 1789.

DEAR SIR,

You must have heard no doubt before now, of the sad
and afflicting news from Fyfield, of the sudden and unex-
pected event that has plunged a numerous family in the
deepest sorrow and trouble. How the poor man has left his
concerns, and how the widow and children are to proceed, I
have not yet heard ; however, as money will probably be
wanted, my two brothers and nephew Ben and self have each
began with a present. When the news arrived here I wrote
away immediately to Lady Young, entreating her to apply to
* [See note at p. 128.]

172 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

the Chancellor for the living of Fyfield for Sam*; but she re-
turned for answer that she had kept up no acquaintance with
Lord Thurlow, tho' a near relation, for many years. Bro.. Ben
wrote immediately to the Chanr, and Bro. Tho. applyed by
means of Dr. Lort, who prevailed on the Bp of Bangor, Dr.
Warren, to press the matter home, and to move the compas-
sion of the great man by representing the afflicted situation
of the family. For a short time we were almost ready to
flatter ourselves with some hopes of success : the great bar
seemed to be that Sam was not in orders ; however, two or
three days ago a note came to Bro. B. from the Chan, inform-
ing him that Fyfield was disposed of, but that Uphaven was
at his service. Now you must remember that Uphaven was
a very small vicarage indeed ; however, Bro. H., I hear, had
improved it not a little.

I now see more and more reason to be thankful to provi-
dence for enabling me to procure so many friends to assist
me in getting Sam* elected fellow. That young man, whom
all speak well of, may become the stay and support of the
family. By the statutes of his coll. he will not be able, I
fear, to take orders till June, when he may take possession
also of a fine curacy, now held for him. Charles also is in-
tended for orders, and has kept some terms at Oxford.

It is needless to tell you that we experience a long and se-
vere frost, which commenced Novr 23, and has never been
out of the ground since. The snow in this district has been
very little. After a very dry spring and summer and autumn,
about ten days in Septemr excepted, the failure of water is
remarkable. The ponds are all dry, and most of the wells in
the village, and among the rest my own. As to Edmd White's
tank, it has failed for these seven weeks, and he is obliged to
fetch his water from the S. side of Nore hill. My column
on the other side makes a very small figure in respect to what
I used to send you.

Mrs. J. White returns my sister thanks for her late letter.
I am disposing of her guinea among the poor. Never were
gratuities of that sort more acceptable than now.
* [The son of Henry White.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 173

Rain in Selborne. 1788.

Jan.

in. h.

1 60

in. h.

Aug. 3 22

Feb.

3 37

Sept. 5 71

Mar.

1 31

Oct. 0 0

Apr.
May

0 61
0 76

Nov. 0 86
Dec. 0 21

| i -••»-* /}

1 97

U UIlt5

July

i — <

3 58

22 50

We hear now from all quarters that nep. John the surgeon
gets business very fast, and is allowed to be in a way to be-
come the first medical man in Salisbury. Little Ben thrives,
and grows very fast.

Mrs. J. Wh. joins in best respects and wishes. I am

Yr affectionate brother,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER L.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne, May 6, 1790.
DEAR SIR,

WE had heard that Mr. Haggitt * had been very ill, but were
not aware, till your letter came, that his disorder was of a dan-
gerous and alarming nature. On his own account, and for
the sake of his numerous family, we hope it will please God
to restore him to his former health, and preserve his life for
many years.

The Major Jardine that you mention was well known to
my Bro. John — an active, lively, intelligent Scotchman, that
had been a private in the artillery, but, having had some edu-
cation, was ready to enter into any pursuit where knowledge
was to be acquired. He showed a great facility in modern
languages, had a taste for music, and a smattering in Astro-
nomy, &c., was good-natured, clever, ready to assist, commu-
* [The father of Mrs. Samuel Barker.— T. B.]

174 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

nicativo .and pleasant, but exceedingly poor, having married
a Spanish girl without a farthing, who brought him a house-
full of children and all her happy relations to live on him when
he was only lieutenant. He was supposed to be the son of a
Knight of Malta, whom he called his uncle.

What can be the meaning of the following advertisement,
which I have seen in the papers ? " The life of the Hon.
Thomas Chambers Cecil, late Knight of the Shire for Rutland,
father of the present member for Stamford, and brother to the
Earl of Exeter." What makes me wonder because this man
was always represented formerly as little better than an idiot I
Now you talk of biography, have you seen the life of Mr.
Elwes*, late member for Berkshire?

Dr. Chandler and lady, who have been abroad almost four
years, and who returned from the Continent only last Feb.,
have borrowed Selborne parsonage-house for the summer, and
came to reside last week. The Dr., who is an unsettled man,
likes this method of procuring an habitation, because it looks
so like not settling. Roaming about becomes a habit with
gentry as well as mendicants, who, when they have once
taken up a strolling life, can never be persuaded to stay at
their own parishes. The lady is very big with child, and sent
for her midwife this morning ; so they reached Selborne just
in time. They brought a little son with them, a pretty boy,
who was born at Rolle in Switzerland, as it were by accident,
while posting home to England. Rome is the place that the
Dr. admires, where he can have his fill of virtu ; he has, I
find, secret languishing to return to that capital, to study in
the Vatican, and to dine with cardinals. In his passage to
Italy, they hired a ship at Marseilles, which was to land them
at Civita .Vecchia ; for some time they had such prosperous
gales that the master told them they would be at their des-
tination presently. But as they approached Italy such squalls
came off from the Apennines that, after beating about for some
days, and fearing that they must run for some harbour in
Sardinia, they with difficulty made Porto Longone, in the Isle

* [The celebrated miser, "who died in 1789, leaving a fortune of
£500,000.— T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS l-'AMILY. 175

of Elba. Their rot urn from Rolle in Novemr last was singular
enough. Not daring to venture thro' France, they set out for
Uuslo: here they went 50 miles to the right to see the falls of
Schaff hausen ! I When the Dr. came to enquire of the water-
men at Basle what small craft they had on the Rhine, and
whether any house-boat, they said there was nothing but some
very small flat-bottomed wherries, but that they could tack
two of these together. On two such wallnut shells tyed to-
gether embarked the Dr. and lady, the nurse and child, and
the French valet, without oar or sail, or any awning that could
be kept up, and thus ran at the rate of near 80 miles a day
to Dusseldorf, amidst the damps and fogs of Novemr, on the
expanded face of the Rhine, which was very full and very
rapid ! I Here they turned off for Brussels, not being aware of
what was to befall them, but soon found themselves in a city
that expected every day to be cannonaded with hot balls. Here
they stayed till they saw the streets barricaded and intersected
writh deep intrenchments, and at last escaped to Lisle, which
WMS not without its difficulties and embarrassments. The Dr.
and lady went twice by water down the Rhosne from Lyons ;
the scenery on its banks is grand and beautiful. I have just
received a letter from the Rev. James Anderson, LL.D., F.R.S.,
F.A.S., of the Academy of Arts &c. of Dijon, &c.* He directs
from Edinburg, and, having seen my book, desires my assist-
ance towards his l Bee,' a weekly work which he proposes to
send forth as soon as he can settle a correspondence to his
mind. His prospectus to his work is curious, and promises
information.

Nep. John White of Sarum has got him an house and two
pupils. Nothing but want of health will hinder that young

* [James Anderson was an influential agricultural writer, and for some
time cultivated a large tract of barren land in Aberdeenshire for the pur-
pose of carrying on his agricultural experiments and improvements. He
returned to the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, where he had originally
resided, and afterwards conducted two periodical publications, ' Recrea-
tions in Agriculture ' and the ' Bee.' I do not find that Gilbert White
ever practically responded to the request mentioned. In 1780 the Uni-
versity of Aberdeen conferred on him the degree of LL.D. ; the title of
lii-v. is, 1 believe, unauthorized. He died** 1808.— T. B.]

176 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

man from being successful and prosperous. His business en-
creases. Mrs. J. Wh. joins in best respects to yourself and
Mrs. Barker.

Your affectionate uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

We expect bro. Tho. next week.

Mrs. Chandler is a pleasant woman, with a good person.
While I was writing she was brought to bed of a daughter.
Respects at Lyndon.

LETTER LI.

TO MISS MAKY BARKER.

Feb. 18, 1792.
DEAK NIECE,

I HEREWITH send you an account of the last year's rain, which
was very great, and in particular in Nov., when there fell
from the 13th to the 19th, both inclusive, about 5-10. We
were surprized to hear of the vast snows and severe weather
that you experienced in Decr, because all the while we had
little snow, and no frost of any continuance.

Rain at Selborne in 1791.

Jan.

6-73

Aug.

1-73

Feb.

4-64

Sept.

1-73

Mar.

1-59

Oct.

6-49

Apr.

1-13

Nov.

8-16

May

1-33

Dec.

4-93

June

•91

July

5-56

44-93

We condole with you on the loss of old Mrs. Barker, who
yet seems to have been a happy woman ; for after a blameless
life, spent in affluence and comfort among affectionate rela-
tions, she departed this life in peace at the good old age of 90
and upwards. I have disposed of your mother's guinea with

COHRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 177

much satisfaction among such old people as seemed to want it
most. Old Dewye and wife are alive, but almost childish —
and old George Tanner ; but he has been confined to his bed
for three months. Charles Etty did not come home in his
own ship (in which he was second mate), because, it was said,
he broke his leg at Madras the very evening before the
ship was to have sailed. Poor dear Caroline Bingham was a
most amiable girl, and a fine figure ; but she dyed suddenly
as soon as she left this place, to the great sorrow of her
parents ! They have several more children.

Dr. Chandler is in London settling the concerns of his
brother; he was a clergyman in Surrey, and has left a
daughter grown up. Mrs. Chandler looks a little as if she
intended to encrease her family not long hence. The death
of my good friend Mr. Mulso is a sad loss to his children ;
where his daughters are to live we have not heard. My bro-
ther Benj., we hear, begins to think seriously of relinquishing
his business to his sons ; and meditates a retreat into Hants
for the remainder of his life, intending to leave S. Lambeth.
Perhaps he may settle at Marelands *, a beautiful seat between
Alton and Farnham, late the residence of Mr. Sainesbury,
uncle to Mrs. Edmund White, and agent to Lord Stawell, Ld
Salisbury, the Marquis of Downshire, &c. &c. This gent,
dropped suddenly out of his chair and was dead in a moment
on the eve of his birthday, while his wife was preparing an
elegant entertainment for his friends the day following. Mr.
S. was a man of an excellent character, and beloved by every-
body. Mr. Clement, very fortunately, is to succeed his friend
in his agencies for Lord Stawell and Mr. Beckford; these
employs will make a very handsome addition to Mr. Clement's
income, and will give him credit and reputation in the neigh-
bourhood. Mrs. J. White begs to join in best respects to all
your family and to friends at Whitwell and Stamford.

I remain vr loving uncle,

GIL. WHITE.

* [Benjamin White died at Marelands, in the C9th year of his age.
He was buried at Selborne, March 15, 1794. — T. B.]

VOL. II. N

178 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

Feb. 18, 1792. We have enjoyed lately sweet summer wea-
ther ; but last night a most severe frost came on, with snow,
and thermr at 21 1 Newton friends lay here last night.

Marelands house and farm belong to Lord Stawell.

LETTEE LIT.

TO MRS. BARKER.

Selborne, Jan. 2, 1793.
DEAR SISTER,

WHILE Mrs. J. White is employed in knitting, and Mr. Chur-
ton in reading and writing, I sit down, as I have usually done
at this season of ye year, to send Mr. Barker the quantity of
rain, and you some account of our welfare.

Rain in 1792.

Jan.

Feb.
Mar,
Apr.
May
June
July

in.

6-07
1-68
6-70
4-08
3-00
2<78
5'16

Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

in.

4-25
5-53
5-55
1-65
2-11

48-56

Ned White, you may have heard, is settled with a Banker
in London, where he gives satisfaction, and is allowed £50
pr annum. Gil. White has been so unfortunate as to lose his
master, an attorney at Bath, by death, after he had served
three years j and what was worse, the man dyed insolvent. By
this untoward accident, the poor young man has been thrown
out of employ for three or four months, but, by the interest
of friends, was reinstated in business yesterday with a gent,
at Petersfield, where he is to stay three years more without a
premium, but must pay for his board. The first premium,
£200, is all lost! Mr. and Mrs. B. White have lately been

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 170

with, us for a few days ; and both seemed very well. Poor
Nanny Woods's new husband is in a dangerous decline, Much
used to be said of his bad health ; and therefore it is a pity
that the match took place ! Dr. Chandler keeps improving
his parsonage house, and therefore, I conclude, has no thought
of moving. He has taken off an entry from the Hall, and
has made the rest of that room into a good parlor* Much
was the damage that we sustained by the late sad wet summer
and autumn in our hay, our fallows, our corn, and our forest
fuel, which lies rotting in the moors of Wolmer, Our brick
burner, after he had paid duty for a large cargo of bricks and
tiles, never could get them dry enough for burning. My
fruit never ripened, and especially my grapes. The year 1782,
part of which you spent here, was somehow less distressing,
tho' the rain was then upward of 50 in,, as you may see by
my book. Yr grandson, I hope, will thrive, and become as
honest and good a man as his grandf r and father. Mrs. J,
AVh. thanks you for your late kind present*

Mr. Churton was lately presented by Braze-nose Coll. to
one of their best livings, the rectory of Middleton Cheney in
Northamptonshire but near Banbury, which he hopes will
neat him £400 per ann. He is obliged to rebuild part of the
house. Mr. Churton joins with us in all the good wishes of
the season.

I remain yours affectionately,

GIL, WHITE.

Old George Tanner is still in bed. The widow of James
Carpenter was buried yesterday, aged 93,

I will bestow yr charity in a proper manner, and return you
thanks for it.

180 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

LETTER LIII.

TO SAMUEL BARKER.

Selborne.
DEAR SAM,

I THINK Mr. Dobson would have done better to have followed
Mr. Warton's advice. Have you seen Mr. Colman's transla-
tion of Horace's Art of Poetry? In his comment the trans-
lator objects to Mr. Kurd's exposition of that epistle, and, I
think, with great reason. Mr. Hurd says the Epistle to the
Pisos was intended to illustrate the usages of the Eoman
stage, whereas Mr. C. avers that it was purely a dissuasive
letter to the elder Piso not to be in too much haste to publish
some poem, probably a domestic one, which that writer, as a
nobleman, might have submitted to his friend Horace. I
would wish you to see the publication. I have just bought
Somerville, & am surprized to find, not having read it these 20
years, that his c Chase ' exceeds most of our poets in its cadences
and the sweetness of its numbers. Mr. Warton highly extols
his ' Hobbinal,' which does not strike me so much, though its
numbers are elegant.

Your affect.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER LIV.

FROM THOMAS WHITE TO HIS BROTHER GILBERT.

London, Nov. 9, 1775.
DEAR BROTHER,

I SHALL be glad to see you in town, but know not what to
say concerning the disorder that is very general here. I be-
lieve most people that have it felt ill some time ago; but I am
not conversant enough amongst sick people to say positively
there is no fear of your taking it now. Molly and the whole

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 181

family have had colds, coughs, &c., but are now nearly well ;
as to myself, I have escaped, like John Woods 's old horses, by
old age and other infirmities. Thank you for the elegant
quotation from Middleton*. Is not the ridicule some of our
wise governors would have thrown on America applicable to
Cicero's on Britain ? and may not America be to England ere
long what England is now to Rome? I cannot allow that the
Bomans acquired their riches by virtuous industry ; the infa-
mous oppression these people exercised over mankind has been
handled too tenderly.

Hlinc is pure Saxon, a bank cast up for boundary ; hence
our " linch " and " linchot " between fields. As you seem to
allow me to frolick in conjecture (as Johnson says), I will
examine the fields.

Molly goes to-morrow with Dr. Thomas to Cambridge ; she
has had no return of her complaint, and is to use the cold
bath there. I want you to read Plot's treatise ' De origine
Fontium/ in which he states what has been advanced on all

* [The following is undoubtedly the passage sent by Gilbert White to
his brother, referred to in this letter. The intensity of Middleton's an-
tipathy to modern Rome and Romanism is manifested in more than one
of his works. The * Life of Cicero/ from which the present passage is
taken, had appeared in 1741. It was published by subscription ; and there
were no less than six thousand subscribers to the first edition.

After quoting from letters to Atticus, to Cicero's brother Quintus, to
Trebalius, &c., Middleton proceeds in the following strain.

" From their railleries on the barbarity and misery of our island, one
cannot help reflecting on the surprising fate and revolutions of kingdoms :
— how Rome, once the mistress of the world, the seat of arts, empire, and
glory, now lies sunk in sloth, ignorance, and poverty, enslaved to the
most cruel as well as the most contemptible of tyrants, superstition and
religious imposture ; while this remote country, anciently the jest and
contempt of the polite Romans, is become the happy seat of liberty,
plenty, and letters, flourishing in all the arts and refinements of civil
j^fe — yet running perhaps the same course which Rome itself had run be-
fore it, from virtuous industry to wealth, from wealth to luxury, from
luxury to an impatience of discipline and corruption of morals, till, by a
total degeneracy and loss of virtue, being grown ripe for destruction, it
falls a prey at last to some hardy oppressor, and, with the loss of liberty
losing every thing else that is valuable, sinks gradually again into its ori-
ginal barbarism." — T. B.]

382 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY.

hands by former writers and favorers, the assertion of sub-
terranean connections with the sea, against Ray and others.
I cannot help looking on these communications as imaginary,
and am inclined to join with Bay, who asserts that rain and
dew are sufficient to supply all springs. When you describe
the perennity of the Selburn spring, it does not seem foreign
to the purpose for you to sum up the evidence on both sides,
remarking the peculiarity of upland ponds being supplied
when those in the vallies fail *, which I believe will prove a
new observation. Certainly hills and mountains are conden-
sers, and convert by their coldness the ascending vapours
into water ; but more of this when we meet.

I am, yours affy,

THOS. WHITE.

TIMOTHY THE TORTOISE TO MISS HECKY MULSO.

From the border under the fruit wall,

Aug. 31, 1784.
MOST RESPECTABLE LADY,

YOUR letter gave me great satisfaction, being the first that
ever I was honor'd with. It is my wish to answer you in
your own way ; but I never could make a verse in my life, so
you must be contented with plain prose f. Having seen but
little of this great world, conversed but little and read less, I
feel myself much at a loss how to entertain so intelligent a
correspondent. Unless you will let me write about myself,
my answer will be very short indeed. Know then that I am
an American, and was born in the year 1734 in the Province
of Virginia in the midst of a Savanna that lay between a large

* [This subject is treated of fully and in a most interesting manner in
the XXIXth letter to Barrington (Vol. I. p. 192). T. B.]

t [It is evident from this allusion that Gilbert White's amusing jeu
d'esprit was occasioned by some verses addressed by Miss Mulso to
Timothy the Tortoise. These, however, I regret to say, I have not
succeeded in finding. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 183

tobacco plantation and a creek of the sea*. Here I spent my
youthful days among my relations with much satisfaction, and
saw around me many venerable kinsmen, who had attained to
great ages without any interruption from, distempers. Lon-
gevity is so general among our species that a funeral is quite
a strange occurrence. I can just remember the death of my
great-great-grandfather, who departed this life in the 160th
year of his age. Happy should I have been in the enjoyment
of my native climate and the society of my friends had not
a sea-boy, who was wandering about to see what he could
pick up, surprized me as I was sunning myself under a bush;
and whipping -me into his wallet, carryed me aboard his ship.
The circumstances of our voyage are not worthy a recital ; I
only remember that the rippling of the water against the sides
of our vessel as we sailed along was a very lulling and com-
posing sound, which served to sooth my slumbers as I lay in
the hold. We had a short voyage, and came to anchor on the
coast of England in the harbour of Chichester. In that city
my kidnapper sold me for half-a-crown to a country gentle-
man, who came up to attend an election. I was immediately
packed in an hand-basket, and carryed, slung by the servant's
side, to their place of abode. As they rode very hard for
forty miles, and I had never been on horseback before, I found
myself somewhat giddy from my airy jaunt. My purchaser,
who was a great humorist, after shewing me to some of his
neighbours and giving me the name of TIMOTHY, took little
further notice of me ; so I fell under the care of his lady, a
benevolent woman, whose humane attention extended to the
meanest of her retainers. With this gentlewoman I remained
almost 40 years, living in a little walled-in court in the front
of her house, and enjoying much quiet and as much satisfac-
tion as I could expect without society. At last this good old
lady dyed in a very advanced age, such as a tortoise would
call a good old age ; and I then became the property of her

* [I have already stated that Timothy belonged to a North-African
species ; and I now add that there is only one species of the genus Testudo
inhabiting the United States, T. polyphemus, which is very different from
Timothy in appearance and zoological character. — T. B.]

184 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY-

nephew. This man, my present master, dug me out of my
winter retreat, and, packing me in a deal box, jumbled me 80
miles in post-chaises to my present place of abode. I was
sore shaken by this expedition, which was the worst journey
I ever experienced. In my present situation I enjoy many
advantages — such as the range of an extensive garden, afford-
ing a variety of sun and shade, and abounding in lettuces,
poppies, kidney beans, and many other salubrious and delec-
table herbs and plants, and especially with a great choice of
delicate gooseberries ! But still at times I miss my good old
mistress, whose grave and regular deportment suited best with
my disposition. For you must know that my master is what
they call a naturalist, and much visited by people of that turn,
who often put him on whimsical experiments, such as feeling
my pulse, putting me in a tub of water to try if I can swim,
&c. ; and twice in the year I am carried to the grocer's to be
weighed, that it may be seen how much I am wasted during
the months of my abstinence, and how much I gain by feast-
ing in the summer. Upon these occasions I am placed in
the scale on my back, where I sprawl about to the great di-
version of the shop-keeper's children. These matters displease
me ; but there is another that much hurts my pride : I mean
that contempt shown for my understanding which these Lords
of the Creation are very apt to discover, thinking that nobody
knows anything but themselves. I heard my master say that
he expected that I should some day tumble down the ha-ha ;
whereas I would have him to know that I can discern a pre-
cipice from plain ground as well as himself. Sometimes my
master repeats with much seeming triumph the following
lines, which occasion a loud laugh.

" Timotheus placed on high
" Amidst the tuneful choir,
" With flying fingers touched the lyre."

For my part I see no wit in the application ; nor know
whence the verses are quoted ; perhaps from some prophet of
his own, who, if he penned them for the sake of ridiculing
tortoises, bestowed his pains, I think, to poor purposes. These

CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 185

are some of my grievances ; but they sit very light on me in
comparison of what remains behind. Know then, tender-
hearted lady, that my greatest misfortune, and what I have
never divulged to any one before, is — -the want of society of
my own kind. This reflection is always uppermost in my own
mind, but comes upon me with irresistible force every spring.
It was in the month of May last that I resolved to elope from
my place of confinement; for my fancy had represented to me
that probably many agreeable tortoises of both sexes might
inhabit the heights of Baker's Hill or the extensive plains of
the neighbouring meadow, both of which I could discern from
the terrass. One sunny morning, therefore, I watched my
opportunity, found the wicket open, eluded the vigilance of
Thomas Hoar, and escaped into the saint-foin, which began to
be in bloom, and thence into the beans. I was missing eight
days, wandering in this wilderness of sweets, and exploring
the meadow at times. But my pains were all to no purpose ;
I could find no society such as I wished and sought for. I
began to grow hungry, and to wish myself at home. I there-
fore came forth in sight, and surrendered myself up to Thomas,
who had been inconsolable in my absence. Thus, Madam,
have I given you a faithful account of my satisfactions and
sorrows, the latter of which are mostly uppermost. You are
a lady, I understand, of much sensibility. Let me, therefore,
make my case your own in the following manner ; and then
you will judge of my feelings. Suppose you were to be kid-
napped away to-morrow, in the bloom of your life, to a land
of Tortoises, and were never to see again for fifty years a
human face ! ! ! Think on this, dear lady, and pity

Your sorrowful Reptile,

TIMOTHY.

186

COEEESPONDENCE

or THE

REV. E. CHUETON* AND GILBEET WHITE.

LETTEE I.

TO THE KEY. R. CHTJRTON.

Selborne, Nov. 17, 1779.

DEAR SIR,

ON opening your favour, I was much pleased to see your
name at the bottom; because you are a gentleman to whom I
am much obliged, and to whom I wished for an occasion to
express my acknowledgements.

You are a fellow of a college as well as myself, and there-
fore must be well aware that with regard to elections it is not
in my power to enter into any promises: but you may be well
assured that I shall have the better opinion of Mr. Smith for

* [The Rev. Ralph Churton was born in the year 1754 at Bickley, a
township of the parish of Malpas, in Cheshire. He was educated at Ox-
ford, and became a fellow of Brazen-nose College. He was the author
of sermons, letters, and other works, and was highly esteemed by the
literary and religious society of his time. When his correspondence with
Gilbert White commenced, he could not have been more than about 24
or 25 years of age. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE REV. R. CHURTON. 187

what you say of him, and, if I am able to attend at Easter,
shall mention your recommendation to the society.

AVlicn the summer is established, if you find within yourself
an inclination to visit Hants, I shall be very glad to see you
at my house, and to show you our prospects, which are
romantic enough. Your company and conversation, provided
you can bear with the infirmities of a deaf man, will be very
agreeable to me. Dr. Chandler is now sitting at my elbow,
and is deeply engaged in Bp. Waynflete's Registers, two vol.
fol. which I obtained to be sent to my house from Win ton by
permission from the Bp. of that diocese : last summer we had
Bp. Wyckhame's registry of the same bulk and number of
vol. I am, Sir,

Your obliged servant,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME.

Selborne, near Alton, Hants,

July 3, 1780.

DEAR SIR,

As I have always wished to express my gratitude for the
many good offices you have conferred on me, I must desire
that you would furnish me with an opportunity, by taking the
trouble to come to my house, where I shall rejoice to see you
in the course of this summer.

At present my beds are all like to bo full for two or three
weeks to come ; but by the end of July at farthest I shall be
glad to see you for 4 or 5 weeks. It will probably be in my
power to shew you a new country, and a district not un-
pleasing in fine weather. If you can bear with the infirmities
of a deaf man, your company and conversation will be very
agreeable to me : and in yr answer I bar all proposals re-
specting some future summer, because at my time of life

188 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

there is little dependence to be made on distant engagements.
Pray take me, in the very words of Creech, "just as I am,
very much disposed to receive you, and ready to shew you all
civilities."

If you are a botanist, we have a very good Flora, to whom
I am willing to introduce you. You are, I find, learned in
yew-trees : we have at hand several noble ones.

We have just found a large stone-urn down at the Priory*;
for what use it was made it remains for you to inform us.
We will examine The Temple, King Johns hill, &c. &c.
I am, with great esteem,

Yr obliged, and humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

Dr. Chandler, who is going to be very busy with Bp.
Beaufort's Register, fr Winchester, joins in respects. When
my beds are a£ liberty I will write : pray let me hear soon.

LETTER III.

TO THE SAME.

Fyfield, near Andover, Hants,

Aug. 31, 1780.
DEAR SIR,

YOUR favour of July 10th carried with it a very obliging air,
because it seemed to imply that you will endeavour to pay me
a visit.

Now let me (as old men love to be didactic) enjoin you to
leave the N. as soon as you conveniently can, and to get to
Selborne by the last week in Sepr at farthest ; for it seems
to me to be very unreasonable to desire you to come so far

* [The discovery of this urn and its destruction are mentioned in the
1 Antiquities ' (Vol. I. p. 370). An antiquarian friend, probably Dr.
Chandler, suggested that it might have been a standard measure for the
Priory.— T. B.]

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 189

only for a week or a fortnight. About the time that term
begins I should be glad also to go to Oxford, and, provided
health permits, will give you a cast in a post-chaise about the
12th or 13th of Octobr all the way to Coll.

Dr. Chandler left me the week before last. After much
delay we got one vol. of Bp. Beaufort's Register, the only one
that can be found : but it contained only 13 years of a long
episcopate of above 40. It did not afford much concerning
Selborne, but would, it seems, furnish much matter con-
cerning the Lollards, who were cruelly harassed in the reign
of Hen. 4.

The way to Selborne is Dorchester, Walling ford, Pangborn;
here leave the Reading-road, and go down the new turn-pike
for Aldermaston-wharf, Aldermaston; Basingstoke, Tumvorth-
down under ffackivood-park pales, the Golden-pot ale-house,
Alton, Faringdon, Horse-and- Jockey, Selborne.

Please to direct to me as before at Selborne near Alton
Hants. If you know anybody in the N. whom it may
concern, you may assure them that the crop of hops in the S.
is prodigious ; and that they are very fine in quality. I
conclude

Your most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

Pray write soon.

LETTER IV.

TO THE SAME.

Seleburne, near Alton, Hants,

Dec. 7, 1780.
DEAR . SIR,

IF you have no more fears about a winter-journey than I had
at your time of life, you might, I should hope, favour me with
a visit during the approaching vacation. The country indeed

190 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

is now shorn of its tresses, and much in dishabille ; but we
have still pleasant foot-paths, wild views, and chearful neigh-
bours. I will give you some roast-beef, plum-pudding, and
other Xstmass-cheer. We do not, I believe now keep the
good season that is advancing so jollily as you do in the N. ;
but you will, I hope, be pleased with visiting S1' Adam de
Gurdon's hall, where that old baron probably entertained his
tenants with an ox roasted whole, and floods of brown ale.
What I want is for you to try your hand at this place at this
disadvantageous season ; and then I shall not doubt but you
will like it better in the summer. We have just finished a
walkf of 400 yards in length thro' an hanging wood just
above my house ; which we are apt to think will please
strangers, because we like it ourselves. From hence we look
on the village in a very pleasing light. If you are a draughts-
man, I can show you some stained views taken from nature by
an artist that came down to me from London.

My progress in Nat. Hist, is very slow indeed: I now and J

# # # # # _ # # # * # #

advertised, I see, and will be out in Feb. I heartily wish he
may give no reason for complaint with respect to religious
matters : in other respects he will be secure of fame.

If I was to meet Gen. Arnold I should address him thus : —

" But wherefore thou alone ? wherefore with thee
Came not all? *****
* * * "had'stthoualledg'd

To thy deserted host this cause of flight
Thou surely had'st not come sole fugitive."

I am, with due respect,

You most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

Mr. G., I understand, will draw a comparison between
Xstianity papal, and Mohammedism ; and indeed I am at a

t The Bostal.

| [A portion of this letter is lost.]

AND THE REV. R CHURTON. 191

loss to say which will make the most hideous picture. I
mean the popery of the darker ages *.

LETTER V.

TO THE SAME.

Selborne, Dec, 19, 1780.

DEAR SIR,

BY your letter of the 14th to Dr. Chandler, which the Dr. has
communicated to me, I am glad to find that you are so well
disposed to make me a visit, and hope you will meet with no
interruption. You will not, I hope, over-stay this unpre-
cedented run of fine weather, that has befallen us now for
more than three weeks, without rain, wind, or frost I

If you have a friend in London to whom you can send yr
portmanteau, then you need only desire him to direct it for
you " at ye Revd Mr. W. at Selborne, to be left at the Swan-
Inn at Alton, by the Southampton coach," which comes from
the Belle Savage-Inn on Ludgate hill; but if you have no
such person, then direct it to Mr. Edmd White at Mr.
Hounsom's mercer in Fleet-street London, to be forwarded
to Mr. White &c. by the Southampton coach.

If you call at Caversham pray present my most respectful
compliments to Mr. Loveday, and the ladies. I have not the
pleasure to be known to Dr. Loveday.

Your most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

* [At page 120, in a letter to Mr. Barker, the forthcoming work of
Gibbon is mentioned ; this referred to the first volume only. The allu-
sion in the above letter to Mr. Churton is to that further portion of the
history which, accordingly, made its appearance, in the second and third
volumes, in February 1781.— T. B.]

192 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

LETTER VI.

TO THE SAME.

Selborne, May 9, 1781.
DEAE SIR,

WHEN I called at Brazen-nose Coll. in the Easter week, I was
sorry but not disappointed in not finding you, because Mr.
Loveday had intimated that probably you would be gone on a
visit to his son.

As you have seen Selborne, and the nakedness of the land
at Xtmas, you will not do it justice if you do not come and
visit it in all its glory, in its full foliage, and verdure.

I therefore exhort you and enjoin you to come and spend
the Whitsun vacation here, where your company and con-
versation will be very acceptable ; and, if I mistake not, my
neighbours will be glad to see you also.

If you come by Caversham, be pleased to ask for a parcel of
papers which I left with Mr. Loveday.
I am, with due respect,

Your most affectionate servant,

GILL. WHITE.

If you will direct yr portmanteau to be left at the Bell
Savage on Ludgate hill London, to be forwarded to the
Swan at Alton by the Southampton coach, it will, I trust,
come safe.

LETTER VII.

TO THE SAME.

Seleburne, Jan. 4, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

YOUR long and communicative letter of Dec. 16 gave me
much satisfaction. After you went away my family became

AND THE REV. K. CIIURTON. 193

very large for the rest of the summer. I had with me my
bro. Th. White, and daughter and two sons, my sister Barker
from Rutland and her two youngest daughters, and at times
my nep. J. White son of Mrs. J. White, who is just settled
at Salisbury as a surgeon, being invited by some friends who
seemed perswaded that there was an opening. My nieces,
Barkers, especially the eldest of the two who is 22 years of
age, have (I speak as a foolish uncle) very fine fingers, and
play elegantly on the harpsichord. These maidens enter-
tained us day after day with very lovely lessons from Niccolai,
Giordani, and several other modern masters, in a very agree-
able manner. But I find, as I grow old, that music, tho'
very sweet and engaging at the time, yet occasions very
unpleasing sensations afterwards. When I hear fine lessons
I am haunted with passages therefrom night and day, and
especially at first waking, which by their importunity give
me more pain than pleasure : airs and jigs rush upon my
imagination, and recur irresistably to my memory at seasons,
and even when I am desirous of thinking of other matters.
The following curious quotation strikes me much by so well
representing my own case, and by describing what I have so
often felt, but never could so well express. " Praehabebat
porro vocibus humanis, instrumentisque harmonicis, musicam
illam avium : non quod alia quoque non delectaretur ; sed
quod ex musica humana relinqueretur in ammo continens
quaedam attentionemque & somnum conturbans agitatio; dum
ascensus, excensus, tenores, ac mutationes illse sonorum, &
consonantiarum euntque redeuntque per phantasiam : cum
nihil tale relinqui possit ex modulationibus avium, quae, quod
non sunt perinde internam facultatem commovere." * — De vita
Peireskii per Gassendum.

I am glad that you met with the Star-sluch in Cheshire,
after you had examined the Tremella nostoc in Hants. Not
that I had any doubt myself that the former was a vegetable,
but because I met with intelligent people who are still per-

* [This is the third time this passage is quoted by Gilbert White :
first in the LVIth letter to Barrington, and again in a letter to his niece
Mary White.— T. B.]

VOL. II. O

194 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

swaded that this substance is a mass of indigested food cast-
up out of the stomachs of crows ! and some have told me that
they have distinguished the limbs of frogs among it ! As to
a star-sluch growing on the bough of an oak ; this must have
been a matter of accident. The seeds of all Fungi, you know,
are lighter than air, and therefore float about in it ; and
vegetate only when they happen to fall on a proper nidus.

Dr. Ch. seemed a good deal chagrined about the behaviour
of his prime minister. If he had not come home just in time,
a bern would have been born unto him in the vicarage. Sim
Etty, tutored by the Dr., runs about the village, and repeats
to every one he meets, with great vehemence ; — " Mulieri ne
credas, ne mortuae quidem." Ch. Etty is at the Nore aboard
the Duke of Kingston, and is expected every day at Spithead;
from whence he is to make a visit here for a day or two
before he sails for India.

I thank you much for procuring Mr. Hampton's pamphlet,
which you will please to leave at my brother's. You will, I
hope, make yrself known to him ; I have mentioned you to
him. You will see a roomy shop, well furnished, with old
gent, in leathern doublets. Timothy the tortoise would make
but a poor king : he would be so slow in his motions as to be
but a king Log at best ; and an alert enemy would deprive
him of half his dominions, before he could awake from his
profound slumbers.

I will take care of your Rex Platonicus, and hope I shall
bring it you at Exeter. My bro. Th. opened several of the
barrows on our down in the summer, but found nothing.
Now you talk of last summer, it was a strange summer
indeed ! Nothing like it, I believe, has befallen since the year
1725, when it rained every day, except about 10 in July,
from March 29th to Septem* 29t>h ; but then the first part of
said year was very dry. In 1782 the rain that fell at
Selborne was 50 inc. 26 hund. ! and of this the greatest part
came in the first 9 months ; for Octr, Nov1', and Decr were
comparatively dry ; Dec. afforded only 0 inc. 91 h. I would
have you dine with my bro. Ben in Fleet street: he dines
always about three o'clock. If you would call some morning

AND THE REV. 11. CHUKTON. 1<JO

at my bro. Tho. White's at South Lambeth, just beyond
Vauxhall turnpike, he would be glad to see you. It is a
pretty walk from town to S. Lambeth ! If you will go there
and dine * (next ?) Sunday, you will meet both families ; for
they both live * (there ?). "

[Here followed the pleasing lines "On the early and late blowing of the
Vernal and Autumnal Crocus," which will be found among the Poems at
the end of the first volume ; they were first written in this letter to Mr.
Churton.— T. B.]

I am; with all due esteem,

Your most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

Neighbours are all well. Mrs. J. White joins in the good
wishes of the season.

LETTER VIII.

TO THE SAME.

Seleburne, Aug. 20, 1783.
DEAR SIR,

THO' my house is full of company, yet I must no longer
delay to answer your agreeable and intelligent letter from
Williamscot. Poor Mrs. Etty has been a great sufferer both
in mind and body, having paid a long attendance on her son
Andrew, who languished from spring to midsummer, and
then dyed of a slow decay. What added to the affliction
was, that Miss C. Etty was lying all the while under the
same circumstances at Winchester, and dying first, was
brought to this place ; so that I had the sorrowful office of
burying these two young people, the one on one Saturday,
and the other on the following. Ch. Etty has not been heard
of since he sailed for India in March; but the papers mention

* [These words, or some of similar meaning, have been torn from the
edge of the letter.— T. B.]

o2

196 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

the Duke of Kingston (his ship) having called at the Cape
Verds in April, all well.

We have experienced a long summer, with intense heats,
little rain, and no storms. But what has been very extra-
ordinary, was the long-continued haze, extending thro' this
island, and, I think, thro' Europe, attended with vast honey-
dews, which destroyed all our hops, and lasted more than a
month. Thro' this rusty coloured air, the sun, " shorn of his
beams," appeared like the moon, even at noonday. The
country people looked with a kind of superstitious awe on the
red lowering aspect of the great luminary, " Cum caput
obscurd nitidum ferrugine texit." And I have no doubt, but
that the unusual look of the sky at Caesar's death, mentioned
both by historians, and poets, was somewhat of the same
kind. As I love to trace natural appearances, I desire to
know if you saw a very large luminous meteor traversing the
sky from N.W. to S.W. on Monday even Aug. 18 about
9 o'clock. Pray hunt for star-sluch, because several intelli-
gent people, one at present in this house, stare and wonder
when I advance that the matter is vegetable; and Dr. Chandler
in particular shakes his head, and asserts that the mass is
frogs thrown up indigested. But I beg to know why crows
are not sometimes crop-sick, and have not weak digestions
in Hants (yet we have no such appearance) as well as
in Cheshire. Apply a magnifying glass to the substance, and
try to discover the seeds.

I return you thanks for Hampton's pamphlet, and am
indebted to you whatever it cost. The notices concerning
Wolmer-forest in Gent. Mag. came, I conclude, from Dr.
Chandler, whose extracts from the Worldham Register are
genuine. We have this year a most lovely harvest, much
corn — but no hops. Our fruit is well ripened, and grapes
very forward.

You pay an high compliment to my crocuses, but were not
aware that it will bring more lines on your back. Read
them, as little exercises, made last autumn for the use of my
nephews (for such they really were), and then you will give
them all reasonable allowances. Some weeks ago Dr. Chandler

AND THE REV. R. CIIURTON. 197

at Portsmouth; but we have not seen him. The Dr. does
not seem disposed to settle. May I presume to send my
humble respects to Dr. Townson, whom I have sometimes
soon, a long time ago, at Magd. Coll. Sportsmen expect a
vast breed of game this season. Pray be so good as to favour
me with a letter at your leisure. Mrs. J. White joins in
respects. I am

Your obliged servant,

GIL. WHITE.

I am glad that you are pleased with the passage from the
life of Peireskius, and that you, as well as myself, have been
haunted with passages in music.

If you will look in Gent. Mag. for June 1783, you will
find, under article " Metamorphosis," a copy of verses written
by a poor dear Oxford friend long since dead, who was
pleased, about 35 years ago, to make himself merry with my
attachment to gardening.

A HARVEST-SCENE*:

AFTER THE MANNER OF THOMSON.

Wak'd by the gentle gleamings of the morn,
Soon clad, the Reaper, provident of want,
Hies, chearful-hearted, to the ripen'd field :
Nor hastes alone, attendant by his side
His faithful wife, sole partner of his cares,
Bears on her breast the sleeping babe ; behind
With steps unequal trips the infant train f.
Thrice happy pair, in love and labour joined !

All day they ply their task ; with mutual chat
Beguiling each the sultry, tedious hours :
Around them falls in rows the sever'd corn ;
Or the shocks rise in regular array.

* [These lines were inserted in the second and subsequent editions of
the work.— T. B.]
t [ . . . sequitur patrem non passibus aequis,

Pone subit conjux. JExi. ii, 724.]

108 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

But when high noon invites to short repast,
Beneath the shade of shelt'ring thorn they sit,
Divide the simple meal, and drain the cask :
The swinging cradle lulls the whimp'ring babe
Meantime ; while growling round, if at the tread
Of hasty passenger alarm'd, as of their store
Protective, stalks the cur with bristling back,
To guard the scanty scrip and russet garb.

LETTER IX.

TO THE SAME.

South Lambeth, Mar. 30, 1784.
DEAR SIR,

I TAKE it very kind that you should remember me, when pro-
bably I owed you a letter all the while. As I propose to re-
turn to Selborne on Friday next, and to set out for Oxford on
Easter Tuesday, it does not seem very probable that we shall
meet. If you are in London on a Thursday, I would advise
you by all means to attend on the R. S. and Antiquary-meet-
ings in their new splendid rooms at Somerset-house. Dr.
Chandler can probably put you in a method of being intro-
duced ; if you do not see him, attend in the outer room, be-
tween the two rooms, at a quarter before seven in the evening,
and enquire for Dr. Lort, who, I trust, on your using my
name, will introduce you to both the meetings, where perhaps
you may hear somewhat worth your trouble. The Antiq.
Society, I find, is growing very fashionable ; for I observed
that many Right Honourables were balloted for on Thursday
se'nnight. The weather has been dismal and winter- like ever
since I left home ; however, I have great advantages in these
parts, having a bed at command both in town and country
and a carriage to take me to town. Tho. Davis, the book-
seller, has just published his memoirs on plays and players, a
pleasant book. He has a good stile, and language that no
man need be ashamed of, and abounds in curious and pleasant

AND THE REV. II. CHURTON. 199

anecdotes. Mr. Etty has heard twice from his son at tho
Capo of Good Hope ; his ship was burnt in the Indian seas,
from which he had a miraculous escape, and was carried naked
aboard another ship in company ; he lost every thing. Molly
White's rhimes were Norwegian. If you see any lines in
Gent. Mag. on such soft weather as I have languished for in
vain the spring thro', treat them with what lenity you may.

Mrs. J. White joins in respects. If you hear nothing
curious at the R. S. or Antiq. meetings, at least you will see
two grand rooms and many respectable people, besides Somer-
set House, a national building as big as three or four colleges !

I am, with due respect,

Your most obedient servant,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER X.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brazen-Nose, Jan. 22, 1786.
DEAR SIR,

EPIC poets, with the approbation of Horace, " in medias ru-
unt res;" but a letter-writer, a much humbler being, com-
monly begins at one end, though it may happen to be tho
wrong end. Let me inform you then, first of all, that on
Monday last I got to College safe and well, and found my
portmanteau in my room waiting my arrival. Of some parts
of my travels since I left Selborne you may possibly have
heard from your neighbours. This, however, you probably will
not have heard; and I know it will give you pleasure to hear,
that I found Mr. Loveday, excepting some slight remains of
a cough, very well, his hearing better than usual, and his
memory, in spite of all that he says, just as good as it has ever
been since I have had the happiness of his acquaintance.
Mrs. Loveday was confined, in consequence, I believe, of her
great attention to Mr. L. in his late illness. The rest of tho
family were well. Dr. and Mrs. Loveday returned to Wil-

200 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

Hamscotj whence a letter says a bundle of anecdotes, &c., re-
specting the spectators &c., was sent to London a year or two
ago. This is a little episode. Now for Caversham again,
whither I went to tea after dining in Reading ; and as I was
going in the dusk I wTas accosted in a manner that amused
me not a little — " Why, it looks very ghastly ; all these mea-
dows are quite flooded entirely." From Caversham on Wed-
nesday I proceeded to Windsor, and thence next day as far
as Kensington, where I met Miss Chase in the street, and ac-
cepted an invitation to dinner. I found the family full of
joy with the very agreeable news which they had received the
day before, as you have probably heard, from the two Mr.
Chases in India. Next day I went on to London, had the
pleasure of seeing your brother very well in Fleet Street, and,
after making several other visits, dined with Mr. Lewis in
Frederick's Place, where I had the pleasure of finding him
and Mrs. Lewis and abundance of nephews and nieces (for
they call me Uncle Churton) very well, and a prospect of an
addition to the number very soon. Mr. L. had seen a letter
from Mrs. Chandler a few days before ; all well. Having
finished my business in town, which was to learn whether Mrs.
Winchester was at H. Wycombe, I returned to sleep in the
purer air of Kensington, and next day set forward for Wy-
combe ; but I had not gone far when I perceived a solitary
flake of snow approaching the ground. " Oh!" quoth I, " is
this the sport I am to have?" and another and another fea-
ther, either from Wales or somewhere else, soon succeeded,
and I was as white and fair in my snowy plumes as you
please. After riding about ten or a dozen miles, a bit of
bread and a glass of brandy, " decus vitas," were no uncom-
fortable things; and I got on to Wycombe, the snow still
continuing, neither wet nor fatigued.

I see Whitney's ' Emblems ' are in the Bodleian. Bellen-
denus, who published the work which I mentioned, " De tribus
luminibus Roman orum," from which Middleton is said to have
translated whole pages in his ' Life of Cicero,' published before
a small 12° tract which is called ' Ciceronis Princeps;' and
this, like the ' Lumina,' is drawn up in the words of Cicero, and

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 201

contains the scattered maxims &c. relating to government
from the different parts of his works ; it is addressed to Prince
Henry; and in the preface he mentions having drawn up from
the same author what he had said on the History and Anti-
quities of Rome, and digested in several books which he in-
tended to publish. He no doubt means the ' De tribus lum.
R.; ' but he does not there call it by that name ; and why he
did so call it, no account, as far as appears, can be given. I
have shewn the inscription on the ostrich shell at the vicarage
to a linguist. It is Dutch ; but the word on the flag of the
ship, which, if I copied it right, has no vowel, is as yet a
puzzle. I observed a circumstance in the late frost which
was new to me; but I daresay you are well acquainted with it.
Having pulled off, as I was going to bed, my silk stockings
and those I wore under them together, as I was separating
them I heard a great crackling, upon which I carried the
other into the dark, to see as well as hear the effect ; and
during the separation the sparks were so vivid and plenteous
that a person unacquainted with electricity would have thought
the stockings would be burnt. After this, holding the silk
stocking in one hand, I passed the other down it several times,
and as often as I did it a blaze, but without any noise, fol-
lowed my hand ; I think the stockings have been washed only
once. The next day, having an older pair on, the frost still
continuing, there was no noise or fire during the separation,
nor could I elicit the smallest spark with my hand. It seems
by this as if silk lost in some degree its electrical as well as
wearable properties by time. I dined yesterday in company
with Dr. Parr, late of Norwich, but now going to a living in
Warwickshire, where he means to take a few boarders. He
is a Cambridge man; and a sermon of his is reviewed in the last
Mag. He himself reviews sometimes ; the Oxford Cicero was
reviewed by him, where I had a little rap, having in the account
of MSS. said " licet fert " instead of "ferat." I suppose he
does not know who drew up the account. He seems a very sen-
sible and learned man ; but, pace tanti viri dixerim, dogmati-
cal and overbearing. * I began this two or three days
ago ; but one business or other prevented my finishing it. I

202 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

have written to Dr. Chandler. Give my best respects to Mrs.
J. White, and comp*8 to the surgeon, who I hope will get on
well in his new situation. I hope Mrs. Etty and the ladies
are well, and beg to be remembered to them. I owe you
many thanks for your kind hospitality, and, hoping to hear
from you at your leisure, I am,

Yours, &c.,

K. CHURTON.

LETTER XL

FROM MB. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE,

Selborne, June 6; 1787.
DEAR SIR,

I AM just arrived from Waverley, and very sorry not to find
the master of this hospitable mansion at home. I did not
know that I should be at Waverley these holidays till just
before I set out thither; and when my plan was fixt I pur-
posed at several times to write to enquire whether you were
at Selborne ; but one or other avocation prevented me. So
here lam; and your bread and butter, and cream and tea and
sugar, will shortly suffer great depredations. However, in
some respects I hope you will be the better, aye, and the richer,
for my visit. In the first place I bring you an Anglesey
penny from the fair hands of Miss Lovoday, who, I hope, by
this time is in perfect health. When I called at Caversham
on Whit Tuesday a bad fever was just gone off, but she still
kept her bed. Of her friends, however, she was not unmind-
ful, and she sent me down this coin with a commission to
bring it hither. I never saw Mr. L. in better health or spirits,
though his leg, which he bruised some time ago and neglected,
is not well, as it would be soon if he would rest it before him;
but he prefers a wounded leg with activity to sound limbs and
idleness. This incomparable friend of ours, who knows every
thing, presently showed me the ' Annals of Waverley ' in print,

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 200

among some other tracts published by Gale. Dr. Adee, M.D.,
whom you knew probably , collected a Hist, of Waved oy Abbey ;
and my friend Dr. Bostock has a transcript of it. He has
made considerable use of the annals, and appears to have put
together all, or nearly all, that is to be met with on the sub-
ject. I left a paper for you at Fleet Street, which said that
the heart of Peter de Rupibus was buried at Waverley, and
his body at Winchester. The Hist, of Waverley mentions
this ; and Dr. Adee adds " that when Mr. Child first came to
the place, a heart was dug up in a leaden pot, and preserved in
some liquor." Simon de Montfort is also mentioned ; but
this, I think, I extracted on the said paper.

No Mr. White, no Mrs. J. White, no Mr. Edm. White, no
Mrs. Etty ! Alas poor Selborne ! thy grotesque lanes, thy
romantic vales, thy delightful walks, thy verdant hills, thy ex-
tensive prospects deserve to be honoured by other inhabitants
than the philosophic Timothy in the beginning of June ! Here,
however (for I have almost done mischief enough to the loaf),
here " Let me wander all unseen, By hedgerow elms and hil-
locks green," in fields somewhat more fertile than the Surrey
hills, where the largest of the trees first planted by 0. Hunter is
about 3 feet in girt, after growing, I believe, more years than
I have been growing ; but then in height they have far out-
stript me, to say nothing of my friend the archer of Rolle *,
who honoured me with a letter yesterday after a half year's
silence. He says not a syllable about returning to England ;
but if he has left Rolle, as perhaps he may before a letter ar-
rives, it will bo forwarded. He says the English literature
and nation enjoy in Switzerland a degree of esteem which is
very flattering to a lover of his country, and that it is sur-
prizing to see the number of English authors to be met with
in the libraries of gentlemen in the delicious little town where
he was when he wrote to me.

I enclose you a letter from the ' Wanderer ' (" Thickness the
traveller ") ; how instructive it may prove I know not. Mr.
Burby tells mo he saw a letter from C. Etty which was for-
warded to Mrs. Etty, and that he apprehends he is on the
* [Dr. Chandler.— T. B.]

204 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

English coast, if he is not landed. I was much indebted to
the hospitality and conversation of S. Lambeth during my
visit to the metropolis at Easter, which was not so long as it
would have been if the smoke had not given me a wretched
cough, which the air of Oxford and the country removed some
time ago. I am afraid I shall not see Selborne again this
summer, as I am bound for Cheshire towards the end of the
Term, which begins to-day. I came across the country from
Waverleyby the Holte, through Kingsley,and along, the edge of
Wolmer, and never was much out of my way I believe. Some
of the hills hereabout I knew as I approached them ; but there
was a clump of trees on a promontory to the left of the Tem-
ple nearer Empsholt which disturbed me a good deal. I
thought I must have seen and remembered such a prominent
feature (if you allow fashionable expressions) in the land-
scape. I am much obliged to you for the kind letter which
I found in my room on my return to college after Easter.
And now let me enquire after friend Timothy. He looks very
well, and says not a syllable of a late elopement. Perhaps he
is ashamed of it ; and yet who knows whether he was not
going in quest of his master ; and if he had not speedily been
brought back he might possibly have surprized you by an un-
expected visit at S. Lambeth. Thomas tells me that C. Etty
is arrived in England, which I am very glad to hear. I saw
Mrs. Etty for five minutes at Beaconsfield on my way to
London. The rain, which is just set in, will, I hope, be of
service to the country ; but I could gladly have excused it for
three hours longer — one to walk about here, and two to ride
back to Waverley. My great coat I very wisely left at Read-
ing. I might make that in my way to Waverley ; but then
I should run a risk of losing my dinner, which, at a proper
interval after breakfast, is an object of some importance. It
still rains, and I am still, dear Sir,

Your most obedient and much obliged servant,

R, CHURTON.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 205

LETTER XII.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen Nose, Oct. 14, 1787.
DEAR SIR,

I OUGHT to have written to you sooner ; but, besides other
reasons, my cold was rather worse, either from change of wea-
ther or travelling, or both, and I was not willing to send you
an unfavourable account. I hope I can now truly say that I
am still better than when I left Hants, though my cough is
not yet entirely gone. I lost my way to Waverley as usual ;
but I did not much regret it. I endeavoured to cut off angles
upon entering the Holt ; and keeping a good look out for the
great oak, I found myself under it before I was aware. I
rode round it, and must confess it the largest by far I ever
saw. The nearest to it, but " longo proximus intervallo,"
grows at Mar bury in Cheshire. Going on from the oak I
came to the Lodge, no very splendid house for a nobleman.
Here I got instructions from one of the servants, and pro-
ceeded without any more deviation to Waverley. I sheltered
once or twice for a few minutes in the Holt while a slight
shower passed over ; and the next day I stopt at Hartford
bridge (where I breakfasted) about two hours on a similar
occasion, and then got on safely to Caversham. Mr. Loveday's
cold, which had been better, was that day increased; but from
losing some blood twice since that, he is stronger, and his cold
much better. The next day was rather stormy; but by quick-
ening or retarding my pace, I slipt through the clouds without
getting wet, and got to Oxford in good time. The next day,
which was Saturday, not feeling very bold, I went in a post-
chaise to Williamscot; and good nursing and gentle rides,
though we could not procure a milch ass, soon made me
better.

Oct. 15. On my road from Reading hither I saw martins

L>03 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

and swallows, perhaps half a score of each. On the 6th,
going to Williarnscot, I saw two swallows ; and last Friday
(12th) I saw about half a dozen martins flitting about over
the village of Williamscot ; I have seen none since, though I
had some hopes of seeing some to day as I was riding at noon
about Headington ; for it was particularly fine. I thank you
for forwarding the letter, and will repay you with pleasure
whatever you may have advanced for me on that or any other
account when I have the happiness of seeing you again ; and
I do hope, please God, to live to see the day when my health
shall be established in such a degree that I may not be a bur-
den and plague to my friends wherever I am. I looked in
the ' De Senectute,' where a country life is celebrated, but do
not meet with any passage that I think quite applicable as a
motto. I saw your Provost at church to day, and thought he
looked very well; his wig improves him much. At Wil-
liamscot I cast my eye over the account of Alien Priories; and
I see a great part of the account consists of extracts in Latin,
titles of deeds, or references to them, &c. ; so that if there is
Latin in the Selborne ' Antiquities,' it will be agreeable to good
authorities. However, for my own single opinion (and I
speak with the frankness of sincere friendship), I should like
it never the worse if in one or two of the letters Latin was
less introduced, provided the sense could without much diffi-
culty be given in honest English. I hope Mr. B. White, who
I suppose is still your neighbour or your guest, finds his
health before this time perfectly re-established. I beg my best
respects to him, and to Mr. T. White, and, in one word, to all
at Newton and Selborne. * * * I owe you indeed many,
many thanks for your most obliging friendship and hospi-
tality, which you will permit me to present with every good
wish for your welfare.
I am, dear Sir,

Your very sincere and faithful servant,

E. CHURTOK

AND THE REV. II. CIIURTON. 207

LETTER XIII.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Williamscot, Banbury, July 31, 1788.

DEAR SIR,

You were kind enough in your last letter not to require an
immediate answer ; yet I made a discovery about a week ago
which I did intend to communicate earlier. Do not be alarmed ;
it is not the hibernacula of the Hirundines that I have found
out, nor even the longitude, though I did indeed meet with a
person at Highain Ferrars who told me he had discovered that,
and the perpetual motion, and to square the circle. My disco-
veries are of a much more humble nature, and what any other
travelled gentleman, even if he did not ride a black horse but a
pale white one, might have made. In the course of my travels I
came to Bourn, a small market town in Lincolnshire. Inqui-
ring for curiosities, " You have heard, I dare say," said a de-
cent man in the street, " of Bourn well head, a spring that
turns three mills in the space of a mile," I think he said, but
certainly in the parish. I went to see it ; and I will extract
the account of it from my as yet inedited journal. " You
might take it at first for a stagnant pool ; but there are no
runners (as a man called them) into it, and the water is most
clear and beautiful, in extent perhaps 30 yards by 20 ; and
one if not two copious streams run out of it (I believe they
mostly run into one ; but the streams are divided in some
places for the convenience of the town) : yet it is in the midst
of a flat country, and I question whether there is any land
higher than this as much even as three feet within as many
miles. Indeed the sides of the pool are some of them higher
than the adjacent land, and seem to have been raised either
to give the streams issuing hence the direction wished or
greater force, or for both purposes. There are ( trenches/ as
they call them, close by, which perhaps surrounded this noble

208 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

spring. The ' castle-yard' is adjoining on the side next the town.
The largest extent of the intrenchments in a quadrangular form
is beyond. An elderly man told me there are many very fine
springs in the parish ; the town doubtless has its name from
this spring. The mills are ( undershot ;' and one of them is
not above a hundred yards from the well-head, though by the
stream (that winds about) it may be more. There is higher
land (perhaps it may be called a hill) about three miles off,
perhaps not quite so much, and in appearance a wood upon
it." I send you this account, as it confirms your etymology
of Selborne, if it needs confirmation ; and if you think so you
may perhaps mention this in a note, if the work is not entirely
finished. I have not looked to see whether Camden says any
thing about Bourn, but it is likely he does. * * *

Your obliged servant,

R. CHURTOK

LETTER XIV.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.

Selborne, Oct. 14, 1788.
DEAR SIR,

I SNATCH this opportunity, by means of Mr. Yentris, who is
going to leave us, to return you thanks for your kind enqui-
ries, and to inform you that my brother was mending very
fast of his first complaint, but was seized last night with a
sharp fit of the gout, which we trust in the end may do him
good. The new Rector talks of coming to Faringdon to reside
immediately, tho' he is not yet in possession. We are glad
to hear that you got well to Coll.

Yr very humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 209

LETTER XV.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.

Selborne, Dec. 3, 1788.
DEAR SIR,

THERE is an old maxim, which poor dear Mrs. Etty now and
then made use of, that when once u Stir up we beseech thee,

0 Lord, the wills of thy faithful people," &c. had been read
and passed over, the festival of Xtmass came creeping upon
us before we could be aware. Being reminded by this wise
saw, I began to think that I would write to neighbour
Churton, and invite him to S., when your agreeable letter
came in.

It is a very flattering account that you give of the reception
which my book met with at Caversham and your lodgings.
There is reason to wish that the work may find many more
such candid readers: if not, what is to become of the Editors,
who have spared no expense in getting it up, and who have
printed off a large impression ?

I am now reading every day yr friend Dr. Townson's dis-
courses, which give me, as you engaged that they would,
singular satisfaction : there is an acumen, and nicety of critical
discernment, not often to be met with. In his sermon, p. 282,

1 am particularly charmed with the author's remarks upon the
use Xt made of his parables, and the reasons why they were
so nicely adapted to the taste of his hearers ! *

We have just heard that Miss and Reb. Chase were on the
wing for India. Their motive must be, no doubt, a view of
settling in the married state. Celibacy has something in it so
abhorrent to the sex, that they will flie from pole to pole to

* [The reference is to Dr. Townson's * Discourses on the Four Gospels,'
which were at that time much celebrated. Dr. Townson was a Fellow
of Magdalen College, Oxford, and Rector of Malpas, in Cheshire, Mr.
Churton's native place. He became Archdeacon of Richmond, and died
in 1792.—T. B.]

VOL. II. P

210 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

avoid it. However, let their fate be what it may, I wish them
happy.

Pray bring what you transcribe respecting the /copwrj and
^eXtSwv ; some use may possibly be made of it. I rejoice to
hear that Dr. Chandler is well. I most readily condole with
you on the sad calamity that has befallen at Windsor ; and
pray to God that He will be pleased speedily to restore the
King to a right use of his faculties. Should the nation be
long deprived of one of its states, so necessary to the consti-
tution, such a spirit of party, it is to be feared, will break
forth, as may make what we remember of political struggles a
mere civil game to what may ensue.

Mr. Loveday has just written me a letter, in which he says,
" If in the perusal any things should occur worthy of remark,
such observations shall be transmitted to Selborne." Now
pray tell that gent, that any strictures from such a quarter
will be most gratefully received ; and be sure to add, that
could such have been obtained before publication, they would
have been deemed inestimable. Pray come on the 24th; for
if you cannot be as regular in your migrations as a ring-
ousel or a swallow, where is the use of all your knowledge ?
since it may be outdone by instinct. When Ld Botetourt was
Governor of Virginia, a slave, meeting him, pulled off his cap,
and made him a bow, which the benevolent peer returned.
Good God ! says a by-stander, does your Ldship pay any
regard to such a wretch? By all means, says the good
nobleman : would you have me outdone in common civility
by a negroe ? Mrs. J. Wh. joins in respects to you and J.
Etty ; and to Mr. Yentris, when you see him.

Yr most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 211

LETTER XVI.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Malpas, July 31, 1789.
DEAR SIR,

* Since my last I have heard of many instances of the
great havoc which the long frost of last winter made with fish
in ponds. My brother says he has observed them in former
frosts when a hole was made in the ice, appear at it almost
dead, and after continuing there a short space, swim away
very alertly. But last winter was far worse. I should have
been glad to have seen your Goossander and Dun-diver, if they
were as beautiful in plumage or as curious in their formation
as the speckled diver which I did see ; and more beautiful or
more curious I think they hardly could be. At Whitsuntide
I went to Cambridge to examine old manuscripts ; but when
I was there I saw some other curiosities ; and amongst the
rest I was pleased to see the skeleton of a speckled diver in
the anatomy school. Dr. Harwood *, the Professor of Anatomy,
shewed me this among his collections ; and I think it was
done by himself. The feet with their web were entire. *

Mr. dough's ' Camden ' I have only had leisure just to look
into, but it seems a truly Herculean opus. Mistakes are un-
avoidable in much shorter works ; so that if this have some, as
it is said to have, it is far from being wonderful. He was of
Bene't College, Cambridge, and I am not certain whether the
master did not tell me that he was a pupil of his. His father
died when he was young, and his mother was a rigid presby-
terian, and he was brought up among persons of that stamp.

* [Sir. Busick Harwood, M.D., of Christ's College, Cambridge, was
Professor of Anatomy in the University from 1785 to 1814. On his
death his private collections were purchased by the University, and with
them originated its present Anatomical Museums. His osteological speci-
mens were not numerous, and that spoken of above no longer exists. —
A. N.]

212 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

When he was entered at Cambridge, and had been at prayers,
he turned to his Guardian who went to fix him there, and
said with some emphasis, "This is a very rational form of
worship," or words to that effect ; and I hope his approbation
of what so highly deserves it continues unabated. When I
was in town at Easter I saw Mr. Grough twice and had great
reason to be pleased with him. I had been told he had a
plate of our founder's monument. This was not true; but,
though I had heard an account of him rather different, I
found him extremely civil and communicative. He came to
the coffee house and sat with me half an hour.

I was much obliged to Mr. B. White, Jun., for a seat for
myself and a friend to see the procession to St. Paul's ; but I
will not attempt to describe that truly magnificent spectacle,
of which you have had a better account by word of mouth
from those who saw it |. * * * *

I am, with compte to Mrs. J. White, to the family at
Newton, &c. &c., Dear Sir,

Your sincere humble servant,

E. CHUETON.

P.S. I believe Dr. Loveday desired me to say with his
compt8 you should have any notes Mr. L. had made, or him-
self, on the History of Selborne.

LETTEE XVII.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.

Seleburne, Sept. 1, 1789.
DEAR SIR,

YOUR letter of July 31st lies before me, and informs me that
you are now breathing your native air, which, I hope, will
agree with you : Malpas will moreover, I trust, prove a

t {This was on the occasion of the King, George III.,. going to St.
Paul's to return thanks for his recovery, April 23, 1789.— T. B.]

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 213

mother to you, and not a step-mother. The reason that
Edmd White delayed his journey to Oxford was the badness
of the weather, which broke-up the party ; however he went
himself on the last day of term but one, and took his degree
on the last day. I rejoice to hear that yr good friend Dr.
Townson continues so well at his advanced time of life ; and
desire my respects to him. As to Dr. Chandler I have heard
from him twice in the course of this summer, and have
looked him out an house, the best in Alton : he seemed in his
last to pay some attention to my information ; but I have
doubts about his settling, and do not depend on him as a
neighbour. He at present is much embarrassed by the
troubles in France, which would render a journey through
that kingdom truely dangerous. He talked in his last of
going up to Basil, and so down the Rhine to Holland.
While I was in town I turned over Mr. Gough's ' Camden ' : it
is truely a Herculean labour: no wonder that there should be
some mistakes. In the map of Hants I saw Wetmer Forest
instead of Wolmer. Were I to live near you I verily believe
I should make an ornithologist of you. I have just found out
that the country people have a notion that the Fern-owl, or
Eve-jarr, which they also call a Puckeridge, is very injurious
to weanling calves by inflicting, as it strikes them, the fatal
distemper known to cow-leeches by the name of puckeridge *.
Thus does this harmless, ill-fated bird fall under a double
imputation, which it by no means deserves, — in Italy, of
sucking the teats of goats, where it is called Caprimulgus ;
and with us of communicating a deadly disorder to cattle.
But the truth of the matter is, the malady above mentioned is
occasioned by the GEstrus bovis, a dipterous insect, which lays
its eggs along the backs of kine, where the maggots, when
hatched, eat their way through the hide of the beast into the
flesh, and grow to a large size. I have just talked with a
man who says he has been called in, more than once, to strip
the calves that had died of the puckeridge; that the ail or
complaint lay along the chine, where the flesh was full of

* [These observations on the puckeridge will be found almost verbatim
in the « Observations on Birds," Vol. I. p. 439.— T. B.]

214 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

purulent matter. Once I myself saw a large rough maggot
of this sort taken out of the back of a cow. These maggots
in Essex are called wornils. The least attention would con-
vince men that these birds, weak and unarmed as they are,
cannot inflict any harm on kine, unless they possess the
powers of animal magnetism, and can affect them by flutter-
ing over them. Pray ask yr brother whether he knows the
bird and the distemper, and whether Cheshire men are
persuaded that the latter is occasioned by the former. We
had experienced a most lovely wheat-harvest ; but now there
is rain, which will respite the partridges for one day at least.
As soon as we came from town my house became full of
visitors ; we have had Mr. and Mrs. Sam Barker from Rut-
land, and Miss Eliz. Barker, a fine young woman, who is
allowed to be a very good lesson-player on the harpsichord.
They left us last Tuesday. We now expect my Bro. Tho.
White and family. My brother, I hear, is very well. Pray
present my respects to Dr. Loveday, and tell him I should be
very glad to see any notes or remarks made by him or his
venerable father on the history of Selborne : could they have
been procured before publication, they would have been more
valuable, because I might then have availed myself of their
corrections. My book is still asked for in Fleet Street. A
gent, came the other day, and said he understood that there
was a Mr. White who had lately published two books, a good
one and a bad one ; the bad one was concerning Botany Bay,
the better respecting some parish. The bookseller recom-
mended the parochial work; and told the enquirer that he did
not believe the author ever had been at Botany Bay, or had
ever written about it.

Mrs. J. White joins in respects. Mr. and Mrs. Ed. White
are gone to Ramsgate in Kent, a watering-place on the coast.
Mr. and Mrs Taylor are here. We have again a very fine
crop of hops.

Yr most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 215

LETTER XVIII.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, Oct. 25, 1789.
DEAR SIR,

THE date of your last and still unanswered letter I am
ashamed to mention. However, though I have not written to
you, I am glad to hear my friend Miss Reeve has been seeing
you. Very learned and, I hope you think, very civil, a
knight's eldest daughter with perhaps a thousand pound for
every year of her age, or at least half as many. Hendon
House near Maidenhead is in a most charming country, and
as yet perhaps a non-descript. As you are perfectly acquainted
with every quadruped and bird and insect and flower near
Selborne and have introduced them to the public and to im-
mortality, it will be a pleasant circumstance to vary the scene,
and add celebrity to Windsor and its neighbourhood.

" Methinks I see thee straying on the ' thicket

And asking every ' bird that roves the sky

' If ever it have ' seen fair Selborne's down."

I cannot say but I am interested in this expected migration.
I can then whip over to see you often and take a dinner or a
bed for a single night and return to college. But Selborne is a
long way off. And yet it is worth going a long way to see,
if it agrees at all with the account which a very curious and
interesting book in my room gives of it. You must know
that I am reading this work with great avidity in the very
few leisure moments that I can find or steal, and I am only
sorry that the Index to a volume containing such a variety of
useful and authentic information is not much more copious.
If you are acquainted with the writer of this " good book,"
you may tell him, with my humble service, that I hope to be
able to give him some papers that may help in the second
edition to remedy this single defect. But it is time to answer

216 COKKESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

your queries in regard to the distemper called " Puckeridge"
I consulted my brother and other persons on this subject and
minuted down the particulars he gave me, in which others
also concurred. The name of Puckeridge is unknown in
Cheshire. The disease along the chine, or rather the maggots
that cause it, they call " worry brees" * and a single one
" worrybree." But they are so far from thinking these
maggots prejudicial, that, on the contrary, they judge the calf
that has these " worrybrees " in the back less likely to be
struck (as they call it) with the hyant, which is or is con-
sidered a distinct disorder. When they are affected with this
it is perceivable by the hand; for the skin is hard, and rustles
(if you know that word) under the hand when rubbed by it.
Sometimes there is one or more spots of this nature, and
sometimes the body is almost covered with them. When the
skin is taken off, the flesh in those parts is like jelly. It is
deemed almost incurable, and they die in a few hours. My
brother never knew or heard of more than one instance of a
calf thus stricken recovering. That was but slightly affected,
perhaps in a single spot ; and the owner took the skin off the
part and put in a rowel, or something of the sort. This
disorder prevails most in Spring and Autumn, and commonly
in calves of the first or second year, seldom in older cattle.
Quid existimas de hac questione, an Puckerigium sit Hyan-
tium? and whence comes this remarkable word? Are the
Hyades supposed to cause it? I have heard the expression
planet-struck, but whether of this disease I am not sure. In
Cheshire they call calves the first winter twinters, in the second
year sterks. The last is common, the other growing obsolete.
I take it to be a contraction of two winters:, for it is applied to
them not as soon as calved, but when, if they were calved in
winter, they are two winters old.

Dr. Loveday had a letter, about six weeks ago, from Dr.

[The (Estrus bovis is commonly known in many parts of England by
the name " breeze." This is derived from the A.-S. « briose," which had
originally a similar signification. The additional term "worry" refers,
)f course, to its effect upon cattle when attacked by it. Of the Word
" hyant " I can find no trace.— T. B.l

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 217

Chandler, still at Rolle, but talking of moving, but yet, if
possible, more unsettled in his plans than ever. You mention
jack-daws building in rabbit-burrows. It is not equally extra-
ordinary, but perhaps you may not know that they build in
Elden hole, a perpendicular aperture in a rock, about 90 yards
deep, in Derbyshire. I did not take any of their nests, nor,
indeed, did I see any; but I heard them chattering most
loquaciously, and perhaps "disturbed their ancient solitary
reign," by throwing stones into their little kingdom, when 1
was in Derbyshire about 5 years ago. I go to town on
Saturday and return the Monday se'nnight. I shall probably
hear of you in Fleet Street, and in a short time, I hope
(though I am unreasonable to expect it), be favoured with a
letter. You will be so good as to remember me with my best
wishes and respects to Mr. T. White, who, I understand, is
now with you, as also to Mr. Edm. White &c.

I am, dear Sir,
Your sincere and much obliged humble servant,

R. CHURTON.

Dr. Bostock has gained a Chancery suit and another son.
Remember me to Miss Reeve when she calls next.

LETTER XIX.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.

Seleburne, Dec. 4, 1789.

DEAR SIR,

THO' Oxford appears to my timid apprehensions to recede
every year farther and farther from Selborne ; yet to you,
who are in the prime and vigour of life, Selborne ought not
to be one inch more removed from Oxford than when I first
knew you : therefore we shall depend much on seeing you at
Xtmass as usual. I have much to say to you : for surely we
live in a most eventful and portentous period ; when wars,
devastations, revolutions, and insurrections crowd so fast upon

218 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

the back of one another, that a thinking mind cannot but
suppose that providence has some great work in hand ! But
of all these strange commotions, the sudden overthrow of the
French despotic monarchy is the most wonderful — a fabrick
which has been now erecting for near two centuries, and
whose foundations were laid so deep, that one would have
supposed it might have lasted for ages to come : yet it is
gone, as it were, in a moment !!

These troubles naturally put me in mind of Dr. Chandler,
who, the last time we heard of him, was at Brussels, in a most
uncomfortable situation, having his baggage seized and his
papers tumbled about, for which he was in great concern. A
man of his resolution and address, and who, by his long
voyage to the Levant, has, as it were, been inured to dangers
and difficulties, might by himself make his way thro' all the
misrule and uproar that prevail in all the provinces of the
Netherlands: but the case is very different where a man has a
wife and infant to protect and take care of ; and therefore I
heartily wish that he and family were safe at home. My
account of our visit from Miss Reeve, who paid us a great
compliment and did us much honour, I knew would make
you and Mrs. Ventris smile : I could tell you also, if I had a
mind, of a great honour received from Lady Coterel Dormer.
You are very kind in taking the trouble, amidst all yr busy
hours, of enlarging my index : when I had carryed it to its
present bulk, I desisted out of pure modesty, thinking I
should swell the vol. unreasonably; but, to say the truth, when
I showed it to my Bro. he expressed a wish that it had been
fuller: it was then too late.

Your worry bree is undoubtedly a corruption of breeze or
breese, a synonymous word with the gad-fly, well known to
naturalists : as to liyant, we know nothing of the term, or of
the distemper intended thereby. When I was at Elden hole
I remember to have seen daws flying from out that horrible
and tremendous chasm. These birds, thought I, are wise in
their generation: for here they may breed uninterrupted from
age to age, since the most roguish boys dare not interrupt
their ancient inaccessible kingdom.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 219

Are you a Whiteist; or a Badcockist? for I hear every
man in Oxford must be one or the other. 1 can tell you how
you may do Edmd White a good office. When he and wife
were in Oxford, last summer, they quartered at the Bear-inn,
where they left behind them the first vol. of the first edition of
Diltys prose elegant extracts : it is a very odd-shaped vol. in
4to, somewhat like a music book. If you could recover this
book, it would be received with thanks.

Mrs. J. Wh. and I join in respects to you and James Etty;
and in best wishes to Mr. Ventris, who, we hope, is re-
covering his health and strength very fast. When does Bp.
W. Smith, yr founder, appear ? We long to see you a bio-
grapher, and to read the result of your painful and curious
enquiries.

Yr obliged and humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

When you write, present my respects to Dr. Loveday and
Dr. Townson. How I wish that we had such a man as either
of them living at Selborne !

LETTER XX.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, Dec. 13, 1789.

DEAR SIR,

YOUR excellent letter deserves a much better answer than I
have time or ability to honour it with. But I can assure you
of one thing, which you, in your kindness to your friends, will
be glad to hear of. I depended upon having the pleasure,
V.D., of spending my Christmas at Selborne before your
obliging invitation arrived, and on that account declined Dr.
Loveday's invitation to pass the holidays at Williamscot,
where, however, I hope to be for two nights towards the latter
part of this week, and then, after speaking twenty pounds

220 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

worth of Latin on St. Thomas's day, and eating mince pies
with the Principal, to set off for Reading, Tuesday the 22nd,
and proceed for Selborne next day. So far so good. But
this is not all. I inquired for the volume left at the Bear ;
and it is no discredit to the house that the book was found
safe in a drawer in the bar, and is now safe in my room
waiting to be put up in my portmanteau. Dr. Chandler, wife
and son arrived at Clapham about a week ago safe and well,
as you will probably have heard by some means or other
before this reaches you. Alas ! I have only found time to
read, and with much satisfaction, the History of Selborne, but
not to do much in enlarging the Index. However the loss is
less material as Dr. Loveday has already or will soon under-
take it, and do it effectually. Marvellous indeed is the state
of things on the Continent, and when and how good order
and good government will be restored is far beyond my ken.
But an all-wise Providence, which can controul the madness
of the people, superintends the whole, and seems, as you justly
remark, to have some great work in hand. I did not know
till you told me that the " fatherlanders," as the papers call
them, seized Dr. Chandler's portmanteaus ; and I was afraid
they were lost through negligence. I hope they were re-
stored ; but I have not positively heard so. I shall be glad
to learn the particulars of the honour received from Lady
Coterel Dormer, and other matters, ex ore tuo. And among
these I am curious to hear more about worry-breese and
hyant ; for if the distemper known in Cheshire by the latter
name never visits Hampshire, the reason is well worth en-
quiring after. I scarcely know whether to call myself a
" Whiteist " or " Badcockist." The pamphlet of Dr. Gabriel
I think clearly shews that considerable assistance was re-
ceived, but by no means ascertains the degree. In my own
notion the Professor * would do well to state fairly and ex-
plicitly what was composed by Mr. Badcock, and what by
himself; and there are also some circumstances in his be-
haviour respecting the note which should be stated in a more

* [White was Professor of Chemistry at Oxford. He was -no relation
of Gilbert White's.— T. B.]

AND THE REV. R. OHURTON. 221

favourable way to his character, if they can consistently with
truth.

Bishop Smith sends his compliments and thanks you for
your kind enquiries; but he says he shall not "walk the town
numbering good intellects " till next winter. His biographer
has lately had so much unavoidable business on his hands
respecting the living that he has had no time to talk with the
dead. I am, dear Sir,

Your very sincere and obliged humble servant,

R. CHURTON.

LETTER XXI.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, April 1, 1790.
DEAR SIR,

I AM just returned from a short visit at Williamscot, whence
I fully purposed writing to you ; but yesterday, which was to
have been the day for that friendly office, I was totally
disabled by a bad headach, and the effects of it are far from
being gone at present. But expected business made my
return indispensable; and, now I am here, lest this memorable
day should lose its honour, the previous arrival of another
fellow made my presence unnecessary. However, let me
discharge my debt to you as well as I can; for if I wait
longer, you will perhaps be on your way hither before this
can reach Selborne. Dr. Loveday and all his family are very
well. He desires his best respects to you, and had a hearty
laugh at the excellent parody of the " young idea," which I
had forgot to mention when I was there before for two nights.
The presents were wrapped and directed at Fletcher's shop ;
but yours, it seems, was spelt by some " unlettered muse." I
gave them a list of names with proper orthography. Your
little niece had a happy escape from a perilous situation. I
remember being astonished at Mr. Warton's remark which

222 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

you quote, where he says " Milton had a very bad ear." As
to such lines as that you cite (" Shoots invisible virtues ") I
think they were studiously rough, slow, or redundant, though
I do not pretend to determine the exact reason of each, or
undertake to justify them. But, as you justly observe, " his
manly melodies cannot but charm the judicious reader."
And if smoothness is required, Pope himself, with all his
polishing, has no lines more smooth and flowing than the
inimitable passage where he describes " smooth Adonis from
his native rock run[ning] purple to the sea." And the
numbers and pauses are so charmingly varied that they
"bring no satiety." I have not heard who is the author of
the e Village Curate.' I think Mr. Crabbe wrote on some such
subject ; but of him I know but little, only I have heard his
poetry commended. I thank you for your intelligence about
Dr. Chandler, from whom Dr. Loveday and myself hear almost
as often as when he was at Rolle or at Rome. I am the more
surprised at his not writing to me as I sent him some papers
to Fleet Street about W. of Wainfleet, which he should have
told me he had received safe. I am glad you are likely to
have him for your neighbour during the summer; and I hope
your fine views will make him cease to languish for Switzer-
land or Italy. I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you
here next week. My motions are a little uncertain. My
immediate senior is going on Monday to look at Stoke
Bruern near Towcester, which his senior has declined accept-
ing, and he wants me to go with him ; but it is cold sport
looking at a living one is not sure of ; and, to say the truth, I
do not at present wish for the option, as I wish to finish the
lives of our Founders before I accept a living from their
society ; and I have at present only written about four score
quarto pages of the bishop's life, and not yet translated him to
his second Bishopric. Excuse a shabby letter. Present my
best respects to Mrs. J. White and to the family at Newton.
I am, Dear Sir,

Your very sincere and most obliged servant,

B. CHUETON.

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 223

LETTER XXII.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, Oct. 5, ] 792.
DEAR SIR,

I TAKE the opportunity of enclosing, in a packet to Dr.
Chandler, the two papers which I promised you, one of them
the epitaph of Mr. Ray, the other the extract from Aristotle
about the Caprimulgus, to which I have added a passage
about swallows in Italy that I thought you would like to see.
Mr. Armetriding, Rector of Steeple Aston, is a naturalist, and
as I called there, driven by stress of weather, on my way
from Williamscot, we were talking about the said Capri-
mulgus, and he took down Mr. Pennant and seemed to think
that Dor-hawk was one of the best names there given to this
bird. For other news of no great moment, I refer you to Dr.
Chandler's letter. I hope you are quite well, and beg my
best regards to Mrs. J. White.

Do you agree with Mr. A[rthur] Young about Lunar
years ? that every nineteenth is in its general features of wet,
dry, &c. very similar ? This Mr. Armetriding shewed me in
Mr. Young's annals, where, from some minutes of the nine-
teenth year backward from the present, it appears that that
also was extremely rainy. I have heard the same remark of
the Lunar Cycle before. I am, Dear Sir,

Your sincere humble servant,

R. CHURTON.

The following are the passages referred to in the above letter enclosed
to Dr. Chandler : —

[Ray was born at Black-Notley, in the county of Essex, in the year
1628, and died in the same place early in the year 1705. " He was buried
(according to his own desire) in the church of that parish, where a monu-
ment is erected to him." The epitaph is too long for insertion here m
extenso. It commences with the following words : —

224 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

'Eruditissimi viri Johannis Raij, A.M.

Quicqiiid mortale fuit,
Hoc in angusto tumalo reconditum est.

At Scripta

Non una continet Regio :
Et Fama undequaque celeberrima

Vetat mori."
It concludes

f( Sic bene latuit, bene vixit Vir beatus,
Quern Prsesens ./Etas colit, Postera mirabitur."

See the ' Memorials of Ray/ edited by the late Dr. Lankester, including
Dr. Derham's ' Remains and Life of Ray.' Printed for the Ray Society,
1846.— T. B.]

Extract from Dr. Townsorfs Journal of his Tour into Italy, fyc.
1768, 1769.

"May 27 (1769), to Frescati [from Rome] 14 m.j about half way is
Pontano, famous for a good dairy and belonging to the Borghese family.
Here it was that Mr. Morison, once dining in the farmhouse in the large
room swarming with swallows, was desired not to disturb them, because
they cut the air and rendered it wholesome, as the people of the family
alledged to him."

6 8e KaXovpevos aiyo&rjXrjs €O~TI p.ev opeivoS) TO de peyedos KOTTVCpov pev
fiiKpco /iet£o>i>, KOKKvyos 6' €\aTT(ov. TiKT€i p.ev ovv coa Svo T] Tpia TO TrXetcrroi/,
TO Se rjOos eo~Ti /3Xa<tKos*. 6r)\a£ei de Tas aiyas Trpoo-TreTopevos' 66ev K.CLI
Tovvop eiXrjfpe. (pao-i 8', orav 6r)\acr7j TOP pao-dov a.7roo~(3evvvo-6ai re, KCU TTJV
aiya a7roTV(p\ovo~6ai' GO~TL 8' OVK O^VCHTTOS rrjs rjfjiepas, aXXa TTJS VVKTOS jSXevret.

ABISTOT. Hist. Animal. 1. ix. cap. xxx.

Quern caprimulgum appellant, avis rnontana est, magnitudine paulo
major quam merula, minor quam cuculus, moribus mollior. Parit ova
duo, aut tria cum plurima. Sugit caprarum ubera advolans, unde nonien
accepit. Cum suxerit, uber extingui, capramque excsecari aiunt. Parum
clare interdiu videt, sed noctu perspicax est.

* The Latin translator, meaning, I suppose, to express this clause, has
"moribus mollior," and introduces it as if it followed " eXarrojy," a paulo
major quam merula, minor quam cuculus, moribus mollior," which may
be true : but besides the deranging of the text, which is the same in
other editions, I fear this is not the sense of the Greek j for /SXajaKos seems
rather an impeachment of the understanding than an encomium on the
gentleness of our friend the Caprimulgus. And yet r)0os, again, belongs

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 225

P.S. Mr. Lewis has often seen the Caprimulgus\ and behold
he said " It was & foolish bird." Here is your rjOos (B\aiciKos
again ; and it is a curious coincidence of opinion with our
friend the Stagyrite, whose works certainly our friend the
Bank Director never read. The ground of this notion I leave
to your better discernment to account for. I will only pro-
pose one query. Does it appear foolish to English eyes, as
it did anciently to Grecian, because it hovers about, and if
put up, soon lights again, and does not wisely consult for its
own safety by distant flight? *

LETTER XXIII.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.

Selborne, Nov. 15, 1792.
DEAR SIR,

As your own account of the bad state of your health, written
to Dr. Chandler, gave us much concern, so in proportion
your late cheerful letter to Mrs. Chandler afforded us no
small satisfaction. I sit down now to invite you to spend
part of your Xtmass holidays with us. But as yr usual time
of vacation, when divided into two parts, will be little or
nothing, we hope you will be able to extend yr furlow. You
have of late years paid me a compliment for varying my

rather to the qualities of the heart than those of the head. Judicent eriir-
diti\. For the rest, exclusive of the fabulous account of sucking goats and
drying up their milk, &c., the author seems to give in a few words some
very characteristic traits of the bird described. But here I ain the
rhetorician teaching Hannibal the art of war.

* [It entirely depends upon the time of day when it is observed —
stolid and stupid in the day time, bright and active in the evening, as
stated above by Aristotle. See Letter XXII. to Pennant and note
(Vol. I, p. 65).— T. B.]

t [Aubert and Wimmer translate the expression " und hat ein scheues
Wesen."— A. N.]

VOL. II. Q

226 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

phrases of invitation : but all those terms of words are ex-
hausted, and I have now nothing left but the plain, honest
assertion of wishing to see you, as often and as long as you
can make it agreeable and convenient to yourself.

I return you my best thanks for your quotation from
Aristotle, of which I hope to avail myself soon ; and for a
correct copy of the inscription on the tomb of the great Mr.
Ray. It is pleasant to hear that friends to Genius are still to
be found, who, at periods, are ready to repair and beautify the
monument of departed worth, nor suffering it to be effaced
with weeds and filth. However his ivorks will be, as the
inscription says, the most lasting monument of his fame.
Every time you come, I have been provided with a new book
for your inspection. In some respects you will think Mr.
Arthur Young's Journey in France reprehensible ; and will
not always subscribe to his politics. However the writer is a
man of observation, and has a curious chapter on Climate.
In three summers he threaded every corner of that vast king-
dom, and made an excursion thro' the Pyrenees to Barcelona,
and another over the Alps and Apennine to Turin, Venice,
Florence, &c. Mr. Y., I fear, is no friend to us parsons.
Mr. Marsham has just sent me a long letter; but he complains
of infirmities. Mrs. J. Wh. joins in good wishes; and desires
respects to the provost, when you see him ; and to the Cox
family, Dr. JSTowell, &c. &c. With all due regard I remain,

Yours affectionately,

GIL. WHITE.

Take care of your health, and don't study too hard. When
the shell of yr House is compleat, insure it. A friend of
mine at Salisbury has just had a house, not quite finished,
burnt to the ground. It was to have cost 4000 !

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 227

LETTER XXIV.

FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, Jan. 23, 1793.

SUCCESS to matrimony ! and Caprimulgus. My friend and
tutor Dr. Radcliffe is married. Mr. John White is married :
and- 1 cordially congratulate Mrs. J. White on the occasion,
as well as yourself on having another agreeable addition to
the small number you before had of nephews and nieces.
My friend Mr. Banner, I think I perceive, will certainly take
Dudcote, if no better living falls during his option. Powerful
are female attractions and engagements ! However, the living
is more desirable than he expected. I wished to write sooner
but could not ; and now have scarcely a moment to spare ;
and tomorrow I must go about my buildings and enclosures
at Middleton. Dr. Loveday's family were well recovered
from the measles. The Provost of Oriel and Mrs. Everleigh
and daughter were very well when I drank tea there on
Sunday. Mrs. Cox is very well. Mr. Cox when I called was
in bed with a cold and gout, but not an unkindly fit. Mr.
Yentris somewhat better, but not perfectly well. You perhaps
have heard of me in London from Fleet Street. I slipt into
the pit to see his Majesty &c. in the Theatre, where I never
had seen them before. We were all loyalty. " God save the
King " twice after the play and twice after the entertainment.
" Rule Britannia " twice. The Queen sang, the King beat
time, £c.

The alien bill gives great content in London. There was
lately a report that poor Mr. Page was dying, and a canvass
out of the university began for the Speaker and Sir W. Scott,
Dr. Wenman having declined. Should there be a vacancy I
hope you will think of one who, besides having been my
brother pupil and class fellow — potent recommendations — is
universally esteemed as the best Speaker the H. of Commons
ever had.

Q2

228 OOERESPONDENOE OF GILBERT WHITE

I have seen or dreamt (I hope not the latter) that Ld
Malmsbury is descended from a daughter of Rob1 Townson,
Bp of Salisbury. But I cannot find it in any peerage here ;
and I wrote to Fleet Street; neither can they find it. If it is
in your peerage I shall be very glad if you will inform me of
it. I want to have it in a note which is or should be now set
for the first proof. When I saw it I neglected it, not know-
ing I should want it, or thinking I could turn to it again; but
it is gone. Such a treacherous thing is memory, or mine at
least. I hope your cold is entirely gone and you are in
perfect health, of which I earnestly wish you long enjoyment,
and of every other blessing, and am with compte at the
vicarage, Dear Sir,

Your ever obliged servant,

R. CHURTON.

LETTER XXV.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON.
(Endorsed by Mr. Churton, " The last from my dear Friend.")

Selborne, Jan. 26, 1793.

DEAR SIR,

HAD you staid only one day longer with us, you would have
seen J. White and his bride, late Miss Louisa Neave, who,
having been married at Downton near Sarum by Mr. Lear,
set off immediately for this place. W"e have good reason to
be pleased with our new relation, who is sensible, intelligent,
and in her carriage much of a gentlewoman. She is a nice
needlewoman and also a proficient in music, and can shoulder
a violin, out of which she brings a good tone, but could find
no one to accompany her. Tho' her husband is in stature
one of the sons of Anak, yet he has made choice of a little
wife, who, we all agree, in her profile resembles Miss Reb.
Chace, but exceeds her in her make and turn of person.

I am much obliged to you for the latin translation of the
Caprimidgus, which will be useful, but have lost my advocate

AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 229

with the R.S. ; for on my applying to Mr. Barrington, who
used to present my papers, he writes me word that he has no
longer any interest with that society, but that he will endea-
vour to find a member that shall present my dissertation.
This circumstance, as you may imagine, is not so pleasant as
when I had a friend who was often one of the Council, and
ready to abet my compositions.

There is, indeed, a curious coincidence of opinions between
Mr. Lewis and the Stagyrite ! for which I cannot advance a
better reason than what you have mentioned yourself. Yet
can I not call that a foolish bird which knows the times- and
the seasons, and conducts its migrations over seas and conti-
nents with such accuracy and success, and, impelled by all
the feelings of crropyr] and affection, is ready to repell intru-
ders, and by menaces to defend to the best of its power its
callow and helpless young !

I have told you sometimes of an old physician at SouthtSn,
Dr. Speed, who used to go over once every year, in May, to
the Isle of Wight, for which period the people used to reserve
their ails. For these last two winters my coughs have been
kept till yr arrival, and then became so bad that without your
kind assistance I could not have continued my duty. When
you left me I had some dread about the ensuing Sunday ; but,
thanks be to God, my infirmity ceased on the Saturday, and
has not been bad since. As soon as yr letter came we turned
to my peerage book, but could find no traces respecting Lord
Malmsbury; so I conclude that his creation was subsequent*.
'Possibly before now you may have recovered yr stray idea,
that has wandered away, or lay snug in some corner of yr
memory.

Mrs. J. Wh. joins in best respects and wishes to you and
all friends.

Yours sincerely,

GIL. WHITE.

Sad work in France ! !

* [" The Earl's ancestor, James Harris, Esq., ol the Close, in Salisbury,
married Gertrude, dr of Robert Townson, Bishop of Salisbury, and died
1679, aged 74."—Debrett. The creation dates only from 1788.— T. B.]

230 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE REV. R. CHURTON.
LETTER XXVI.

FKOM ME. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE.

Brasen-Nose, Mar. 15, 1793.

DEAR SIR,

DR. LOVEDAY has robbed me of the pleasure of making you
a present of a book lately published here, to which we are
jointly in different ways contributors. I hope you will have
received your copy from Fleet Street, attended with one from
Dr. Chandler, before this reaches you. And now let me can-
vass you for the author of the Village Curate. Mount your
steed — not immediately though, but next Michaelmas — and
assist in putting the Professorship of Poetry in hands worthy
to be employed where Lowth and Warton have appeared be-
fore. At the same time, please to inform Dr. Chandler that
he owes me a letter, and that he must get Dr. Bingham and
every vote he can for a gentleman of his own college. The
Trinity gentlemen, Mr. Clarke and Kett, have each secured
some votes in our college and elsewhere by starting so early ;
but we are at least two to one in Br.-Nose friends to Mr.
Hurdis (or his merits rather, for we were not acquainted with
him), and several active in his cause.

I am very glad you are so well pleased with your neice.
Mr. Armetriding is just married to a Lancashire lady, about
the size of her you mention ; but there is not one of our
Northamptonshire rectors married, nor, I fear, going to be.
The house at Middleton has begun, or is about to begin, to
rise, after having stood still during the winter.

Best respects to all friends.

I am ever, with truest esteem, dear Sir,

Your most obliged servant,

R. CHURTON.

231

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS

LETTER I.

FROM THE REV. JOHN LIGHTFOOT * TO GILBERT WHITE.

Uxbridge, Jan. 27, 1773.
DEAR SIR,

I KNOW not how to excuse myself for not answering your kind
letter before, when I tell you that I returned to Uxbridge from
my northern tour the 24th of Octob., now a quarter of a year
ago. I had a most agreeable journey, and experienced all the
varieties from venison down to barley bannocks, and from
claret down to whisky, and from a good feather bed to one of
heath with a plaid for a covering. We visited sixteen of the
Western Islands, and the greatest part of the continent on the
western coast from Annandale to the borders of Strathnavern
in Sutherland, which is 58' 20" north, where the snow was
lying on the mountains in August. The red deer inhabited
the summits of these mountains, and the roebucks the birch

* [The Rev. John Lightfoot was a well- known botanist. He accom-
panied Pennant in his second tour in Scotland in 1772, and afterwards
published his ( Flora Scotica,' in 2 volumes 8vo, in 1785. He was a
Fellow of the Royal Society and one of the founders of the Linnean
Society. He officiated at Uxbridge for many years, and died there in
1783.— T. B.

Lightfoot is also known as the first who clearly distinguished the Reed-
Wren, which he described (Phil. Trans. Ixxv. p. 11) by the name of Mo-
tacilla arundmacea. This epithet, having been already applied by Lin-
naeus to a species strictly congeneric, has had to be dropped, and the bird
now bears the name of Acrocephalus strcperus. — A. N. J

232 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

woods at their base. The ptarmigans are seen as tame as
pigeons among the grey barren rocks, and the black and red
game swarm upon the heaths, and the eagles descend from
the precipices and prey upon them all. The Saxifraga nivalis,
stellaris, aizoides, and oppositifolia, with the Arbutus alpina,
Hieracum alpinum, Cucubalus acaulis, Sibbaldia procumbens,
and Azalea procumbens, Cherleria, and some others are the
herbage of the Scottish Alps. The Arbutus uva-ursi covers
the inferior rocks, and the Narthecium ossifragum with the
Juncus and heath tribe cover the low grounds. This may
serve to give you a faint idea of the country of Scotland to-
wards the northern extremity. In many parts of the Low-
lands, especially near Edinburgh, great improvements are
made in agriculture, and in many places, as in the Lothians
and the Carse of Gowrie, the country is as fertile as in Eng-
land. In other places, where the soil will permit, the inhabi-
tants are making large strides towards improvements. The
people every where, from the duke to the peasant, are ex-
tremely hospitable and kind to strangers ; so that a recom-
mendation to one gentleman will frank a traveller all through
Scotland. I am now employed in making out a Scotch Flora,
to be annexed to a Fauna of the country by my companion,
Mr. Pennant. I shall be glad to have it in my power to comply
wth yr obliging invitation to Selborne ; but I cannot now say
when I shall be able to enjoy that happiness.

The bee which frequents the Stachys, from the account Mr.
Yalden has given me of it, must be the Apis manicata, from
the spines at its tail.

I am Sr wtb great respect,

Your most obed* hble serv*,

JOHN LIGHTFOOT.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

LETTER II.

FROM THE REV. JOHN LIGHTFOOT TO GILBERT WHITE.

Uxbridge, Sept. 13, 1773.
DEAR SIR,

I HAVE this summer, in company with Mr. Banks, been
making the tour of North and South Wales. I set out in
June, and am but lately returned ; this will apologize for my
not acknowledging your obliging letter sooner. I owe you
many thanks for your repeated and most friendly invitations ;
but I know not how we have affronted the Fates that they
will not suffer us to have an interview. This summer I have
no chance of seeing Hampshire, having enough to tye me by
the leg for many months to come. I flatter myself, however,
that I shall yet have it in my power to visit Selborne again,
and bilk these troublesome Fates, that have so often come be-
tween us, which I shall be heartily glad to do, as I hate to be
cheated by such jilts. I hope you are of the same mind as
myself, and will endeavour to return them the compliment by
trying your luck at Uxbridge. I met with our friend Skin-
ner at Brecnock in the beginning of August. He talked of
paying a visit to his brother at Purley near Reading, about
Michaelmas. He uses little exercise, and suffers much from
the gout.

The Dodecatheon meadia is an elegant plant, and singular
in its appearance ; it is a native of Virginia and Carolina, and
was first named meadia by Mr. Catesby in compliment to Dr.
Mead ; but Linnaeus, finding afterwards the old name of Do-
decatheon made use of by Pliny for a plant agreeing in de-
scription very nearly with this, chose to adopt the ancient
name for the generic, and retain the known received name for
the trivial, according to a rule laid down in the ' Critica Bo-
tanica.'

Wales in general behaved to us with great politeness. We
had fine weather through the whole journey ; we found the

234 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

greatest hospitality, a multitude of plants, and five or six not
before discovered in South Britain, though I had before seen
them in Scotland. Snowdon was very complaisant; three
times we scaled his highest top, once enveloped so in clouds
that we could not discern each other at twenty yards' dis-
tance ; but no sooner had we refreshed ourselves with our
necessary viaticum than the clouds withdrew, and gradually
discovered to our wondering eyes the most glorious prospects
we ever beheld. The clouds all settled about the midway on
one side of the hill, appearing like great volumes of snow in
various grotesque figures, one behind another. The sun
tinged their edges with silver, and darting his rays now and
then between them discovered the rugged precipices, the lim-
pid lakes, the trembling cascades, and distant vallies beneath
us. Over them appeared the British Alps, the Irish Sea, and
coast of Ireland, almost all North Wales ; the coasts of Lan-
cashire and Cumberland, with the Islands of Anglesea and
Man, appeared at one view, like a great map spread beneath
us. In short, we seemed as if we had been snatched up into
the clouds, and were taking a peep on the little world below.
I am, with great respect,

Yr most obliged and hble servf,

JOHN LIGHTFOOT.

LETTEK III.

FROM ME. SKINNER TO GILBERT WHITE.

(Extract.)

Purley, Berks, Oct. 17, 1773.
DEAR SIR,

In July last I spent an evening with Mr. Banks *
and Mr. Lightfoot at Brecknock. They had been botanizing
from Bristol through the counties of Glamorgan, Carmarthen,

* [This was a year after Banks's visit to Iceland with Solander, Lind,
and Von Troil.— T. B.]

MISCELLANEOUS LETTEKS. 235

and Pembroke, and had been very successful. In the envi-
rons of St. Vincent's Rock only (visited by every botanist)
they found three new British plants (one of these the Arbutus
uva-ursi), and afterwards several others that were either new
or very dubious, as not having been found by the botanists of
the present age. Among the former Sison verticillatum, a
common plant in the meadows of Carmarthenshire ; among
the latter Cheiranthus sinuatus, Adiantum capillus-veneris, and
a species of Festuca unknown to Linnaeus, but figured in
Bay's l Synopsis,' tab. 17. fig. 2, vide p. 403, with several
others I do not immediately recollect. They were bound to
Snowdon, in the neighbourhood of which they proposed to
spend five or six weeks. I have not heard of their success ;
but as Lightfoot had with great accuracy collected the names
and places of the curious plants they hoped to find from Ray
and others, I presume the journey, which was new to both of
them, has not been thrown away. You have, I believe, seen
Lightfoot since his Scotch tour with Mr. Pennant, and of
course have heard that he discovered many plants that had
escaped the Scottish botanists.

The last advice I had of Linnaeus was from Mr. Banks,
to whom he had written but a little before, with a good deal
of chagrin, for not having sent him the specimens of the South
Sea plants he had promised him. He said " He was an old
man, and that if it was intended he should ever see them, the
sooner they were sent the better." Mr. Banks thought he
was well.

I am, with great esteem,

Your obliged friend, &c.,

R. SKINNER.

236 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

LETTER IV.

Easton Grey, near Tedbury,

Gloucestershire, May 21, 1789.

SIR,

ALTHOUGH I have not the pleasure of being personally ac-
quainted with you, yet I flatter myself you will pardon this
intrusion of an enthusiastic naturalist.

I have been greatly entertained by your ' Natural History
of Selborne,' in the ornithological part of which I find
mention made of three distinct species of willow-wren. Can
you inform me if they are (besides the common) the larger
and lesser pettychaps of Latham, neither of which is de-
scribed by Pennant in his ' Brit. Zool.' ? He describes a
species with the inside of the mouth red, which I cannot
make out in this country ; those two of Latham's I believe I
have got, as far as I can judge from the description that
gentleman favoured me with; but his sedge- wren I am at a loss
for, as he describes the sedge-bird besides of the ' Brit. Zool.'
I should esteem it a particular favour, if you have it in your
power, if you will favour me with the weight and description
of the two uncommon willow-wrens.

I was induced to take this liberty as you say you are a
field-naturalist, and perhaps may have it in your power to
assist me in my present pursuit. I am collecting and pre-
serving the birds and their eggs of these parts, a provincial

* [George Montagu was born in 1755, and died June 20, 1815. At the
time of his writing this letter he must have been collecting the infor-
mation which he afterwards published in his ' Ornithological Dictionary.'
The Lady Jane Courtney (or Oourtenay) subsequently mentioned in the
letter was his mother-in-law, whose daughter he married when he had
completed his eighteenth year. Lady Jane was sister to Lord Bute, First
Lord of the Treasury on the accession of King George III. See the
memoir of Montagu, by Mr. Cunnington, in the < Wiltshire Magazine '
for 1857^(vol. iii. pp. 87-94).— A. N.j

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 237

undertaking, in which I am got forward; and as those of
Hampshire and Wiltshire are nearly congenial (the coast
excepted), some species, I presume, are more frequently met
with about you than with us: will you excuse my mentioning
a few that, should they fall in your way, you will confer a
considerable obligation on me by favouring me with them ?
The hawks and owls are difficult to get: of the former I want
all except the sparrow, kestrel, and common buzzard ; of the
latter all the eared and the little owl. The great butcher-bird
and wood-chat, goat-sucker, cross-bill, aberdevine or siskin,
and spotted gallinule, with many cloven and web-footed water-
birds, together with any of their eggs ; and as you mention
snipes and teals having bred near you, their eggs would be
highly acceptable, with others not common which you may be
able to obtain. And in return, Sir, if there is anything in my
former or future researches that can afford you any satis-
faction, I shall with the greatest pleasure communicate.

That amiable and excellent naturalist, Mr. Pennant, has
done me the honour to say I have discovered some things to
him he was not before acquainted with ; and I flatter myself
I have other notes in store when I have more time to write to
him more largely upon the subject: this you know is the
busy season for a naturalist, and the days are not half long
enough for me.

A fine morning called me from this, and in my walk my
ears discovered a note I had never before heard. I pursued
it into the thick of a wood, and after much difficulty killed
the bird as it was delivering its song (if I may so call it)
from the branch of an oak tree. It proved to be a willow-
wren ; its note was very different from any I had ever heard
before, somewhat resembling a note of the blue titmouse. It
was continued without variety, like the grasshopper-lark, but
not quite so quick or shrill, nor of so long duration ; between
each song the pause was considerable. The note I confess
has staggered me ; but its appearance, size, &c. discover
nothing new. The common willow-wren, I well know, has
two very distinct songs. The first after their arrival, before
they are paired, I considered as their love-call; the other their

238 MISCELLANEOUS LETTEKS.

soft courting or amatory song. As to shades of colour or
size, this species varies considerably : that of the male is
much brighter and stronger than the female, and is consider-
ably larger, and even in the same sex there is frequently a
visible difference. I last year killed a male and female
together when the former was in pursuit of the latter, on her
first arrival in the spring (as I suppose you know all our male
migrating birds precede the female in their vernal visit) : in
these the great disparity in weight and difference in colour
would have puzzled exceedingly, had I not, some time before
the barbarous act was committed, paid attention to the ad-
dresses of the male. I confess I am not acquainted with the
one you describe with the primaries and secondaries tip't with
white; and if you are still of opinion that it is a distinct
species, I should be obliged to you for it. If you should
favour me with any small bird at this season, it will be
advisable to wrap it up in soft paper sprinkled or damp'd
with vinegar, first laying the feathers smooth, and then
covered with thicker paper wetted with the same ; this will
preserve the bird moist, and defy putrifaction. Larger birds
should be carefully opened with a sharp knife from the vent
upwards, laying the feathers back with damp paper to prevent
their being blooded in taking out the intestines ; a little alum
or nitre should be thrown in, and the incision stopped with
tow ; and if a little of the alum and tow were put into the
mouth it would ensure its coming to me in good order. If
you have any conveyance to Bath, and you will take the
trouble of directing either a box or basket for me to the care
of the Right Hon. Lady Jane Courtney, Milsom Street, Bath,
I shall get it the day after it arrives there. Notwithstanding
my post town is in Gloucestershire, I live in Wiltshire, where
I shall be happy to obey any commands from you, and
remain, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

G. MONTAGU.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 239

LETTER V.

FROM LIEUT.-COL. MONTAGU TO GILBERT WHITE.

Easton Grey, June 29, 1789.
DEAR SIR,

I AM exceedingly obliged to you for yr polite favor, and hope
you will excuse the mistake in my address.

I am not able to boast of being an ornithologist so long as
you, tho' I have delighted in it from infancy, and, was I not
bound by conjugal attachment, should like to ride my hobby
to distant parts; yet I agree with you that naturalists in
general attempt to explore too wide a field, their researches
are too extensive ; whereas if persons well qualified were to
confine themselves to particular districts, the natural history
compiled from provincial authors would no doubt throw much
light on the subject.

I confess myself greatly obliged to your work for the dis-
covery of the third species of willow-wren, and for the first
determined separation of the other two species, with whom I
was perfectly well acquainted as to their notes, but suspected
that the same bird might produce both notes promiscuously.
Your work produced in me fresh ardour, and with that degree
of enthusiasm necessary to such investigations ; I pervaded
the interior recesses of the thickest woods, and spread my re-
searches to every place within my reach that seemed likely.
I was soon convinced of two distinct species, not only in their
song, but in size, colour, eggs, and materials which wh they
build their nests. The third species, which you seem to think
peculiar to your beech-wood, I flatter myself I have at last
discovered to be an inhabitant of this part; but they are very
scarce and partial. Three only have I discovered; two of
which I brought down with my gun from the top of tall oak-
trees in a thick grove interspersed with brambles. From the
reiterated note, somewhat resembling the blue titmouse, and
their colour being more vivid than the other species, I do not

240 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

hesitate to pronounce it that discovered by you, tho' mine did
not possess any white on the tips of the quills or secondary
feathers ; but the belly was of a pure white, and the action of
its wings agrees with your description : besides the note it
commonly uses, which is somewhat grasshopper-like, it pro-
duces a shrill note five or six times repeated, something like
the marsh titmouse. One pair of these birds I only know of
about this neighbourhood now, the nest of which I have not
been fortunate enough to discover; if one should come across
you it would be an acquisition to me. You are perfectly
right in saying the name of willow wren is very inadequate.
I wish you had given them distinct names, as I believe you
have the merit of the original discovery. I am surprized
Pennant makes no mention of these acquisitions to ornitho-
logy, as your letter of the 17th of Aug* 1768 long preceded
his last edition. Do you know if Latham has adopted them
in his t Systema Ornithologiae,' which is to come before the
publick next winter? I am at a loss for your blue pigeon-
hawkj especially as you say its female is brown ; from its place
of resort I should conceive it to be the hen harrier, and that
you had not corrected the mistake of other ornithologists, and
which Pennant fell into in his first edn, where he gave the
ring tail for its female. Their habits and manners are nearly
the same, only the latter perch on trees occasionally ; its white
rump at once distinguishes it from all others when skimming
over the surface of the earth like the hen harrier : it makes
its nest on the ground. Both these species we have, but not
preserved, not having been able to procure them, being scarce
and shy. Perhaps I may be favoured with them from you, as
well as their eggs, another season, if not this. If yr pigeon-
hawk should be different, I should be obliged to you for further
explanation, as I am not acquainted with it by that name.

The Hobby which I want has been called the blue hawk by
some : its eggs I should be glad of, and are no doubt to be
found in yr extensive woodlands ; they are scarce with us.

You were surprized at my requesting of you the Goat-
sucker. 'Tis true many parts of this county produce them,
but they are not to be commanded ; and one bird in the spring

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 241

or before Aug1 is worth twenty after that time, as most birds
are then out of feather, and the young ones are seldom in full
or proper plumage till the winter, and many till the ensuing
spring. In the latter end of October birds have mostly done
moulting and are again fit for preservation ; however, scarce
birds are at all times acceptable, till a better supplies its place.
Since I wrote I have killed the male Goatsucker ; and as I
have seen a female, it is probable I may get it, but the egg I
despair of in this part.
I remain, dr Sir,
Your much obliged and faithful humble servant,

G. MONTAGU.

LETTER VI.

FROM GILBERT WHITE TO JOSEPH BANKS, ESQ.

Selborne, April 21, 1768,
Sill,

LEST you should suspect that I forget my promise, I take the
liberty to acquaint you that either the unusual dryness of last
month, or some unknown cause, has retarded the blowing of
the Lathrcea squammaria* ; it does not yet appear above ground
as usual. When it had appeared I should not have failed to
have sent you a specimen in a pot, with the Coleoptera its
constant attendants ; but now I find last night, by a letter of
Mr. Pennant, dated from Chester, that you are going to leave
the kingdom again in pursuit of natural knowledge.

I was greatly in hopes once that both you gentlemen would
have honoured me with your company this spring ; but now
it seems that unless Mr. Skinner of C.C.C. should happen to
come (as he has partly promised), I must plod on by myself,
with few books and no soul to communicate my doubts or
discoveries to.

* [This plant has grown in a garden in the village within the last few
years, and appears to have been parasitic upon the roots of plum-trees. —
T. B.]

VOL. II. R

242 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

The district round this village is, I believe, a fine field for
botany ; we have great variety of aspects and soils, and many
rocky lanes for capillaries ; not to mention chalky hills, sands,
boo*s, clavs, and vast woods. Here are moors that have

O ' <j '

hardly been trodden by the foot of a real botanist, where I
should suspect some rare matters may be discovered. As to
summer birds of passage, we have a good variety. I think
I can shew 16 or 17 species round the village, among which
are three species of the Motacillce trochili. The vast large
bats are beginning to appear, some of which I shall endeavour
to procure.

After wishing you all health and a great deal of success and
satisfaction in your laudable pursuits, a prosperous voyage
and safe return,

I remain, &c., &c.

[This letter is printed from a copy in Gilbert's writing, but without
signature. — T. B.]

CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT MARSHAM,

OF STRATTOX-STRAWLESS, IN THE COUNTY OF NORFOLK,

AND GILBERT WHITE.

[AMONG the numerous letters to and from Gilbert White
kindly communicated to me by Algernon Holt White, Esq.,
were ten from Mr. Marsham ; and it happened that exactly
the same number of autograph letters from Gilbert White to
Marsham, constituting together very nearly the complete cor-
respondence, were in the possession of the Rev. H. P. Mar-
slium, of Rippon Hall, near Norwich, the great-grandson of
White's correspondent. The interchange of copies of the re-
spective letters enabled the Council of an excellent local
natural-history society at Norwich * to publish the correspon-
dence entire. I have selected the following brief notice of
Mr. Marsham from some account of his life by Thomas South-
well, Esq., the secretary of the society. — T. B.

" Though far less celebrated than his contemporary and
correspondent, Robert Marsham is already known to most
readers of White's posthumously published writings as one to
whose opinions the latter often referred in terms of respect.
Born the 27th of January, 1708, Marsham began to show
early in life a fondness for arboriculture. On the 8th of
February, 1728, he entered as Fellow-commoner of Clare
Hall in the University of Cambridge, but it does not appear
that he ever proceeded to a degree. He subsequently went
abroad (in 1737 and 1738) and travelled through France,
Switzerland, and Italy, amassing much knowledge, which
* [The Norfolk aud Norwich Naturalists' Society.]

R 2

244 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

he was able to apply in various ways in after time. He
succeeded to his father's estate of Stratton-Strawless, some
seven miles north of Norwich, in 1751, and from that period
he seems to have travelled much in England, particularly
where any remarkable trees were to be seen, and, as these
letters prove, he became acquainted with many of the most
eminent men of his day. Arboriculture was evidently his
ruling passion, and he delighted in making experiments in
the growth of trees, the results of which he communicated

O J

from time to time to the t Philosophical Transactions ' of the
Royal Society, of which he was elected a Fellow on the 9th
of June, 1780, and admitted on the 31st of May, 1781. He
died on September 4th, 1797.

" The i Indications of Spring,' of which he left such a
remarkable register, afforded him annually recurring topics
for remark; and the value of his observations on rural subjects
may be well estimated by White's exclamation : — ' 0, that I
had known you forty years ago ! ' '

LETTER L

MABSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton, near Norwich, July 24, 1790,

SIR,

I HAVE received so much pleasure and information from your
ingenious Nat. Hist, of Selborne, that i cannot deny myself
the honest satisfaction of offering you my thanks : & i hope
you will excuse the liberty that i have taken. — I have kept a
poor imperfect journal above 50 years ; but it has been
chiefly confined to the leafing and growth of Trees ; & was
undertaken by the advice of my most estimable friend the late
Dr Hales. By that i find that Linnaeus's Disciples, & their
followers, are mistaken in their supposed rule of Nature, that
all plants must follow in order. For you see by the Indica-

* [With the permission of Professor Newton, I have selected many of
his notes from the copy published by the Society. — T. B.]

AND ROBERT MABSHAM. 245

tions of Spring in the last Yol. of the Phil. Trans, which, very-
imperfect as it is, the R. S. did me the honour to print, there
are reverses of many days.

Sir, i was much pleased with your Poetry in the Sumr
Evening walk. — I hope you will excuse my asking you some
questions for my information. The copulation of Frogs as
you describe *, is the manner of Toads with us : & i never saw-
Frogs so engaged.

By your account of the Swallows on the 29 of Sep. 1768, i
presume that you believe in their migrating : & there are very
strong reasons to believe so of some other Birds. Many
Woodcocks are found by the Light-houses in Norfolke in the
Autumn, that are kill'd by flying against the Lights : and the
Earl of Orford f informed me, that the Landgrave of Hesse
sent him a ring taken from the leg of an Heron, with Ld. 0.
name upon it. This is certain proof of the Heron's going
from England : & myself have seen (coming from Holland) a
Wagtail (Motacilla alba) flying about the Ship, seemingly at
ease, when out of sight of Land. These, without Admiral
Wager's if, Adanson's §, & Smith's || (the earliest account that
i can recollect in print), are sufficient for migration : & the
proofs for torpidity are also undoubted. So we may conclude

* [See Letter XVII. to- Pennant, Vol. I. p. 50, and note.]

t [George Walpole, grandson of the great Sir Robert, succeeded his
father as third Earl of Orford in 1751, and died in 1791. He was a cele-
brated falconer, but is perhaps better remembered from having sold the
valuable collection of pictures at Houghton to the Czarina. At his death
the title passed to his uncle, the well-known Horace Walpole. — A. N.]

t [The evidence of Admiral Sir Charles Wager, some time First Lord
of the Admiralty, was first published by Collinson in 1760 (Phil. Trans,
li. p. 401), and has been often reprinted. — A. N.]

§ [< Histoire Naturelle de Senegal &c.' Par M. Adanson. Paris : 1757,
pp. 67 and 90. Reference is again made to his observations further on.
They have been frequently quoted. — A. N.]

j| [The reference here is* probably to a passage in ' A Natural History
of Nevis, and the rest of the English Leeward Charibee Islands in America,
&c. In Eleven Letters from the Revd Mr. [William] Smith, &c. Cam-
bridge : 1745.' Writing of Nevis and St. Christopher's, the author says
(p. 51) "at the Sun's declension towards the Tropick of Capricorn from
the Equator, we are visited by a few Swallows." — A. N.]

246 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

they are both true. But the annual increase in the Swallow
tribe, which are lost in Winter, affords unaccountable difficul-
ties to be cleared. I have had 4 pair attending my house
as many years as i can remember. If these produce two
broods of 5 young, you see, Sir, one pair only will in 7 years
produce above half a million, 559870 birds : yet the number
every Spring appears the same. If both broods are destroyed,
surely the old birds would be lessened by accidents, so as to
be perceptible. If the early or the latter brood is preserved,
you see the next Spring Birds will be as 5 to 2, if all the old
Birds are lost : and i never heard that Swallows are increased
in any part of the Globe. We know that all the carnivorous
Birds drive off their young as soon as they are able to provide
for themselves; & i conclude that fish-eating Birds do the
same : for when i was on the charming Lake of Killarny, i
was told that was the case of a pair of Ospreys *, that yearly
nested on an Island of Rock in that Lake. But we cannot
suppose the Swallow tribe can fear the want of provision.
Sr, you know the Fern Owl is one of the Spring Birds, and ap-
pears here as the latest comer. I used to have many in my
Woods ; but since the long and severe W inter of 88 i have
had very few. Is not this a presumptive proof of their tor-
pidity? & that they were destroyed by the severity of that
Season?— Your account of the 26 & 27 of March in 1777 was
felt here in Lat. 52-45°, but no Swallows appeared. The 27th
was insufferably hot, with a S.W. Wind ; which changed in
the afternoon to N.E. with a thick Sea-hase, and my Therm1'
sunk above 20 degrees in 3 or 4 hours. The greatest change
I have ever observed. — I find in 1776 Jan. 31. your Thermr
sunk to 0. mine of Farenh* was at 16. & in 1784 Dec. 10.
when your Dollands was 1. below 0, mine was but at 10. The
coldest Air I have measured was Jan. 19. in 1767. when it

* [The name " Osprey " seerns to have been formerly applied to the
Sea-Eagle (Haliaetus albicillci) as well as to what is now known as the
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus'). Thompson states (Nat. Hist. Ireland, i.
p. 29, note) that no proof of the latter's building either at Killarney or
elsewhere in Ireland had to his knowledge yet been recorded, and it is
therefore likely that the species spoken of in the text was the former. —
A.N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 247

was down to 1. I take the liberty to tell you this, as it pos-
sibly may be entertaining to you to see the difference of less
than 2 Degrees of Lat.

Sir, when you print a 2d Edition, (which the merit of your
Book will certainly soon demand) i hope in your description
of the Holt Forest, you will pay a compliment, justly due, to
the Oak by Ld Stawel's Lodge : as I suppose it is the largest
in this Island. I went from London on purpose to see it
in 1759, and again occasionally in 1778. 'Tis at 7 feet full
34 feet in circumf. & had not gained half an inch in 19 years;
yet i could not see it was hollow. If i measure right i make
14 feet length of the Holt Oak to contain above 1000 feet,
viz. above 320 feet more than the Cowthorpe Oak, which Dr
Hunter, in his Edition of Evelyn's Silva*, calls the largest in
England. I early begun planting, & an Oakef which i
planted in 1720 is at one foot from the earth 12 feet. 6. inches.
0 round; and at 14 feet (the half of the timber length) is
8.2.0. So measuring the bark as timber, gives 116F. J, buyers
measure. Perhaps you never heard of a larger Oake & the
planter living. I flatter myself, that i increased the growth
by washing the stem, & digging a circle as far as i supposed
the roots to extend, & spreading saw-dust, &c. as related in
the Phil. Trans J. — I wish I had begun planting with beeches
(my favourite Trees as well as your's), & i might have seen
large trees of my own raising. But i did not begin Beeches
'till 1741, & then by seed ; & my largest is now, at 5 feet,
6.3.0 round, & spreads a circle of + 20 yards diamr. But

this has been digged round & washed, &c. The last Winter

was so very mild with us, that the leaves of many of my very
young Oaks preserved their green into April, & a large Haw-
thorn (headed the proceeding year) has its old leaves now :
which i never observed before, in any deciduous trees : tho'

* [' Silva : or, a Discourse of Forest-trees, &c. By John Evelyn. With
notes by A. Hunter.' New Ed., 2 vols. 4to, York : 1780 ; vol. ii. p. 197.
The Cowthorpe Oak grew on an estate belonging to Lady Stourton, and
an engraving of it is given by Hunter, who introduces his notice of it by
a reference to "My ingenious friend Mr. Marsham." — A. N.]

t [See Vol. I. p. 407.]

| [Vol. Ixvii. p. 12.— A. N.]

248 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

I once had a second leafing of a Hawthorn about Xmass.
But those leaves faded before Spring. I sent the account to
Sr J. Pringle when P.R.S.*, but he thought it not strange.
Sir, if you do not take the Ph. Trans, if you please i will send
you a copy of my Indicans of Spring, as it may be an amuse-
ment to you, to see how much later we are in Norfolk than
you are in Hampshire, I am, with great esteem,
Sir, your most obedient,

humble servant,

K: MARSHAM.

P.S. I have now in a Stack of Blocks a young Cuckow fed
by a water- Wagtail.

LETTER II.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborne: near Alton: Hants,

Aug: 13th: 1790.

GOOD SIR,

As an author I have derived much satisfaction from your
kind & communicative letter ; and am glad to hear that my
book has found it's way into Norfolk, & that it has fallen into
the hands of so intelligent and candid a reader as Yourself,
whose good word may contribute to make it better known in
those parts. I am glad that You happened to mention your
most estimable friend the late Dr. Steven Hales ; because he
was also my most valuable friend, and in former days near
neighbour during the summer months. For tho' his usual
abode was at Teddington ; yet did he for many years reside
for about two months at his rectory of Faringdon, which is
only two miles from hence ; & was well known to my Grand-
father and Father, as well as to myself. If I might presume
to say that what you see respecting the copulation of toads is,
I think, a mistake, you will pardon my boldness : because the

* [Sir John Pringle, President of the Royal Society, 1772-1778.—

A. N.]

AND ROBERT MAR3IIAM. 240

amours carryed on in pools and wet ditches in the spring time
are performed by/rog's, which are more black and bloated at
that season than afterwards. As to toads they seem to be
more reserved in their intrigues.

With regard to the annual encrease of swallows, & that those
that return bear no manner of proportion to those that depart ;
it is a subject so strange, that it will be best for me to say
little. I suppose that nature, ever provident, intends the vast
encrease as a balance to some great devastations to which they
may be liable either in their emigrations or winter retreats.
Our swifts have been gone about a week ! but the other hi-
rundines have sent forth their first broods in vast abundance ;
& are now busied in the rearing of a second family. Myself
& visitors have often paid due attention to the oak in the Holt,
which ought indeed to have been noticed in my book, and
especially as it contains some account of that forest. You
have been an early planter indeed ! & may safely say, I should
think, that no man living can boast of so large an oak of his
own planting! As I had reason to suppose that actual mea-
surement would give me the best Idea of yr tree, I first took
the girth of my biggest oak, a single tree, age not known, in
the midst of my meadow : when tho' it carries a head that
measures 24 yards three ways in diameter, yet is the circum-
ference of the stem only 10 ft. 6 in. I then measured an oak,
standing singly in a Gent's outlet at about two miles distance,
& found it exactly the dimensions of your's. After such suc-
cess you may well say with Virgil,

" Et dubitant homines severe, atque irnpendere curas ? "

In an humble way I have been an early planter myself.
The time of planting, and growth of my trees are as follows.
Oak in 1731 — 4 ft. 5 in. Ash in 1731—4 ft, 6£ in. Spruce
fir in 1751—5 ft, 0 in. Beech in 1751—4 ft. 0 in. Elm in
1750—5 ft. 3 in. Lime in 1756, 5 ft, 5 in.* Beeches with

* [A more particular account of these trees, with a note on their
present condition, will be found at p. 468 of Vol. I. I am sorry to luive
to add that the fine spruce was, on the 20th of February of this \> -,T
(1877) , blown down, being uprooted in consequence of the softening of the
soil by the long-continued rains. — T. B.]

250 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WIIIJE

m

us, the most lovely of all forest trees, thrive wonderfully on
steep, sloping grounds, whether they be chalk, or free stone.
I am in possession myself of a beechen steep grove on the
free stone, that I am persuaded would please your judicious
eye ; in which there is a tree that measures 50 feet without
bough or fork, and 24 feet beyond the fork : there are many
as tall. I speak from long observation when I assert, that
beechen groves to a warm aspect grow one-third faster than
those that face to the N. & N.E., and the bark is much more
clean and smooth. About thirty or forty years ago the
oaks in this neighbourhood were much admired, viz., in Hart-
ley wood, at Temple, & Blackmoor *. At the last place, the
owner, a very ancient Yeoman, thro' a blameable partiality,
let his trees stand till they were red-hearted & white-hearted 3
or 4 feet up the stem. We have some old edible chest-nut-
trees in this neighbourhood ; but they make vile timber, being
always shakey, & sometimes cup-shakey f .

As you seem to know the Fern-owl, or Churn-owl, or Eve-
jar ; I shall send you, for your amusement, the following ac-
count of that curious, nocturnal, migratory bird J. The country
people here have a notion that the Fern-owl, which they also
call Puckeridge, is very injurious to weanling calves by in-
flicting, as it strikes at them, the fatal distemper known to
cow-leeches by the name of puckeridge. Thus does this harm-
less, illfated bird fall under a double imputation, which it by
no means deserves ; — in Italy of sucking the teats of goats,
where it is called Caprirmdgus ; & with us, of communicating
a deadly disorder to cattle. But the truth of the matter is,
the malady above mentioned is occasioned by a dipterous in-
sect called the cestrus bovis, which lays it's eggs along the
backs of kine, where the maggots, when hatched, eat their
way thro' the hide of the beast into it's flesh, & grow to a large
size. I have just talked with a man, who says, he has been
employed, more than once, in stripping calves that had dyed

* [See Letter I. to Pennant, Vol. I. p. 4.]

t [See the observations on chestnut timber, Vol. I. p. 471. — T. B.]
| [This subject is fully treated of in the li Observations on Birds/'
Vol. I. p. 439, and in a letter to Mr. Churton, Vol. II. p. 213.— T. B.]

AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 251

of the puckeridge : that the ail, or complaint, lay along the
chine, where the flesh was much swelled, & filled with puru-
lent matter. Once myself I saw a large, rough maggot of
this sort squeezed out of the back of a cow. An intelligent
friend informs me that the disease along the chines of calves,
or rather the maggots that cause them, are called by the gra-
ziers in Cheshire worry brees, & a single one worry bree. No
doubt they mean a breese, or breeze, the name for the gad-fly, or
f/-x/ /•//*, the parent of these maggots, which lays it's eggs along
the backs of kino.

But to return to the fern-owl. The least attention & ob-
servation would convince men that these poor birds neither
injure the goat-herd nor the grazier; but that they are per-
fectly harmless, & subsist alone on night-moths & beetles ;
& thro' the month of July mostly on the scarabceus solstitialis,
the small tree-beetle, which in many districts flies and abounds
at that season. Those that we have opened have always had
their craws stuffed with large night-moths & pieces of chafers :
nor does it any wise appear, how they can, weak & unarmed
as they are, inflict any malady on kine, unless they possess
the powers of animal magnetism, & can affect them by flutter-
ing over them. Upon recollection it must have been at your
house that the amiable Mr. Stillingfleet kept his Calendar of
Flora in 1755. Similar pursuits make intimate & lasting
friendship. As I do not take in the R. S. T. I will with
pleasure accept of your present of a copy of yr Indications of
Spring. Hoping that your benevolence will pardon the un-
reasonable length of this letter, on which I look back with some
contrition, I remain, with true esteem, Your most humble
servant,

GIL. WHITE.

Any farther correspondence will be deemed an honour.

262 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

LETTER III.

MABSHAM TO WHITE

Stratton near Norwich.

Aug. 31. -90.

SIR,

I AM much obliged to you for your entertaining & instruct-
ing letter ; & pleased to find that you was acquainted
with Dr Hales : and i believe all men that knew him es-
teemed him. I have had the good fortune to know most of
his family.

Sir, i conclude that you are right, & that i was mistaken
about the amours of the toad : but so are my acquaintance
also. Frogs, you know, generally leap or jump ; now the
people we talk of, only walk or creep ; and i thought that i
had particularly observed their swelled bellies. But if i
should live to another Spring, i will examine them with more
care. — With respect to the measures of your Trees, i hope we
take them at the same height from the Earth, viz. 5 feet, and
then your's and my Trees are nearly equal. Your Oak, I see,
gains about 9 tenths of an inch yearly for 58 years, and mine
the same in the Grove: but one transplanted from that Grove
(which was sowed Acorns in 1719,) gains above 14 tenths, as
it was last Autumn 8 F. 3 I. when the largest in yr Grove is
but 5 F. 3 I. Such is the benefit of transplanting ! or
perhaps, to speak honestly, the giving as much room as the
Tree requires. — I am surprised that your Trees can increase
so fast in chalky or stony soil. But perhaps your charming
Beech of 50 feet to the head was not of your own planting.
I wish i could get a peep at it, & make my bow to you ; but
all the pleasure of rambling is ended with me ; I having
been lame now near two years, & not once out of the Village
in that time. For i have a stony complaint also, which keeps
me from a carriage. — Mr. Drake has a charming Grove of

AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 253

cb in Backinghamshire*, where the handsomest Tree (us i
was informed by a friend to be depended on) runs 75 feet
clear, & tben about 35 feet more in tbe head. I went on
purpose to see it. 'Tis only 6 F. 6 I. round, but straight as
possible. Some Beeches in my late worthy friend Mr.
Naylor'sf Park of Hurstmonceaux in Sussex, ran taller &
much larger ; but none so handsome. — Norfolk is too flat a
Country to try the difference of the growth of Trees on ye
cold or warm sides of hills ; but i entirely agree with you in
the great advantage of warmth. This County is very un-
genial to Elms, which are generally hollow before they are a
foot square, & Ash does not thrive with me. I have left off
planting Chesnuts ; but they grow quick, and, i conclude, to
the largest size of any Tree in this Island. I have one i
raised from the nut, which was 2 feet round at 55 high in
1781. 'Tis a very handsome plant, & holds clear above eleven
yards, with a fair head. I have seen several Chesnut-trees
above ten yards round ; & Lord Ducie's } i measured above
15 yards ; which i conclude is the greatest. But i find they

* [Probably at Shardeloes, near Amersham. — A. N.]
f [Francis Hare (son of a Bishop of Chichester) was born in 1713, and
assumed the name of Naylor in 1 734, on succeeding to the estate of his
uncle George Naylor, who had bought Hurstmonceaux. In his youth he
is said to have been guilty of extravagance and dissipation of every
description, joining the notorious " Medmenham Brotherhood." He died
in 1775, when the estates passed to his half-brother, Robert Hare, whose
grandsons were the accomplished Francis, Augustus, Julius, and Marcus
Hare. Hurstmonceaux Castle was destroyed by Wyatt in 1777, and now
remains a ruin. — A. N.]

\ [This magnificent Spanish chestnut at Tortworth, in Gloucestershire,
has been mentioned by nearly all writers on trees from Evelyn's time to
our own. The particulars of it given in the text a few lines lower down
seem to be taken from Ducarel's paper ('Phil. Trans.' 1771, p. 168),
where they are quoted from the 'London Magazine' for 1758 (p. 482).
A very fair representation of it, taken in 1824, is given by Strutt (* Sylva
Britannica,' pi. xxix.), and Loudon says ('Arboretum Britannicum,'
p. 1988) that " it may, indeed, possibly have been one of those planted by
the Romans." I saw it in August, 1875, and Lord Ducie kindly informs
me that its " present girth is about 17 yards; but each measurement will
vary, as the trunk is covered with ligneous warts, and a tape may either
cover or miss one of these, thus altering its dimensions." — A. N.]

254 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

cannot bear the severe frosts. I had one of this sort, in the
severe Winter of 39-40, split very near half an inch wide,
where i could run a table-knife it's length into the crack: but
this is quite closed ; & covered with bark. To show you the
growth of this kind of Tree, i have a memorandum of a
former Rector of an adjoining Village, "that he planted a
Chesnut Tree by his Church in 1610," which was in Autumn
1788, 19 F. 4 I, or 184 inches in 178 years. I suppose Ld
Ducie's Tree may be 1100 years old, if it increased in the
proportion reasonable for such a vast Tree ; & might be about
eleven yards round in King John's time, as tradition calls
it the great Chesnut at that time. — Stillingfleet was a
very estimable man. I knew him from his first leaving
College. Fortune frowned on him from his birth, 'till near
his end. He used for many years to visit me. His father,
after the Bishop's displeasure, lived on his little Rectory in
Norfolk.

Sir, in your 39th letter to Pennant you ask where the
Stock-dove breeds ? In Norfolk in hollow Trees *. The Fern-
Owl lays its eggs on the plain Land. I think your Country-
men should be punished for laying so heavy a charge against
an innocent Bird. I find a memorandum of mine of so old a
date as Sep. 14. 1722. i shot a ring-Ouzel. This was the first
my father had seen. This shows they are strangers in
Norfolk. But i have seen of them twice since, in severe
frost. You do me honour to accept my Indications of
Spring. To explain to you, i mark leaf, as soon as the
smallest leaf appears ; and i name the County (if not in
Norfolk), as i have observed so near as Hertfordshire, they
are sometimes a week earlier than here. You see 'tis shame-
fully imperfect. — The equal number of the returning Swallows
seems the greatest Mystery, amongst the many Mysteries that
attend them. — Sir, as i live in hopes of sometimes having the
favour of hearing from you, pray never again make an
apology for length ; every Article is pleasing to me : but I

* [Its breeding at Selborne is fully stated in a note on the passage
referred to, Vol. I. p. 96.— T. B.J

AND KOBEUT MA US 1 1 A.M. L'.V,

am unreasonable to wish for so much of your time. I am,
with true esteem, Sir,

your most humble

& obliged servant,

K: MARSHAM.

P.S. I have had the pleasure of recommending your Work
to all my correspondents. — I know no man in your County,
but Mr Chute, the father of your new Member. I con-
gratulate you that Election bustle is over; as i suppose,
during the contest, ye were as inimical as young Cuckows.
I presume you have read Mr Jenner's account of the Cuckow
in the Ph. Trans. Vol. 78*; he handsomely disculpates the
Cuckow of the want of <rropyr). — There is a gentleman in this
County of the name of Gurdon of good fortune f. The
family, i suppose for some centuries, has been owners of a
Village called Letton. They have lately changed the name
for Dillingham. — We have the greatest flight of Swallows i
think i have ever seen at this time. I heard ^.Q flying note of
the Fern-Owl on Aug. 20.

* [See note to Letter IV. to Barrington, Vol. I. p. 123.— T. B.]
t [This remark doubtless has reference to the notice of Sir Adam
Gurdon in the * Antiquities of Selborne ' (Letters VIII. and IX.). Mr.
Gurdon of Letton, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1789, added to his own
surname that of his mother, daughter and heiress of Theophilus Dilling-
Lam, of Shelton, Beds., and died in 1820. He was succeeded by his son,
who dropped the second surname. According to Sir Bernard Burke
(' Landed Gentry '), the Gurdons of Letton are descended from Robert
Gurdon (who died in 1343), the second and disinherited son of the above-
named Sir Adam by his second wife Alrueria or Ameria. — A. N.

Gilbert White states positively and repeatedly that Gurdon had no
son, and that Amelia's sons were by her second husband (Vol. I. p. 308).
— T. B.]

256 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

LETTER IV.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton near Norwich. Dec. 29. 90,

DEAR SIR,

IT was not for want of inclination, but want of matter, that i
did not offer you my hearty thanks for the favour of your
very entertaining letter of the 12th of October*. I have very
lately met with some intelligence that may afford you some
amusement, so wish to lay it before you*

As i knew nothing of Mr Jennor's character, & as some of
his history of the Cuckow is extraordinary, i desired my
very estimable friend Lord Suffieldf to enquire that of Mr
Hunter ; he is perfectly satisfied of Jennor's accuracy. He
was his Pupil & lived in his house upwards of four years.
Jennor sent parts of the account of the Cuckow to Mr Hunter
18 months, or more, before they were published. Hunter
has himself repeated some of the experiments, & found them
correct : & this last Summer, he put a Blackbird's egg into a
hedge Sparrow's nest, & left three of her own eggs ; & the
Sparrow hatched them & brought them all up. Mr Hunter
was not perfectly satisfied, that the ejecting the young spar-
rows from the nest was the act of the young Cuckow only,
but suspected some aid of the foster-mother : however she &
the Blackbird let the young Sparrows enjoy their nest quietly.
— Hunter told his Ldp. that he was now making repeated
observations upon a species of the Nightingale sent to him
from Germany, as a song Bird. Accident led him to suspect
that this Bird could (if one may so speak) see clearly in the
dark. His time of frolic is after midnight : he then hops
about the Cage from perch to perch, & from the wires of one

* [This letter is missing. — T. S.]

t [Sir Harbord Harbord, created Lord Suffield 1786/ died 1810,—

N.]

AND KOBERT MA1JS11AM. 257

side to the oilier side. Hunter has changed the Cage, &
altered the places of the perches, & taken every precaution to
vxeln.de every particle of Light; & being shut up in the closet
with the Bird, says, he hears him hop from perch to perch, &
so on without ever seeming to blunder or mistake. He is
almost certain of the fact*. I have transcribed Lord Suf-
field's words that he wrote. — From my own knowledge i can
say but little, only, that on the tenth of last November, a
Swallow laid dead just under the window of the room i live
in ; so we must see it the day it fell : & as the last of my
Swallows appearing, was on the 30 of Sep. this Bird was most
likely in it's torpid state, when some accident removed it.
The tail was short, so i conclude it was of the latter brood.
But although i have had the eaves & roof of my house
searched, no bird can be found. Yet it seems unlikely that
a single Swallow should hide for the winter when they are so
companionable in the Summer, that you very seldom then see
a single bird. So i must conclude others are hid near it.
On the 17th of this month i had Turnip-flowers ; which i find
are earlier than i had seen before. Violets have been in
flower weeks ago. But i have not marked them in my Indi-
cations of Spring. You see, Sir, that i began my work very
lazily with very few articles. I believe the Elm leaves that
you saw at Sunbury on the 20 of Feb. in 1750, were earlier
than any i had seen. I find in my journal in 1738. the Elms
had leaves on the 23 of March N.S. at Genoa; & on my
landing at Antibes the 3d of April, the Rye was in ear. — If it
had been my good fortune to know you 50 years ago, i am
sure i should have been a wiser, & better man : & i hope 'tis
not too late now. — On ye 24th i found a dark Butterfly in my
keeping-room, which led me to my Indications: & rind the
earliest (yellow) Jan. 14 last year. The Season points to me

* [I am not aware of any record of these observations (though doubt-
loss made at the time, according to Hunter's practice) having been
published. From the expression used in the text the bird seems not to
have been the common species of Nightingale (Daulid* Inscinia') ; and if
not, it was doubtless the " Sprosser " (D. philomela) , which is common in
Eastern Germany. — A. N.]

VOL. II. S

258 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

to wish you many more years of health, to enjoy the honest
pleasure resulting from your instructing mankind.

I remain, with great esteem, dear Sir, your obedient

& obliged servant,

E: MARSHAM.

P.S. I think you was poorly paid in 100 shillings for 100
feet of good Elm. The Beeches you mention (tho' hollow) of
30 feet round, are above ten feet larger than i have ever seen.
— 1 had last week an account that there is now in Stonleigh
Park* (amongst abundance of fine Oaks) an Oak 23 F. 11
Inches round at 5 feet. The Tree is sound & in health.

[Franked "by " W. Fellowes;" endorsed by White, " Mr Marsham."]

LETTER V.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborue: Jan. 18th. 1791.

DEAR SIR,

As your long silence gave me some uneasiness lest it should
have been occasioned by indisposition ; so the sight of your
last obliging letter afforded me much satisfaction in pro-
portion.

I was not a little pleased to find that your friend Lord
Suffield corroborated the account of the Cuckoo given by Mr.
Jennor, whose relation of the proceedings of that peculiar bird
is very curious, new, & extraordinary. — It does not appear
from yr letter that you endeavoured to revive the Swallow,
which fell down before y1' parlor-window. — I have not yet
done with trees, & shall therefore add, that my tall 74 f. beech
measures 6 feet in the girth at two feet above the ground.
Beeches seem to me to thrive best on stoney, or chalkey cliffs,
where there seems to be little or no soil. Thus about a mile

* [Stoneleigh near Kenilworth, now the seat of Lord Leigh. — A. N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 250

».V :in half from me to the S.E. in an abrupt field, Stand four
noble beech-trees on the edge of a steep, rocky ravin, or
water-gulley, the biggest of which measures 9 feet 5 inches at
four feet from the ground. Their noble branching heads &
smooth rind show that they are in the highest vigour &
preservation-. Again the vast bloated, pollard, hollow beeches,
mentioned before, stood on the bare, naked end of a chalky
promontory, many of which measured from 20 to 30 feet in
circumference I they were the admiration of all strangers.
How has prevailed the notion that all old London was built
with chestnut ? It is with us now vile timber, porous, shakey,
and fragil, & only fit for the meanest coopery purposes. Yet
have I known it smuggled into Portsmouth dock as good
ship-building oak ! *

The more I observe & take notice of the best Oaks now
remaining in this neighbourhood, the more I am astonished at
the oak which you planted yourself. For there is amost noble
tree of that kind near Hartely house, which I caused to be
measured last week ; when behold, at four feet above the
ground the girth proved to be only 14 feet, when yours
measured 12 ft. 6 in. I Why this fine shafted tree, with it's
majestic head escaped the ax (sic) thirty years ago, when Sr.
Simeon Stuart felled all it's contemporaries, I cannot pretend
to say. If you ever happen to see the Hamadryad of y*
favourite Oak, pray give my respects to her. She must be a
fine venerable old lady. For a diverting story respecting an
Hamadryad, see the Spectator, vol. 8, p. 128.

Behind my house I have got an outlet of seven acres laid
out in walks by my father. As the soil is strong, the hedges,
which are cut-up, are prodigious. The maples about 35 feet
in height, <fe the hasles & whitethorns 20, which, when
feathered to the ground, were beautiful : but they now, being
50 years old, have rather over-stood their time; & besides, the
severity of Decemr 1784 has occasioned irreparable damages
among the branches. Thus much for trees. Lord Stawell f

* See note, p. 266.

t [Henry Stawell Bilson Legge, Lord Stawell, succeeded in 1780 to
the barony conferred upon his mother, and died in 1820. — A. N.]

260 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

has lately sent me such a bird, sprung & shot in his coverts,
as I never saw before, or shall again. I pronounced it to be
a mule, bred between a cock pheasant & a pea-hen*.

You say wood-cocks in their passage strike against light-
houses on yr coast : a Gent, tells me, that at Penzance sea-
fowls frequently dash in the night against windows where
they see a light. — My well is 63 feet in depth ; yet in very
dry seasons, as last autumn, it is nearly exhausted : yet you
would be surprised to see how few inches of rain falling will
replenish it again. How do rains insinuate themselves to
such depths ? The rains this winter have been prodigious !
In Novemr last 7 inches ; in December 6 inches. The whole
rain at Selborne in 1790 was 32 inches. Sure such thunder,
& lightening & winds have never fallen out within your
observation in one winter ! Had I known You 30 years ago,
I should have been much pleased; because I would have gone
to have seen you ; and perhaps You might have been pre-
vailed on, when all our timber was standing, to have returned
the visit. In the year 1746 I lived for six months at Thorney
in the Isle of Ely, to settle an executorship, & dispose of live
stock : there I lost nine oxen by their eating yew, as men-
tioned in my book |- I hope you will write not long hence.
With the truest respect & esteem I remain,

Your most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

The dark butterfly which you saw was the papilio urticce:
it is often more early than the yellow papilio rhamni. At
this moment the Barometer stands somewhat below 28 inches
5 tens! the rain this day has been very great from the S.E. !

* [See " Observations on Birds/' Vol. I. p. 430 and note.— T. B.]
t [Vol. I. p. 292 and note.— T. B.]

AXI) ROBERT MARSH AM. L>01

LETTER VI.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

SelbornerFeb. 2otli : 1791.
DEAR SIR,

IT was elegantly remarked on our common friend, & my
quondam neighbour Doctor Stephen Hales, by one who has
written his character in Latin, that — " scientiam philosophi-
cam usibus humanis famulari jussit." The observation was
just, & the assertion no inconsiderable compliment : for un-
doubtedly speculative enquiries can bear no competition with
practical ones, where the latter profess never to lose sight of
utility.

As I perceive You loved the good old man, I do not know
how I can amuse You better, than by sending you the follow-
ing anecdotes respecting him, some of which may not have
fallen within your observation. His attention to the inside
of Ladies tea-kettles, to observe how far they were incrusted
with stone (tophus lebetinus Linnsoi) that from thence he
might judge of the salubrity of the water of their wells: —
his advising water to be showered down suspicious wells from
the nozle of a garden watering-pot in order to discharge
damps, before men ventured to descend; — his directing air-
holes to be left in the out-walls of ground rooms, to prevent
the rotting of floors & joists ; — his earnest dissuasive to young
people, not to drink their tea scalding hot ; his advice to
water-men at a ferry, how they might best preserve & keep
sound the bottoms or floors of their boats ; — his teaching the
house-wife to place an inverted tea-cup at the bottom of her
pies & tarts to prevent the syrop from boiling over, & to pre-
serve the juice ; — his many tho' unsuccessful attempts to find
an adequate succedaneum for yeast or barm, so difficult to be

262 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

procured in severe winters, & in many lonely situations ; —
his endeavour to destroy insects on wall-fruit-trees by quick-
silver poured into holes bored in their stems ; — & his experi-
ments to dissolve the stone in human bodies, by, as I think,
the juice of onions ; — are a few, among many, of those bene-
volent & useful pursuits on which his mind was constantly
bent. Tho' a man of a Baronet's family, & of one of the best
houses in Kent, yet was his Humility so prevalent, that he
did not disdain the lowest offices, provided they tended to the
good of his fellow creatures. The last act of benevolence in
which I saw him employed was, at his rectory of Faringdon,
the next parish to this, where I found him in the street with
his paint-pot before him, & much busied in painting white
with his own hands the tops of the foot-path posts, that his
neighbours might not be injured by running against them
in the dark. His whole mind seemed replete with experi-
ment, which of course gave a tincture & turn to his conver-
sation, often somewhat peculiar, but always interesting. He
used to lament to my Father, how tedious a task it was to
convince men, that sweet air was better than foul, alluding to
his ventilators : and once told him, with some degree of emo-
tion, that the first time he went on board a ship in harbour at
Portsmouth, the officers were rude to him ; & that he verily
believed he should never have prevailed to have seen his ven-
tilators in use in the royal navy, had not Lord Sandwich *,
then first Lord of the Admiralty, abetted his pursuits in a
liberal manner, and sent him down to the Commissioners of
the dock with letters of recommendation. It should not be
forgotten that our friend, under the patronage of Sir Joseph
Jekyll f ; was instrumental in procuring the Gin-act, & stop-

* [John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, born 1718, three times First Lord
of the Admiralty, and holder of that office during the very eventful
period of Lord North's administration. In his lifetime he was popularly
known by the nickname of "Jemmy Twitcher," from a character in
Gray's l Beggar's Opera/ but is now best remembered by the group of
islands which Cook (whom he greatly encouraged) named after him.
He died in 1792.— A. N.]

t [Sir Joseph Jekyll, born 1C64. An eminent Whig "statesman, and
Master of the Rolls to George I. Died 1738.— A. N.]

AND ROBERT MARS FI AM. 203

ping that profusion of spirituous liquors which threat' ned to
ruin the morals & constitutions of our common people at
once. He used to say, that the hogs of distillers were more
brutal than the hogs of other men ; & that, when drunk they
used to bite pieces out of each other's backs & sides I With
due respects I remain,

Your most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

I did myself the honour of writing to you very lately
about trees, & other matters. This winter continues wet &
mild : wet springs are bad for Selborne. My crocus's make
a fine show.

LETTER VII.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton, March 1, 1791.
DEAR SIR,

I WAS intending to write you my thanks for the favour of
your pleasing letter of the 18th of Jan : but waited for some-
thing to arise that might afford you some pleasure ; when this
day's post brought me the honour of your letter of the 25 of
Feb. Every article relating to that excellent man the late
Dr. Hales, cannot fail of being pleasing to me. I never saw
him towards being angry, but when he talked against Gin.
I think it was first from him that i heard Onions were good
for people suffering with the Stone. I then thought but
little about it : but as i have, for two years past, felt some
painful symptoms of that malady, i often sup on roasted Por-
tugal Onions, and hope i receive benefit from them. — My
good Friend, when you touch upon Trees, you touch my mad
string. My favourite Oak is 12 F. 6 I., but this is at one

264 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

foot from the Earth, and Sr Simeon Stuart's * Oak is 14 feet
at 4 feet from the Earth. The best Oak i have, is 14 F. 2 L±

* [That Sir Simeon Stuart, who owned and occupied the parish of
Hartley Maudit, and who at one time represented the county in Parliament,
was closely associated with the contiguous parish of Selborne, is shown
by the following letter, which was addressed by him " To Mr. White, at
Selebourn ;" to which is added, in another hand, " To be given to the next
vicar." It is remarkable that Gilbert White, the vicar, the grandfather
of the naturalist, had died in February of the same year; and, although
the letter is dated eight months later, Sir Simeon could not even then
have been aware that he had lost his neighbour. — T. B.

" Harteley, Nov. 22, 1727.
" Sm,

" In the last will of my Lady Stuart my Grandmother, there is a
clause hisce verbis. ( I give & devise to ye Ld of ye mannr & the Church
Wardens & Overseers of ye poor of Harteley Maiidytt Com. Southton,
fifty pounds to be laid out by them on the purchase of some land or house
for ye use & intent following, that is to say y* they the then Ld of ye
Mannr Ch WTardns & Overseers of ye poor shall procure an able minister
out of the neighbourhood of ye sd Parish of Harteley every year on ye day
of my Death, to preach a Sermon in y* parish Church on Death, future
Judgement or on the Resurrection from Death. And for the Ministers
pains in so doing to give unto ye sd Minister for so doing 20s, & yt they,
ye sd Ld of the Mannr Ch War & Overseers of ye Poor shall distribute
amongst ye poor people of ye parish of Selebourn and ye poor people of
Harteley that shall then & there be present at Divine Service ye residue
of ye Rent of ye sd Land &c. without any mann1' of Favour & Affection.'
My Lady died Sep. 1699 & there has been an annuall Sermon, & ye
Interest of ye sd money, y* is 50s yearly, distributed according to-ye sd
Will. This present year some considerable time before ye sd Day of my
sd Lady's obit I, as Ld of ye mannr of Harteley, ye Ch: W & Over, did, by
writing under our hands, appoint Mr Long Curate of Greatham to preach
ye sd Sermon on one of yc above texts — wch when he acquainted Mr
Avery therewith, he (Avery) did with some warmth refuse him, that he,
nor no other w* ever should preach in his pulpitt, and y* he would doe it
notwithstanding any appointment of any one — upon wch notice being
given me by ye sd Mr Long I caused ye poor to be made acquainted that
there would be no such Sermon on y* day in Harteley Church as appointed
by yc Testatrix & of the true reason thereof, as well to save ye poor
people coming so far in vain as also to preserve my poor Grandmother's
intention as far as may be — but they were then acquainted that ye sd
money should be distributed in ye sd 2 parishes nevertheless — I was from
home at ye time but on consideration of ye size of ye parishes and of ye
proportions y* used to be had in giving ye sd money, I think it may be as

AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 206

at 5 feet, which is above 19 feet at one foot, and 16 F, 9 I.
at 3 feet. But i lately was told that Mr Archer of Hale near
Downton in Wiltshire has eight Oakes in his park or pastures,
lor which he has been offered eight hundred pounds. This
account is so extraordinary that i wish i knew any man that
lived near the place, that i might enquire the measures of
them. I forget whether i told you of Mr Leigh's Oakes at
Stonleigh Abbey in Warwickshire? The largest is at 5 feet,
23 F. 11 I. in circumfer6.

As the following relates to our favourite Trees (Beech) i
will intrude on your patience with a memorandum of mine
dated May 26. 1752, when i was with my worthy friend Mr
Naylor at his Castle of Hurstmonceux in Sussex, viz. : — " The
" finest Grove of Beeches in the park that i ever saw. One
" felled two years ago ran 81 feet before it headed. I felled
" one an underling very small in the Grove merely to guess
" the height of its neighbours, which was + 62 feet to the
" head. I believe some are above 100 f. high, and run 80, or
" very near, before they head, and i think some are 70 without
" a branch. Some are large & spreading. I measured one
" + 16 F. round at 5 f . a very handsome one +13 f. & an
" extreme handsome one 11 F. 5 I. & ^. the handsomest is
"but 10 F. 6 I. an Arm of one standing single extended
" +20 paces from the trunk." Again in 1767. Some
" Beeches laid felled in the park, one was +72 feet long as
" cut for timber, squared above 2 feet at 24 f. length ; &
" marked 222 feet: a Grove of tall Chesnuts near the
" Beeches from 10 to 12 feet in circumf. at 5 feet." I do not
love the Chestnuts no more than you : they have nothing of
the obedience towards their masters which Beeches show : if

near to Truth and Justice as can be found out, to allott 20s to ye poor of
Selebourn & 10s to ye poor of Harteley, and y* is ye reason yl herewith I
send y° 20s begging ye favour it may be distributed to such & so many
of yr poor as y° shall think fitt & y* were capable & likely to have
editied by yc Sermon had such been preached. * * * I beg yr pardon
lor yr trouble and am Sr

" Yr obedient Serv*.

" SIMEON STUART."]

266 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

you cut off an Arm of Beech, they seldom produce another ;
but an Oak will give you 2 for one, & a Chesnut (in de-
fyance) 5 or more for one. I have this winter had several
favourite Beeches digged round, two spades deep, as far as
the roots extend, in hopes it may promote their growth. But
i do not recommend this as oeconomy. If i can thus gain
half an inch extra, i reckon myself paid the 3 half crowns ex-
pended on the Tree.

My eyes water so much that i am forced to write by in-
stalments, as Bankrupts pay their debts. — The Swallow was
dead, & a wing torn off. — I certainly never remember so much
thunder in a winter as in this, & perhaps not so much wind &
rain. But as i do not measure the rain, i am not certain. —
Tho' the Season has been uncommonly mild, i do not find the
Indications of Spring so early, e.g Snowdrop F. Jan. 16.
Thrush sings Feb. 14. Rooks build Mar. 2 & i have not
heard a Ring-dove coo yet ; but stockdoves on the 23 of Feb.

In my favourite Book, the Nat. Hist, of Selborne, i am
perplexed to find C. Taylor Vicar in 1784, as i thought you
had the Vicarage : and i suppose that your namesake, in
1691, the charitable Vicar was an Ancestor of your's.

I should have gone on with last Winter, & as a strong
proof of its mildness have told you that i have a Hawthorn &
a Hornbeam both headed last year, ye first full leafed & green,
the last, some leaves green. — I forget the authority, but i am
confident i have heard that old London was built of Chest-
nut *. Tho' 'tis apt to be split with frost, 'tis certainly last-
ing Timber, although it grows quick. Perhaps i may have

* [The statement is made by Ducarel (Phil. Trans. Ixi. p. 137, for 1771),
but, as appears by Marsh ani's next letter, he had not seen it there. —
—A. N.]

[The question to what extent chestnut timber formerly took the place
of oak, and how far the material of the roofs of churches, &c., long
supposed to have been constructed of the latter, proves upon more careful
inspection to be of chestnut, has of late years excited considerable
interest. One of the oldest remaining' churches in this country, that of
Greenstead in Essex, still retains its wooden walls entire, and is con-
structed, if I am rightly informed, of this timber. It is believed on good
grounds that it was originally erected as a shrine or resting-place for the

AND ROBERT MARSI1AM. 267

told you before now, that a Chestnut which i raised from the
nut, measures Timber at 55 f. high, & is a very handsome
Tree. I wish i could view your Beech of 74 feet, & your
pleasing outlet: alas! all round me is as flat as round Thor-
ney. I am, with true esteem, my dear Sir, your most humble,

& obliged servant,

K: MARSHAM.

Ld StawelTs bird must be a great curiosity. Mar. 4.

P.S. In 1748 i enclosed above 20 acres of my Waste, &
planted it. The poorest Land with Scotch Firs, & the best
with Beeches, & another part chiefly with Oaks. I wish i
could walk with you about this Wood, as i believe you would
find more variety than you expected. One part of the Beech
are tall Grove, & near that they are short and spreading. The
Oaks also are part tall & part pollards &c. Although i walk
in it most days, yet i am never weary of it ; but when alone
can look, & admire the different beauties of ye different shapes
of ye trees. One Beech already extends its Branches ten
yards from the trunk. I have a Lingstack in it for rest &
shelter, (not half so pretty as your Hermitage), but it takes
the Cathedral of Norwich & 2 Country Churches into view.
— Mar. 5. i have just heard a Ringdove coo, & seen a Haw-
thorn 1. my first Crocus F. was Feb. 10.

[This letter is endorsed by White : — " Did you see any beeches in
Italy? Lombardy Poplars? Chestnuts? Clapham Common." — Me-
moranda of his answer, which is missing, as will be seen by Marsham's
reply.— T. S.]

body of S* Edmund, the King of the East Angles, on its transportation
from the scene of his murder to the place of his sepulture at Bury St.
Edmunds in the year 870.— T. B.]

208 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

LETTER VIII.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton: July 8. 91.

1791.

DEAR SIR,

MY thanks are justly due to you for the favour of your pleas-
ing letter of the 8th of June *. If i am not the wiser for every
letter of yours, 'tis my own fault, or want of memory. In
not seeing Hurstmonceux, you lost not only the sight of the
tall Beeches &c. in the park, but also one of the most entire
old Castles in England. I find by my notes, 'tis 77 of my
steps (suppose yards) long, & 72 deep. & the moat 20 yards
broad. The great staircase 40 feet square, and 22 back stairs,
so like each other, that i chalked my door, to prevent my
going into rooms that i should not ; they being 48 on a floor
as my friend told me. Your letter made me look over my old
journal, which i believe i had not done of 50 years, & i find
no mention of Beeches in Italy; nor does my memory supply
me with any. I remember some in Switzerland near Bern,
that were mixed with Firs, that i think were very tall but not
large. The poplars in Lombardy, are lost to my memory, &
are not mentioned in my journal : but in the public walks by
Florence a part was felled, & i find some were above 100 feet
long, & very slender. I greatly dislike the Tree in England.
I noticed a wood of Oakes betwixt Rome & Naples, being
very tall but not large, and the leaf more indented than ours.
So i send you a leaf.

I am obliged to you for engaging your Nephew at Salis-
bury to gain intelligence of Mr Archer's Oakes: but i believe
'tis unnecessary. A friend was with me lately, to whom i
told the account. He said he had been at Mr Archer's, &
" remembers some Trees by his house, which appeared nothing
" extraordinary; like some of your best." Now my best was

* [This letter is missing.— T. B.]

AND UOP.KUT ICAHSHAtf, 2(59

but 25 guineas. — I got a peep at Mr Rook's sketches of the
Duke of Portland's Oaks*. But i fear he is a bad calculator
of the age of Trees from their size. I have not seen Daines
Barring-ton's controversy with Dr Ducarrel t- But although
I respect Mr Harrington, yet i must see he is too partial to
any opinion that he has adopted, to allow the weight of any
evidence that makes against him. You may remember his
zeal against birds migrating J. The latest bird that i have
noticed appearing here, I mean its first appearance, is the
Fern Owle. I saw one this Spring, May 2. but did not hear
one sing 'till June 14th. I wonder Willoughby says nothing
of their migrating. — I have been much entertained with Mr
Townsend's travels in Spain §. But i must conclude that he
was misinformed when he says that " Nightingales sing all
the year," Vol. 3. p. 45. Your friend that lived in Andalusia,
i doubt not, knew it is not so. With us the song of that
bird is confined to as short a time as any. By the bye, i was
as careful as in my power towards the love-making of the

* [A plate giving " A North West View of the Green Dale Oak near
Welbeck," no doubt one of those to which reference is intended, is given
in Hunter's edition of Evelyn's work (vol. ii. to face p. 200) and bears in
the corner "A. Hooker Sculpsit."— A. N.]

t [In the ' Philosophical Transactions' for 1769 (vol. lix.) is a commu-
nication from Barrington (( On Trees which are supposed to be indigenous
to Great Britain," in the course of which he maintained that the Spanish
Chestnut was not one of them, and controverted the opinion of Ducarel
previously published (Anglo-Norman Antiquities, p. 90) that not only
was old London built of Chestnut-timber, but that there still existed a
large tract of Chestnut Woods near Sittingbourne in Kent. The con-
troversy was continued by Ducarel and others in 1771 (Phil. Trans, vol.
bd. pp. 136-166), and Barrington replied on the whole case (torn. cit.
pp. 167-169). Barrington seems on the whole to have been right (see
Loudon, Arb. Brit, p. 1987).— A. N.]

| [Barrington contributed to the ' Philosophical Transactions ' for 1772
(vol. Ixii. pp. 266-326), "An Essay on the periodical Appearance and
Disappearance of certain Birds at different times of the year." — A. N.]

§ [' A Journey through Spain in the years 1786 and 1787.' By Joseph
Townsend, A.M., Rector of Pewsey, Wilts; and late of Clare-Hall, Cam-
bridge. Second Edition, 3 vols. London : 1792. The author being of
the same college as Marsham was very likely personally known to him.
-A. N.]

270 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

frogs last Spring, and the gentlewoman seemed to be a toad.
She ivalJced not jumped, her belly was the ash colour with
black spots, & the colour of her back like the toad. I am ig-
norant of the characteristic marks of either of yr gentry. I
was pleased long ago with the rows of Oakes by Odiham,
as growing well upon unpromising Land. But i have seen
great Oakes upon absolute sand, viz Ld Thanet's in West-
moreland * was 31 F. 9 I. round in 1765 & Mr Lemon's at
Northaw Herts, whose top was the largest i ever saw : some
arms extended full 60 feet from the trunk, which was 19. feet
7 In. round: i could not omit this in ye paper on ye increase
of Trees in ye Ph. Trans. 1759. We have only the Oak with
the long stalk to the acorn, & the leaf without stalk. I thought
the Oaks in Sussex, & many other Counties more pleasing
trees than in Norfolk; but i did not observe the leaves. I re-
member near Ucfield, in the road from London to Herstmon-
ceux, an Oak with yellow leaves ; which struck me as very
curious, & my good friend Naylor got me some of the acorns,
but none grew. I presume you have noticed this Oakj as i
have heard of another with leaves as yellow as the Elm in
autumn.

In answer to your last Article, i was a young fellow in
1733 when many Counties were inflamed with contested Elec-
tions (when Sr S. Stuart lost his Election by 2 in your
County) & engaged warmly in that new amusement: & drank
& smoked for the Cause, although i relished neither. But old
age, that blunts the edge of all passions & my seeing, accord-
ing to Pope "how like, Whig ministers to Tory," has

cooled my party zeal: & i feel myself satisfied with giving my
vote for a friend, without enquiring about his party. So if
you had asked me my party, i can hardly tell you. But i
will add, that i love the King, & the Constitution, & am dis-
liked by both parties.

Two articles of your letter vex me, viz. that your infirmities

deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you in Norfolk ; the

other, that in naming me, you have struck out the word friend,

& put correspondent. I should have been proud, to be called

* [At Whinfield Park (Loudon, ut supra, p. 1771).— A. N,]

AXD ROBERT MARSHAM. 271

by the Author of the Hist, of Selborne : for i am with
^!( ;it esteem, dear Sir, your most humble

& obliged servant,

R: MARSHAM.

P.S. Although last Winter & the fore-part of Spring were
(i think) the mildest that i remember (except the Earthquake
year 1750), yet I find many articles of Spring later than in
several colder Seasons. I find snow on ye 5th of May. We
li:iv«- had some drying E. wind, but hardly to be called hot.
The begining of June 2 or 3 days the air was thick, in small
degree like what you noticed in 1783. Letter 64. On the last of
June i found my best Oak & best Beech had each increased
an inch, which i find is more than my Trees had done in the
two years measurement, which are in the Ph. Tr. in 1758. so
i hope for a good year's growth : as they have two months
more to grow. The lateral shoots of healthy Beeches are 2
I'-'-t ; & one of the Copper coloured Beech is near 21 inches.

I am with great esteem

Dear Sir your most humble

& obliged servant

R: MARSHAM.

P.S. when i wrote this i hoped for a friend to direct it ; but
no neighbours are come down: & i am ashamed to make you
pay for a leaf. I did not see i had concluded my letter before,
but am too lazy to write it over again ; & hope you will par-
don this, & the many other blunders in an old fellow of 84.

LETTER IX.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborne near Alton :

Decr. 19. 1/91.

DEAR SIR,
YOUR letter, which met me so punctually in London, w;i-

272 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

intelligent^ & so entertaining, as to have merited a better
treatment, & not to have been permitted to have lain so long
unnoticed !

That there is no rule without an exception is an observa-
tion that holds good in Nat. History : for tho' you & I have
often remarked that Swifts leave us in general by the first
week in August: yet I see by my journal of this year, that a
relation of mine had under the eaves of his dwelling house in
a nest a young squab swift, which the dam attended with great
assiduity till September 6th*, — & on Octob1' 22, I discovered
here at Selborne three young 'martins in a nest, which the
dams fed & attended with great affection on to Novemr 1st,
a severe frosty day; when they disappeared: & one was found
dead in a neighbour's garden. The middle of last Septem1'
was a sweet season ! during this lovely weather the congrega-
ting flocks of house martins on the Church & tower were very
beautiful & amusing ! When they flew off all together from
the roof, on any alarm, they quite swarmed in the air. But
they soon settled again in heaps on the shingles ; where preen-
ing their feathers, & lifting up their wings to admit the rays of
the sun, they seemed highly to enjoy the warm situation. Thus
did they spend the heat of the day, preparing for their Mi-
gration, & as it were consulting when & where they are to
go ! The flight about the church consisted chiefly of h. mar-
tins, about 400 in number : but there were other places of
rendezvous about the village, frequented at the same time.
The swallows seem to delight more in holding their assemblies
on trees. Such sights as these fill me with enthusiasm ! &
make me cry out involuntarily,

" Amusive birds ! say where your hid retreat,
When the frost rages, £ the tempests beat! "

We have very great oaks here also on absolute sand. For
over Wolmer forest, at Bramshot place where I visit, I meu-
sur'd last summer three great hollow oaks, which made a very

* [Occasional instances are recorded of the retarded departure of the
swift, such as that mentioned by Gilbert White in this letter j but they
are quite exceptional. See Vol. I. pp. 94, 175, 417. — T. B.]

AND ROBERT MABSHAM. 273

grotesque appearance at the entrance of the avenue, & found
the largest 21 feet in girth at five feet from the ground. The
largest Sycamore in my friend's court measures 13 feet. His
edible chestnuts grow amazingly, but make (for some have
been felled) vile shaky, cupshaky timber. I think the oak
on sands is shaky, as it is also on our rocks, as I know by sad
experience the last time I built. — The indented oaken leaf
which you gather'd between Rome & Naples was the quercus
cerris of LinnaBus. The yellow oak which you saw in Sussex
escaped my notice.

Richard Muliman Trench Chiswell Esq. of Portland Place,
& M.P. tells a friend of mine in town that he has an Elm
in Essex for which he has been bid £100. It is long enough,
he says, to make a keel ungrafted for a man-of-war of the
largest dimensions. As he expressed a desire of correspond-
ing with me, I have written to him, & desired some particu-
lars respecting this amazing tree.

You seem to wonder that Mr. Willughby should not be
aware that the Fern-owl is a summer bird of passage. But
you must remember that those excellent men, Willugliby &
./«'"//, wrote when the ornithology of England, & indeed the
Nat: History was quite in it's infancy. But their efforts were
prodigious ; & indeed they were the Fathers of that delight-
ful study in this kingdom. I have thoughts of sending a paper
to the R. S. respecting the fern-owl ; & seem to think that I
can advance some particulars concerning that peculiar, mi-
gratory, nocturnal bird, that have never been noticed before.
The rain of Octor last was great, but of Novr still more. The
former month produced 6 in. 49 hund. but the latter upwards
of 8 in.: five & J of which fell in one week, viz. from Nov.
18th to the 19th both inclusive! You will, I hope, pardon my
neglect, & write soon. 0, that I had known you forty years ago !
I remain, with great esteem,

Yr most humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.

VOL. II.

274 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

My tortoise was very backward this year in preparing his
Hybernaculum ; & did not retire till towards the beginning
of Decemr. The late great snow hardly reached us, & was
gone at once.

LETTER X.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton, Feb. 12, 1792.

DEAR SIR,

MANY thanks are due to you for your very pleasing & instruct-
ing letter of the 19th of Dec1' but procrastination has prevented
your receiving them. This failing which afflicted me in my
younger days, increases in set. 85 ; & as i have nothing worth
communicating to you, it might safely have continued longer.
Our Winter began early, & was uncommonly severe before
Xmass. From the 8 of Decr, to the 23d was constant frost,
with little snow. The 12th was the coldest, viz. near 10
below friezing point. We here, like you in Hampshire, had
but little snow. 1 had a Woodcock in my house the first of
October.

Your new correspondent's Elm seems to me extraordinary.
You know the keel of a first-rate ship of War is 147 feet
long. This cannot be less than 8 feet round. As Elm is
generally slender in proportion to the height, Mr. Chiswell's
Elm should be at least 200 feet high : viz. near double the
height of the tall Trees of this Island ; credat &c. The tallest
Elms i can recollect are by S* John's Coll. Camb. which i
should think are not much above 100 feet. You know i traced
Mr. Archer's Oakes near Downton, 'till they contracted into
sticks. You may remember, that Dr Hunter in his notes in
his edition of Evelyn's Silva, says that an hundred of Sr Row-
land Wynn's Oakes sold for 5000£ *. This i investigated, by

* [Hunter (op. cit. ii. p. 288), however, says fifty tons for £2500.—
A.N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 275

my good friend Lord Suffield, & find it is true. Two of the
Trees called the Lord & the Lady were valued at 70 Guineas
each. In another note, he says without good authority,
that the Earl of Hertford* fell'd a Wych Elm in his park
in Lisburn (Ireland) that contained 99 tun of timber f.
Being known to his Lordship when abroad, i wrote to him ;
and his Ldp tells me, it was an Oak not Elm, that he did not
fell it, but it fell of itself, in a calm summer day, to his
sorrow. It was sound, the trunk or body was 29 feet long,
& 36 in circumference, which sold for 48£. one piece of the
head for 5£. 10£. for Bark, and 58£. for the rest of the head.
Tot. 12 1£. As we do not know where the circ. was taken,
you see we are left in ignorance: if at 14 f. ^ which should
be, then his Ldp was abominably cheated. Hunter also men-
tions an ash at Leg or Leix in Queens County in Ireland 39
f. round near the ground, and 28 f. at six f. I try'd for an ac-
count of this Tree from my great neighbour the Earl of Bucks J
when he was Lieu*, which not receiving so early as i wished, i
wrote to my old friend Dr Man Bp of Corke. But all i have
gained is, that a print of it was engraving in London. This
i have not seen: & a print without a scale would certainly not
satisfy my curiosity. — Your friends Sycamore is a little larger
than I have seen, and his pollard Oaks are respectable.

I observed nothing remarkable in this Winter but a greater
number of the red-wing Thrush than usual, & have as yet but
Two articles for my Indications of Spring for 92. viz. Snow-
drop F. Jan. 25. & yellow Butterfly this day. Your Rela-
tions Swifts delay was extraordinary. My Swallows left me
Sep. 27. but one was seen within 5 miles on ye last of Octo-
ber.— I shall long for your account of the fern Owl in the Ph.
Trans., as i conclude you can give a better account of that

* [Francis Seymour succeeded his father as Lord Conway in 1732,
was created Earl of Hertford in 1750, and Marquess in 1793. Died in
1796.— A. N.]

f [I have not been able to find Hunter's reference to this tree or to the
Ash presently mentioned. — A. N.]

t [John Hobart, succeeded his father as Earl of Buckinghamshire and
owner of Blickling in Norfolk, in 1750, Ambassador at St. Petersburgh in
1762, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1777, died in 1793.— A. N.]

T2

276 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

harmless pleasing bird than i have seen. We used to have
more of them formerly than of late years. I have never heard
one sing on the wing. I love the Swallows and H. Martins
so well, that i lament the want of their company in Autumn
as heartily & as much as i do the warm weather. I should
have concluded from your Tortoise's late hiding that the winter
would be mild.

I conclude that you have read Boswell's life of Dr Johnson.
A friend of- Dr Home's (late Bp of Norwich) told me, that
his Ldp had read it twice, & was going the 3d time thro' it ;
& said it was the most entertaining Book he ever read. It
made me laugh several times; but the banter upon it,
in the new Lady's Magazine for Sepr last, made me laugh
more heartily. If you love a laugh (which you must do,
as you are a wise man) you cannot fail of it by that
sketch. 'Tis supposed to be by the Author of the Bath
guide*. I took the trouble of transcribing it, in order to
bind it with Boswell, as a Supplement. I presume you have
seen Grilpin's Book of the views in the new Forest f, & no-
ticed his false quotation of Bryden's letter { : where he says
the Chesnut on M. Miua is 204 f. in circumf. which he un-
luckily writes .Diameter: as if the Tree was not large enough !
Townsend says in his travels in Spain, at Valez, Nightin-
gales sing all the year. I wish you would ask your Friend
in Spain, if that is true ?

I know that you do not love Chesnut-trees, but as a good
man you are not averse to hearing of some merit in them.
The great Land-stuard Mr. Kent §, told me 'tother day, that

* [This piece, however, is not included among the poetical works of
Anstey, who wrote 'The New Bath Guide, 'as collected and published by
his son in 1808.— A. N.]

t ['Remarks on Forest Scenery, &c.,' by William Gilpin,' 2 vols.
London: 1791 (vol. i, p. 130).— A. N.]

J [' A Tour through Sicily and Malta. In a series of letters to W.
Beckford, Esq., from P. Brydone, F.R.S.' New Edition. 2 vols. Lon-
don : 1790 (vol. i. p. 119).— A. N.]

§ [Nathaniel Kent, " A well-known and highly respectable land and
timber surveyor " (London, op. cit. p. 1993). The details given in the text
are included by him in a paper (Trans. Soc. Arts, vol. x. p. 31). — A. N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 277

at Mr. Windham's *, removing the place of a gateway, one
post was Oak, the other Chesnut only a foot square, & by the
date on it had stood 50 years. This was sound, & set down
again ; & the Oak was quite rotten. & some years ago, some
railing was done at Mr. Windham's with posts of Oak &
Chesnut (the same size) ; these being moved this year, all those
of Oak were rotten, & all of Chesnut served again. But this
Tree certainly splits more with frost, than Oak ; but must be
excellent for paling. Had Fortune given me your acquaint-
ance 40 years ago, i should have been a great gainer, & you but
little. Be assured dear Sir, that your letters are always a Feast
to me, & that! remain with true esteem your most humble servant

R: MARSHAM.

P.S. As long as i have measured Trees, by way of calcu-
lating their age by their size, i did not attend to the height
from the earth, when i took the circumference : & i find my
friends have been as careless as myself. Whereas an Oak
mostly increases one third more at one foot from the earth,
than it does at 5 feet. Thus, e. g. the Oak i planted in 1720,
is at 5 f. 9 F. 5 I. 7 10'. & at 1 f. is 13 f. & my best Oak at
5 f. is but 14 F. 3 L, which at 1 f. is 19 F. 3 L Now, tho' i
saw my Trees were larger near the earth, i never considered
that they must increase more yearly to make that bulk: & yet
i think when Willoughby was writing on the fern-Owl, he
should have recollected that he did not see that bird in
Winter. But i acknowledge he has done a great deal ; & I
am often obliged to him, for the trouble he has taken.

[This letter is franked by " H. Hobart," and is endorsed
by White, " Mr. Marsham, Feb. 17, 1792."]

* [William Windham of Felbrigg (born 1750, died 1810), for many
years M.P. for Norwich and subsequently for Iligham Ferrers, Chief
Secretary for Ireland (1783), Secretary at War (1794-1801), and Secre-
tary of State for War and the Colonies (1806-1807). The evidence
afforded by the next of Marsham's letters shows that he was recommended
to White's book by Windham, who possibly became acquainted with it
through Daines Barrington, like himself a member of " The Club." In
connexion with the text may also be mentioned London's statement
(op. cit. p. 1990) that one of Windhanvs ancestors was a considerable
planter of Chestnuts. — A. N.]

278 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

LETTER XI.

WHITE TO MAKSHAM.

Selborne : Mar. 20th, 1792.

DEAR SIR,

You, in a mild way, complain a little of Procrastination : but
I, who have suffered all my life long by that evil power, call
her the Dcemon of Procrastination ; & wish that Fuseli, the
grotesque painter in London, who excells in drawing witches,
daemons, incubus's & incantations, was employed in delineating
this ugly hag, which fascinates in some measure the most
determined & resolute of men.

You do not, I find, seem to assent to my story respecting
Mr. Chiswell's elm. There may be probably some misappre-
hension on my side. I will therefore allow Mr. Ch. that
priviledge which every Englishman demands as his right, the
liberty of speaking for himself. " In regard to my tree,"
says he, " it is a Wych Elm, perfectly strait, & fit for the keel
of the largest man of war. The purveyor of the navy offered
my late Uncle £50 for it, altho' it would have cost as much
more to have conveyed it to Portsmouth ; & he would have
run all risque of soundness. It grows about eleven miles
from Safron Walden, in a deep soil, & near 30 from Cam-
bridge, the nearest place for water-carriage. I will measure
it next summer,"— He adds, " I have been, & am a consider-
able planter ; & have been honoured with three gold medals
from the Society of Arts," &c. Thus far Mr. Ch.

As I begin to look upon You as a Selborne man, at least as
one somewhat interested in the concerns of this place; I wish
that You could see " The sixth Report of the Commissioners
appointed to enquire into the state & condition of the Woods,
Forests, &c. of the Crown," &c. This Report was printed
February, 1790; tho' never published: but distributed among
the members of the house of commons from some of whom

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 279

You may borrow it, as I have done. This curious survey will
inform you, from the best authority, of all the circumstances
respecting the advantages, usages, abuses, &c. of our Forest
of Alice Holt, & Wolmer. Here you will see, that the Forest
now consists of 8694 acres, 107 of which are in ponds ; that
the present timber is estimated at £60,000 ; that it is almost
all of a size, & about 100 years old ; that it is shamefully
abused by the neighbouring poor, who lop it, & top it as they
please ; that there is no succession because all the bushes are
destroyed by the commoners around ; that yr old favourite
Oak, the Grindstone Oak, is estimated at 27 loads of timber ;
that the peat cut in Wolmer is prodigious ; in the year 1788
in one walk 942 loads ; & in another walk the same year 423
loads, besides heath, & fern; & in the same year 935,000
turves; &c. &c. &c. Lord Stawell is the Lieutenant, or
Grantee, whose lease expires in 1811, as I have said in my
book. That Nobleman did me the honour to call on me a
morning or two ago, & sat with me two hours : he brought
me a white wood-cock, milk white all over except a few spots.

My friend at Bramshot place, where I measured the great
pollard oaks, & Sycamore last summer, has got a great range
of chesnut-paling ; I shall tell him what Mr. Kent says
respecting timber of that sort. The rain with us in 1791
was 44 in. 93 hund. : upwards of 8 inches of which fell in
November ! the rain of the present year has been consider-
able. Our indications of spring this year are thus : Jan. 19.
winter-aconite blows : Jan. 21. Hepaticas blow. Jan. 29.
Snowdrop blows : 31. Hasels : Feb. 4. Crocus b. : 13. brim-
stone butter-fly; 21. yellow wagtail appears. 26. Humble bee:
March 16. daffodil blows, and Apricot: 19. peaches, •& necta-
rines. I have read BoswelVs Johnson with pleasure. As to
Bishop Home I knew him well for near 40 years : he has
often been at my House. Stillingfleet, I see, wrote his
Calendar of Flora at your house: He speaks in high terms of
the hospitable treatment that he experienced at Stratton.

Wonderful is the regularity observed by nature ! I have
often remarked that the smallest willow wren, (see my Book)
called here the Chif-chaf from it's two loud sharp notes, is

280 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

always the first spring bird of passage, & that it is heard
usually on March 20 : when behold, as I was writing this
very page, my servant looked in at the parlour door, & said
that a neighbour had heard the Chif-ehaf this morning ! !
These are incidents that must make the most indifferent look
on the works of the Creation with wonder !

My old tortoise lies under my laurel-hedge, & seems as yet
to be sunk in profound slumbers. You surprise me, when
You mention yr age : yr neat hand, & accurate language
would make one suppose you were not 50. I remain, with
true esteem,

Yr most obliged servant,

GIL. WHITE.

When Mr. Townsend avers that the Nightingales at Valez
sing the winter thro', I should conclude that he took up that
notion on meer report ; because I had a brother who lived 18
years at Gibraltar, & who has written an accurate Nat. Hist.
of that rock & it's environs. Now he says, that Nightingales
leave Andalusia as regularly towards autumn as other Summer
birds of passage. A pair always breeds in the Govern*'8
garden at the Convent. This Hist, has never been published,
& probably now never will, because the poor author has been
dead some years. There is in his journals such ocular de-
monstration of swallow emigration to & from Barbary at
Spring and fall, as, I know, would delight you much.
There is an Hirundo hiberna, that comes to Gibraltar in Octr,
& departs in March; and abounds in & about the Garrison
the winter thro'.

AND ROBERT MARSH AM. 281

LETTER XII.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton : July 14. 92.

MY DEAR SIR,

AFTER many attempts on my part, at length our inveterate
enemy, Madam Procrastination, has permitted me to offer my
thanks to you for your very pleasing letter of the 20th of
March. As one of 85 years i acknowledge her haggard form;
but half a century ago, she sometimes appeared as a Siren.
So Fuseli may be puzzled, whether he should paint her young
or old.

You oblige me, & i heartily thank you, for looking on me
as a Selborne man. I am certainly a well-wisher wherever
your interest or pleasure is concerned. All the compliment i
can make you in return, is to call a favourite Beech by the
name of Mr White's Beech. You know Linnaeus compli-
mented his friends, by calling new plants after their names.
This is not in my power to do, as i know but few old ones.
But you should know some particulars of your Tree. 'Tis
about 50 years old, & runs clear about 25 feet, then about as
much in handsome head, preserving its stem straight to the
top, & spreads a circle of about 50 feet diameter. This i
reckon the handsomest proportion for an out-side Grove Tree.
For an inside Grove Tree, i should wish the stem longer,
about 2 thirds of the height, & the spread of the head less : &
for the Lawn or single pasture Tree, i wish the branches
should hang so low as only to suffer a man to ride on horse-
back under them ; & the Tree to appear at a little distance
like a green hill. These are my proportions for the beauty of
Trees in different situations. But i will quarrel with no man,
if he likes other proportions better. I presume that Grove of
Oaks called Losels, mentioned in my favourite Book, p. 5. ran

232 OOEEESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

clear stems 4, 5ths of their height: which runs them too like to
hop-poles. And perhaps the venerable Oak which stood in
the Plestor, was the very shape i wish a single Tree to be ! I
remember an Oak of Mr Leman's at North hall in Hertford*
shire, that spread a circle of about 130 feet diameter. And
the Bp of Bath & Wells* informed me, that the Bp of
Salisbury's Oak spread 115 feet in the longest diameter, &
112 in the shortest ; & appeared at a distance a perfect semi-
globe. Although i am much pleas'd with your view of
Selborne, & the description you give of it, yet the great
quantity of rain that falls there, is a strong drawback to the
pleasure of living, above 50 inches in 1782, & last year
almost 45, seems to me very extraordinary; as 'tis above
double what Dr Arbuthnot supposes falls upon the Globe viz.
22 inches. Essay on Air. p. 88. where you find but 19 inches
at Paris. Indeed, when i was last in Scotland (about 6
weeks) it was every day rain, more or less. We had a good
deal of rain last Winter, tho' little laying snow, whilst the
papers spoke of much, both in the North & West. — The
Spring has been very watery, and still continues, to the grief
of the Farmers, for their Hay: & notwithstanding these rains,
i find the season has not been kind to my Trees. All sorts
appear not in good health. My favourite Beeches appear
brown rather than green, from the abundance of Mast, &
very few have as yet increased an inch in circumf. A Cedar
had gained an inch & half on ye 5th but my best Oaks not
above half an inch. For Indications of Spring. Jan. 25
Snowdrop F. ye 29th at Selburne. Jan. 30th Hepatica F. 21st
at Selburne, — Feb. 11 Crocus F. at Selburne. Feb. 4 Crocus
b. Feb. 12 brimston Butterfly, at Selburne Feb. 13. Mar. 21.
Daffodil F. at Selburne Mar. 16. Perhaps my deafness
might deprive my hearing of Spring Birds, but i have heard
hardly any Thrushes this year ; & i heard not the Fern Owl,
'till June 26. Here i must observe with mortification that

* [Charles Moss, Bishop of St. David's, 1766, Bishop of Bath and
Wells, 1776, died 1802. Marshain's communication, before mentioned,
to the Royal Society, on washing trees was in the form of a letter to him.
—A. N.J

AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 283

my Phil. Trans, brought me no account of the fern-Owl,
which i expected from a former letter of your's. — Beech 1.
Ap. 11.— Oak 1. Ap. 13. Swallow Ap. 13. Cuckow Ap. 22.
I put down articles in my Indications of Spring, only from
my own knowledge. But i have often accounts that i fully
believe, e. g. a Swallow this Spring on the first of April. I
should have been glad to have seen the white Woodcock Ld
Stawell gave you ; & i will try to borrow the sixth report of
the Comrs for enquiry &c. I can easily believe great abuses
are practised upon them. I have an old Park (long dis-
parked) formerly belonging to the Crown, & after to the Bp.
of Norwich, & the neighbours steal as much wood from it, as i
gain. — I never heard of a Winter Swallow until you named
it. I should rejoice to read your Brothers Nat. Hist, of the
Rock &c. Pray Sir why do you not publish it ? I should
think it would sell well, as curiosity seems to increase amongst
mankind. — I do not know the Bird you call the Chif-chaf.
But i am filled with wonder by the Harmony and Beauty of
all the Works in the Creation. I remain with true esteem
dear Sir your obedient

& obliged servant,

R: MARSHAM.

A gentleman of my acquaintance in this County had a
tortoise of above 100 years old, from the family account, which
was unluckilly killed by the Gardener. As i find by your
Book, you was formerly a Sportsman, i conclude you love
dogs, so i may tell you an history of a favourite bitch of
mine. I destroyed her first litter of whelps ; her 2d litter she
laid in a secret place. These i also destroyed ; her 3d she
layed in a large cony-burrow over a furlong from the house,
& quite out of sight : could human wisdom do more ? — She
went a hunting with a partner dog, & i chastised them, the
partner first: for every lash i gave it, she cried, as if suffering
herself. When i whipped her, she did not cry once. Was
not this feeling more for her friend than herself? & is not
this a proof of more exalted friendship than you have ever
known in the human race? Dr Leigh says he knew a dog

284 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

starved himself on the death of his Master. See his History
of Cheshire *.

P.S. my friend who recommended to me the Nat. Hist, of
Selborne calld on me this morning & directed my letter.

[Franked by " W. Windham."]

LETTER XIII.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborne: Augst 7. 1792.

DEAR SIR,

WHILE all the young people of this neighbourhood are gone
madding this morning to the great last day's review at Bag-
shot |; I am sitting soberly down to write to my friend in
Norfolk ; almost forgetting, now I am old, the impulse that
young men feel to run after new sights ; & that I myself, in
the year 1756, set-off with a party at two o' the clock in the
morning to see the Hessian troops reviewed on a down near
Winchester J. While I was writing the sentence above, my

* [< The Natural History of Lancashire, Cheshire, &c.' By Charles
Leigh. Oxford : 1700. Folio. Book ii. pp. 8, 9.— A. N.]

t [' The Diary or Woodfall's Register ' for -Wednesday, August 8th,
1792, contains the following paragraphs : —

" Bagshot Camp. Tuesday, Four o'Clock— P.M.

"The spectacle of this day exceeded any public exhibition in this
kingdom. At six at least a hundred thousand persons were upon the
ground. At eight the King and Queen, with the Prince, the Dukes of
York, Richmond, [Commauder-m-Chief], &c., and their attendants. At
nine the Review began in the hollow, below Caesar's Camp. At

one the concourse was so immense, that at least one hundred and fifty
thousand horsemen, (exclusive of the army) were upon the field. The
Pedestrians were innumerable."

********

' l Yesterday being the grand Review of the troops encamped on Bag •
shot Heath, the King went from Windsor in his Post-chaise soon after
Eight o'Clock. * The manreuvres began soon after the King's

arrival, at half-past nine." — A. N.]

| [These were doubtless the forces who have left so ill a name in the

AND ROBERT MARSH A.M. 285

servant, & some neighbours came down from the hill, & told
me that they could not only hear the discharges of the
ordnance & small arms, & see the volumes of smoke from the
guns ; but that they could also, they thought, smell the scent
of the gun-powder, the wind being N.B. & blowing directly
from the scene of action at Wickham bushes, tho' they are in
a direct line more than twenty miles from hence.

As I had written to you as long ago as March, I began to
fear that our correspondence was interrupted by indisposition;
— when your agreeable letter of July 14th came in, & relieved
me from my suspence. You do me much honour by calling
one of your beeches after my name. Linnaeus himself was
complimented with the Linncea borealis by one of his friends,
a mean, trailing, humble plant, growing in the steril, mossy,
shady wilds of Siberia, Sweden, & Russia; while I am
dignified by the title of a stately Beech, the most beautiful &
ornamental of all forest trees. The reason, I should suppose,
why your trees have not encreased in growth & girth this
summer is the want of heat to expand them. I have not this
year measured my firs in circumference; but they have, I see,
many of them, made surprising leading shoots. My account
of the Fern-oivl, or Eve-jarr was prevented by Madam Pro-
crastination, who, a jade, lulled me in security all the spring,
& told me I had time enough, & to spare, till at last I found
that the R. S. meetings were prorogued till the autumn ;
:i gainst which I hope to be ready: & as I have got my
materials, trust that when I do set about the business " verba
hand invita sequentur." By all means get a sight of the

United States of America. They landed at Southampton on the 15th
May, 1756 (Gentleman's Magazine, 1756, p. 259), and went under canvas.
Towards autumn, when it was time to move them into winter quarters,
there was a strong feeling on the part of the licensed victuallers against
receiving them into their houses, and it was doubtful how far the law
allowed the billetting of foreign troops. Accordingly on the 5th No-
vember huts were ordered for them (torn. cit. p. 544) ; but an Act of
Parliament being passed compelling the same treatment to be shown to
thi-m as to British troops, the Hessian camp began to break up on the
•2 :Jrd December, and officers and men were distributed amongst the
various towns in the south of England (torn. cit. p. 592). — A. N.]

286 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

sixth Report of the Commiss™ &c., it will entertain You, &
furnish You with much matter, & many anecdotes respecting
Selborne, of which I could have availed myself greatly had
they been printed before I published my work. My book is
gone to Madras, & several to France, & one to Switzerland, &
one copy is going to China with Lord Macartney : but
whether some Mandareen will read it, I know not. We have
a young Gent, here now on a visit, the son of our late Vicar
Etty, who assures me, that at Canton he has seen the Chinese
reading English books ; & has heard them converse sensibly
on the manners & police of this kingdom. The Chif- Chaf of
this village is the smallest willow wren of my History.
Once I had a spaniel that was pupped in a rabbit burrough
on the verge of Wolmer forest. Tho' I have long ceased to
be a sportsman, yet I still love a dog; & am attended daily by
a beautiful spaniel with long ears & a spotted nose & legs,
who amuses me in my walks by sometimes springing a
pheasant, or partridge, & seldom by flushing a woodcock, of
late become with us a very rare bird. Remember the story of
Py lades & Orestes; & do not say that exalted friendship never
existed among men. Chif- Chaf ] the first bird of passage,
was heard here March 20 : — swallow was seen March 26 : —
nightingale and cuckoo Apr. 9 : — -House-martins April 12 : —
Redstart April 19: — Swift April 14: — Fernowl heard May 19:
— Fly-catcher, the latest summer bird, May 20. We have
experienced a very black wet summer & solstice; but none of
those floods & devastations mentioned in the newspapers !
Indeed we know no floods here, but frequent rains. Yet in
warm summers we have as fine melons, & grapes, & wall-fruit
as I have ever seen. July at an average produces the most
rain of any English month. This last measured 5 in. & 15 h.
—Pray, good Sir, procure better ink : your's is so pale, that
it often renders yr neat hand scarcely legible I I am now
offering my intelligent young neighbours sixpence for every
authentic anecdote that they can bring me respecting Fern-
owls; & will give you the same sum for the same information.
As I was coming over our down after sun-set lately, a cock
bird amused us much by flying round & settling often on the

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 287

turf. As he passed us, he often gave a short squeak, or
rather whistle. We were near his nest. These, like other
birds of passage, frequent the same spots. There are always
three pairs on our hill every year. Did you know Sr John
Cullum * of your part of the world ? He was an agreeable,
worthy man, & a good antiquary. I was also well acquainted
with your late good Bishop Hornet : he has often been at my
house. I concur with you most heartily in yr admiration of
the harmony and beauty of the works of the creation !
Physico-theology is a noble study, worthy the attention of
the wisest man ! Pray write. Our swifts have behaved
strangely this summer : for the most part there were but
three round the church, except now and then of a fine
evening, when there were 13. They seem to be all gone.
House-martins leave Gibraltar by the end of July ! I con-
clude with all due regard.

Yr Humble S.

GIL. WHITE.

* [Sir John Cullum, born 1733, Fellow of St. Catharine's Hall, Cam-
bridge ; Rector of Hawstead (1762) and Vicar of Great Thurlow (1774),
both in Suffolk. His History of the former parish and of Hard wick Hall
forms No. xxiii. of the ' Bibliographia Topographica Britannica,' and was
republished in 1813. He wrote also ' Observations on Cedars ' and on
Yew-trees in churchyards. Died 1785. (Rose, < Biographical Dictionary,'
vi. pp. 507, 508.)— A. N.]

t [George Home, born 1730, at Othani, near Maidstone, scholar of
University, Fellow and afterwards (1768) President of Magdalen College,
Oxford ; Dean of Canterbury, 1781 j Bishop of Norwich, 1790 (Le Neve,
Fasti Eccles. Angl. Ed. Hardy, ii. p. 474); died 17th Jan. 1792. A
distinguished Hebraist, author of many critical and controversial works,
but chiefly known for his ' Commentary on the Book of Psalms.' His
life was written by his friend Jones of Nayland. (Rose, ut supra, viii.
p. 372.)— A. N.]

288 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE.

LETTER XIV.

MARSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton : Octr 20. 1792.
MY DEAR SIR,

EVEB since i received your very entertaining letter of the 7th
of August, i have had intentions of offering my thanks ; but
added to the Demon, i have suffered other delays from infir-
mities of old age, such as Rheumatism, &c &c, which make
me abhor the sight of a pen & paper. But i am resolved to
tell you a piece of Stratton history, viz. my wife has a Turkey
that layed 15 eggs, & reared her brood ; then she layed 63
eggs, & ceased ; & then layed 20, then ceased, & has now laid
8, one on this day. She was of Spring twelvemonth. The
old women round us think this extraordinary. Of the Swal-
lows i can only say they left us on ye 18h of Sepr & on ye 25th
we had a large flight appeared & off then a large flight on ye
14 & 15 of Octr & one Bird on ye 16. One of my men told
me yesterday, that he saw a young Cuckow. This for tor-
pidity ! Perhaps it was a fern Owl: but that will answer the
same purpose, only, you should owe me sixpence for it. I
long for your account of that pleasing & harmless bird. —
Except the first ten days of August, our Summer has seemed
to me very cold & watery. •

Sir, as my old friend (for as such i esteem you) you must
have been troubled with my Tryals to increase the common
ordinary growth of Trees. I have plagued the R. S. more
than once on this subject, so i will hope for your pardon for
this my half madness. My last tryal has been digging round
my Trees. This is a circle as far as the small roots extend
from the trunk; & this is done two spades deep. In Beeches
about 50 years old, this circle will be about 20 yards diameter.
Last Winter i enlarged the circle digged the year before, 8 or
9 yards in diameter, as i found the small roots required it. &

AND ROBERT MARSIIAM. 289

the increase of the Beech (at 5 feet) was 3 inches & 2 tenths.
Sixteen Beeches of the same age, viz. all i had measured
except some i had digged round before, produced very little
above one inch a Tree. Therefore about 3 to one gained.
Now tho' the expense of digging cost much more than the
worth of the timber gained, yet it affords me much more
pleasure, than i could have felt, if i had not digged them, as i
do not feel the want of the digging money. You see 'tis like
Dean Swift in Gulliver of propagating a breed of Sheep with
hair instead of wool. But here is no injury, but to self. By
the bye i received a letter last post, informing me of a hollow
Oak within a few miles of Warwick 55 feet round at 3 feet.
I tell you honestly i do not believe it. — I know there is a
Baronet of the name of Cullum in Suffulk, but i have never
seen him. I have been to very few of the public meetings of
Suffolk, & none in these last 50 years.

Octr 30. My infirmities force me to write by instalments, &
Madam Procrastination will command the use of my pen.
My man has just now shot me a bird, which was flying about
my house : i am confident i have never seen its likeness
before. But on application to Willughby, i conclude it is the
Wall-creeper, or Spider-catcher. I find he had not seen it in
England *. It is very beautifully coloured, 'tho' the chief is
cinereous ; but the shades of red on the wings, & the large
spots of white & yellow on the quil feathers, are uncommonly
pleasingf. You see Willughby does not mention them.

I have asked several members for the Report, &c., but yet
without success : however, i have a few more in store. — I am
surprised that Mr Etty should hear the English language at
Canton. If the Chinese can read English, it will be their
fault as well as misfortune, if they do not read the Hist, of
Selborne. I had the pleasure of recommending a Vol. to

* [Willughby 's words are : — " In Anglia nostra earn invenire aiunt,
quamvis nobis nondum fuerit conspecta " (Ornithologist, 1676, p. 99).
Ray Englishes them : — " They say it is found in England ; but we have not
as yet had the hap to meet with it " (p. 143). Who the authors were who
made such an assertion I do not know. — A. N.]

t [An exquisite drawing of two wing-feathers of the bird accompanied
a subsequent letter from Marsham (see pp. 294 and 297). — T. B.]

VOL. II. U

290 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

Northumberland. — I will not say i am glad you are older, but
i may say, i am a gainer, that you had lost the furor which
you had in 1756. I believe your people might smell the
powder from Bagshot ; for i think i have smelt the smoke of
London at Windsor; & Gunpowder is more pungent than
culinary smoke.

My dear Sir, pray pardon me for saying you ought to love
your Spaniel as well as if you still was a sportsman. Dogs
deserve to be loved for their Virtue, more than their useful-
ness T — You say your Firs have made surprising leading
shoots. I last Autumn removed some large Hornbeams &
Beeches viz. about a yard round, & they grow well ; one of
the Beeches has shot 38 inches. I remain, with great esteem,
dear Sir, your obliged servant, R: MARSHAM.

Nov. I8t yesterday my Turkey laid her 15th egg. so 113
this year. — I have measured an Oak this day (at 5 feet) which
i planted an Acorn in 1719, 8 feet & 6 inches round. I shall
be glad to know if the Wall-creeper lives near you.

[Franked by " W. Fellowes/' 3d November.]

LETTER XV,

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborae : Novemr 3* 1792.

DEAR SIR,

AN extract from the Natural History of Gibraltar by the late
Reverend John White.

" In the first year of my residence at Gibraltar which was
1756, it appeared extraordinary to me to see birds, of the
Swallow kind very frequent in the streets all the winter thro'.
Upon enquiry I was told that they were Bank Martins: &
having at that time been but little conversant in Nat. Hist.,
they passed with me as such for some years without any far-

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 291

ther regard. At length, when I had taken a more attentive
survey of the physical productions of this climate, I soon dis-
covered these birds to be none of the common British species
described by authors ; & I farther found that they were never
seen in G. thro' the whole course of the summer ; but con-
stantly & invariably made their first appearance about the 18
& 20th, & once as early as the 12th of Octobr & remained in
great abundance until the beginning of March.

" These phenomena awakened & alarmed my curiosity as
events entirely new & unheard of among the body of Ornitho-
logists, & induced me to be particularly exact & attentive in
my observations on every part of their conduct. Early in the
autumn vast multitudes of these martins congregate in all
parts of the town of Castillar, which is situate on the summit
of a precipice most singularly lofty & romantic, about 20 miles
north of Gibraltar. Hence it may be inferred that they build
& breed on the inland mountains of Andalusia & Grenada.
But on the approach of winter, when their summer habita-
tions become bleak & inhospitable, (for all those mountains
are then usually covered with snow) they retreat to these
shores, & remain there 'till the snow is gone next spring. A
few are always to be seen about our hill by the middle of Oc-
tobr, shifting round to all sides of the rock at times to avoid
the wind. Novemr 2, 1771, I saw several, with some young
ones among them sitting in groupes, on the cliffs, where the
old ones came & fed them."

Tims have I, for yr amusement, according to promise, sent
You an extract concerning this new & unnoticed swallow,
which my Brother, with great propriety, in his work has
called Hirundo hyemalis ; & has given several particulars
concerning it, & a description of it, too long for the compass
of a letter.

Permit me just to hint to You, that I wrote to you some
time ago in answer to your last letter, which gave me much
satisfaction.

I forgot to mention in the extract, that these winter Swal-
loivs usually leave Gib. about the beginning of March, unless
deep snow (as is sometimes the case, and was particularly so

u2

292 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

in 1770 & 1772) fall in Spain about that time ; & then they
linger there till the latter end of the month.

Surely my dear Sir, we live in a very eventful time, that
must cut-out much work for Historians & Biographers ! but
whether all these strange commotions will turn out to the
benefit or disadvantage of old England, God only knows ! We
have experienced a sad spring, summer, & autumn : & now the
fallows are so wet, & the land-springs break forth so fre-
quently, that men cannot sow their wheat in any comfort.
Our barley is much damaged ; & malt will be bad.

Have you read Mr. Arthur Young's "travels thro'
France"? He says p. 543, when speaking of the French
clergy — " One did not find among them poachers, or fox-
hunters, wTho having spent the morning in scampering after
hounds, dedicate the evening to the bottle, & reel from ine-
briety to the pulpit." Now, pray, who is Mr. Young ; is he
a man of fortune, or one that writes for a livelihood? He
seems to reside in Suffolk, near Bury St. Edmund ; so pro-
bably You can tell me somewhat about him.

Pray do wood-peckers ever damage & bore your timber-
trees ? not those, I imagine, of your own planting, but only
those that are tending to decay. I had a brood this year in
my outlet hatched, I suspect, in the bodies of some old wil-
lows. My dissertation on the Caprimulgus is almost finished.

I remain, with all due respect, & esteem,

Your most obedient & obliged servant,

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XVI.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

DEAR SIR,

OUR two last letters seem as if they had crossed each other on
the road ; but whether they conversed when they met, does
not appear.

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 293

If you have got the Certhia muraria, or true Wall-creeper,
you are in possession of a very rare & curious bird. For in
all my researches here at home for 50 years past, & in all the
vast collections that I have seen in London, I have never met
with it. No wonder that the great Mr. Willughby is not yery
copious on the subject, for he acknowledges fairly that he had
not seen it ; tho' he supposes it may be found in this island.
The best person I can refer you to is Dr John Antony Scopoli,
a modern, elegant, foreign Naturalist, born in the Tyrol, but
late deceased in Pavia, where he was professor of Botany.
This curious & accurate writer was in possession of one in his
own Museum, & gives the following description of his speci-
men in his " Annus primus historico-naturalis : " — "that it's
bill is somewhat longer than it's shanks, slender, & somewhat
bent ; the tongue is bifid ; & the feet consisting of three toes
forward and one behind." Again he adds, " that the upper
part is cinereous, the throat whitish ; the abdomen, wings in
part, tail, & feet, black: the wings at their base, & the quill
feathers at their base on one side reddish." " It was taken
in Carniola." "It is the size of the common Creeper *, or
Certhia familiaris : it's nostrils oblong ; tail cinereous at the
point ; the first four quill feathers distinguished on the inner
side by two white spots." He concludes thus, — " Migrat so-
litario sub finem autumni ; turres & muros sedium altiorum
adit ; araneas venatur ; saltitando scandit ; volatu vago & in-
certo fertur volucris muta." — You are sure, I trust, that your
bird is not the Sitta Europcea, or Nut-hatch.

I have written so soon, that you may examine yr bird well
again, before the specimen decays. Yr Lady's Turkey-hen is
a most prolific dame ; & must, I think, lay herself to death.
You persist very laudably in yr curious experiments on trees.
Whenever You recommend my book, which begins to be bet-
ter known, you lay me under fresh obligations. I am writing
my account of the Fern- owl, & endeavouring to vindicate it
from the foul imputation of being a Caprimulgus. My letter

* [This is a slip of White's pen. Scopoli's words (op. tit. p. 61) are
" Statura sittce" that is, the size of the Nuthatch, which is nearly true.
—A. N.]

294 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

will make a fierce appearance with a quotation from Aristotle,
& another from Pliny : but whether the R. S. will read it : or
whether afterwards they will print it, I know not.

With all good wishes for your health and prosperity, I re-
main

Your obliged & humble servant,

GIL. WHITE.
Selborne:Novr 20th, 1792.

LETTER XVII.

MABSHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton : Dec. 10. 92.
DEAR SIB,

MY thanks are justly due to you for the favour of your
obliging letter of the 20th of Novr & for Scopoli's description
of the Wall-creeper. Although several articles answer ex-
actly, yet i must think him a careless describer. e. g. the Bill
is somewhat longer than its shanks ; but he does not say the
length of either, leaving the reader to suppose what he likes.
I tell you the Bill is above an inch, about one tenth. He does
not name the hind-claw being above double the length of the
fore-claws. Colour has a large share in the beauty of Birds !
He says the four quil-ieathers are distinguished on the inner
side with two white spots, These spots are on the upper side,
& in the two quils next the body ; the upper spots are white
& the lower are yellow ; which he ought not to have over-
looked. You will judge better by the enclosed painting *, than
my poor description. A young Lady drew them for me, & they
appear to me to be very exact copies, & charmingly executed.

* [This painting in water-colours has been kindly lent to me by Prof.
Bell. It represents with much accuracy two of the primary quill-
feathers, the fifth and seventh, I believe, from the left wing of a female
or young male Certhia, or, as it is now more commonly called, Tichodroma
murana, leaving no doubt as to the correctness of the determination of
the specimen by Marsham and White. — A. N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 295

I had occasion to write to the Duke of Portland * ; and i
ventured to recommend the Nat. Hisst. of Selborne to his
Grace.

I think there is no doubt, but the R. S. will print your ac-
count of the Fern-Owl. If they do not, i (for one) shall be
ashamed of F. R. S. to my name. It has been matter of
wonder to me, that (since my Indications of Spring were
printed) many people have asked me, what is the Fern-Owl ?
'Tis a strong proof of the shameful ignorance of a set of people
that live a great part of the year in the Country ! — As you
have left off sporting I hope you will not think me too cynical,
if i wonder that a rational creature can make the chief plea-
sure of his life to consist in causing, and seeing harmless
creatures in the agonies of death. The poulterer's killing-
boy & the Lamb-butcher, follow their trade, & perhaps with
pity; the Nobleman's and gentleman's, is clear pleasure: from
causing pain & death. I am sorry to find by the Meeting
advertised that you have scoundrels & rascals in Hampshire,
as we have in Norfolk. Besides the real danger of these vil-
lains they confirm the bad opinion i am forced to have of
human nature. I may say every man in the village is obliged
to me ; yet 13 of them are of these Clubs. But they do me
one service, viz. they mortify my vanity, as i thought i could
have led them all. One man in particular, to whom & his
family i had been very kind, i believe to hundreds of pounds ;
& saved his father from hanging : & this is the grateful re-
turn !

But no more 011 this vile subject. I have just begun a new
Wood of some acres, now i am near 85 years old ; which i
attend twice a day ; & i feel great pleasure in the work. You
remember Evelyn's f story of the Emperor Maximilian II.
asking an old man, why he planted Dates, which would re-
quire an hundred years to make them produce fruit? He
answered i have children, and i hope they will have children.
But having children or none, the work to me is pleasing.

* [William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, Duke of Portland, born 1738,
and twice First Lord of the Treasury, died 1809. — A. N.J
t [Vol. ii. p. 200. Hunter's edition (ut supra). — A. N.j

296 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

Dec. 21. I am interrupted by the friend that directs this, &
can only add that i am always, with great esteem, your
obliged & obedient servant, R: MARSH AM.

[This letter was franked by " Suffield."— 21st December.]

LETTER XVIII.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborne. Jan. 2.

1793.

DEAR SIR,
RAIN IN MY best thanks are due for your kind letter

1792

inch. Hund. of Decemr 21, to which I shall pay proper

Jan. ... 6-7 attention presently. But I shall first speak

Feb. ... 1-68 of the margin of this, which contains the rain

Mar. . . . 6-70 of last year, which was so remarkably wet,

Apr. ... 4-8 that You may be perhaps glad to see what

May ... 3-0 proportion the fall of water bears to that of

Ju. ... 2—78 other uncomfortable, unkindly years. The

July ... 5-16 rain in 1782, as you see in my book, was

Aug. ... 4-25 52 inches ; in 1789, 42 inches ; & in 1791,

Sep. ... 5—53 44 inches: yet these wet seasons had not the

Oct. ... 5-55 bad influence of last year, which much in-

Nov. ... 1-65 jured our harvest; damaged our fallows; pre-

Dec. ... 2-11 vented the poor from getting in their peat &

turf, which lies rotting in the Forest; washed

48-56 & soaked my cleft beechen wood, so that it

will not burn ; it prevented our fruits from

ripening. The truth is, we have had as wet years, but more
intervals of warmth and sunshine.

I am now perswaded that your bird is a great curiosity, the
very Certhia muralis, or Wall-creeper, which neither Wil-
lughby nor Ray ever saw; nor have I, in 50 years attention
to the winged creation, ever met with it either wild, or among
the vast collections that I have examined in London. It seems
to be a South Europe bird, frequenting towns, & towers, &

AND i:om«:iiT MAHSIIAM. 297

castles: but has been found, but very seldem indeed, in Eng-
land. So that you will have the satisfaction of introducing
a new bird of which future Ornithologists will say, — " found
at Stratton in Norfolk by that painful, & accurate Naturalist,
Robert Marsham, Esq." You observe that Scopoli does
not take notice that the hind-claw is about double the length
of the fore-claws: but Linnaeus corroborates your remark by
saying " Ungues validi, praesertim posticus." You seem a
little to misunderstand Scopoli respecting the spots on the
inner-side of the quill feathers : by the inner side he does not
mean the under side of the wing next the body ; but only the
inner or broader web of the quills, on which those remarkable
spots are found, as appear by the drawing. I am much de-
lighted with the exact copies sent me in the frank, & so
charmingly executed by the fair unknown, whose soft hand has
directed her pencil in a most elegant manner, & given the
specimen sa truly delicate & feathery appearance. Had she
condescended to have drawn the whole bird, I should have
been doubly gratified ! It is natural to young Ladies to wish
to captivate men: but she will smile to find that her present
conquest is a very old man.

My best thanks are due for all your good offices respecting
my work, & in particular for your late recommendation to the
Duke of Portland.

You did not in yr last, take any notice of my enquiries
concerning wood-peckers, whether they ever pierce a sound
tree, or only those that are tending to decay. I have ob-
served that with us they love to bore the edible chest-nuts ;
perhaps because the wood is softer than that of oak. They
breed in my outlet, I think in old willows. You have not
told me anything about Arthur Young. You cannot abhor
the dangerous doctrines of levellers & republicans more than
I do ! I was born & bred a Gentleman, & hope I shall be al-
lowed to die such. The reason you having so many bad
neighbours is your nearness to a great factious, manufacturing
town. Our common people are more simple-minded & know
nothing of Jacobin clubs.

I admire your fortitude & resolution ; & wonder that you

293 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

have the spirit to engage in new woods & plantations I Our
winter, as yet, has been mild, & open, & favourable to your
pursuits. Pray present my respects to your Lady, & desire
her to accept of my best wishes, & all the compliments of the
season, jointly with yourself. I have now squirrels in my
outlet: but if the wicked boys should hear of them, they will
worry them to death. There is too strong a propensity in
human nature towards persecuting & destroying !

I remain, with much esteem, Your's, &c.

GIL. WHITE.

LETTER XIX.

MAESHAM TO WHITE.

Stratton. Feb. 20.

93.

DEAR SIR,

AFTER offering you my hearty thanks for the favour of your
pleasing & instructive letter of the 2d of Jan. i must beg your
pardon, for omitting the two articles you had mentioned to
me. Indeed i thought i had answered them. — I suppose the
wood-peckers do not attack the sound part of a tree ; but
where a bough has been broke off, & the stump died, & re-
mained some years on the tree before it was broken off'; then
when the bark skins over the rotten part, these birds attack
the skin over those false parts, where they find the holes
almost ready made for their use. Several of the edible chest-
nuts that i have planted, have the woodpeckers holes in them;
which i think i remember to have been dead stumps. But i
am not certain. — As to Arthur Young, i never saw the man ;
but by the accounts of others, & from what i have read of his
works, i conclude him an abominable coxcomb. We have a
story of him, that a foreigner a Russian curious in husbandry,
went to see him in Suffolk. He not being at home, the stranger
enquired of his wife, how many acres of potatos he had that
year, to fatten his swine i think 500 ? She answered none !

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 299

They did not use potatos. — He, you know, gives some de-
scriptions of Noblemen's & Gentlemen's houses, & places.
Several of which i have seen, where he is very erroneous. — I
had minuted down some articles of his observations, & a friend
told me, that no dependence could be had on his veracity.
Lies in a pettyfoging writer, such as Farmer Young, do not
signify much (tho' he is a voluminous man). But when you
find men of fame dealing in lies, or false quotations (which
are the worst of lies) they are shocking to an honest mind.
Evelyn, e.g. who had perhaps a larger share of it than he de-
served, abounded with both. But Addison's false quotation
from Bp Burnet's travels * offends me most, as it gave occa-
sion to others to abuse the Bp for lying. I conclude Addison
was drunk in the evenings when he wrote his Travels ; but
as they passed several Editions both he & Evelyn, should have
had the honesty to have corrected their errors as a duty they
owed to the public. — I wish your friend Daines Barrington
was not sometimes inaccurate, e. g. in his zeal against the
migration of birds, he urges an instance which makes directly
against his opinion, viz if Woodcocks crost the Sea, they
would beat themselves against the Lighthouses. This, i am
well informed, they do, every Autumn in Norfolk. And he is
unlucky when he names the yellow-hammer in Hasselquist's
ship f ; one is left to suppose the only bird ; when you may

* [It would seem that Marsham's memory had deceived him, and that
he must have been thinking of some other author than Addison, whose
character cannot be affected by what is above said of him. I have ex-
amined his ' Travels ' without being able to find therein any reflexion on
Burnet, to whom, indeed, as the Rev. W. Elwin has kindly pointed out
to me, a high compliment is paid in the preface. " Among the authors of
our own country we are obliged to the Bishop of Salisbury [Burnet] for
his masterly and uncommon observations on the religion and governments
of Italy." Mr. Elwin, and there can be no better authority, is fully per-
suaded of the groundlessness of the charge against Addison. Nor can
that against Evelyn be maintained. Marsham's advanced age must be
his excuse. — A. N.]

t [Hasselquist, born 1722, died at Smyrna in 1752. His journal and
other literary remains were published by Linnaeus, and afterwards trans-
lated into English, ' Voyages and Travels in the Levant, &c.' (London:
1766). The bird Barrington (Phil. Trans. 1772, p. 276) referred to as a

300 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

remember Hasselquist mentions many different birds, on dif-
ferent days, but forgets the poor yellow-hammer. — Mr Bar-
rington concludes Monsr Adanson's birds to be martins, be-
cause they roosted on the Sea-shore. — But Adanson says after,
when he lived by the Gambia, great numbers of European
Swallows came every evening into his hut, fy past the night upon
the rafters. Now if these birds roosting on the sands proved
them martins, does not their roosting on the rafters prove
them swallows ? From pieces of quotations you may prove
blasphemy from the Bible, as you may remember finely proved
by Pulteny (afterwards E. of Bath) against Thomson in the
H. of Commons *. — I honour & love Mr Barrington ; but i
wish every man i love would be careful of what he commits
to the public notice. Your friend Pennant has been too
careless.

I thank you for your account of the rain of last year, as i
do not measure it, i could only observe there has fallen a
great deal. If the Squirrels did you as much harm as they
do me, you would think your self obliged to the boys that
destroy them. I paid for above 80 one year. They bite off
the young shoots of my Trees. — Indications of Spring in
1793. Snowdrop Jan 15. Thrush sings Feb. 15. Hawth.
1. Mar. 2. Ringdoves coo Feb. 22. Rooks build & stock
doves coo Mar. 4. Hepatica F. Feb. 16. Yellow butterfly
Feb. 24. Larch 1. Mar. 9.

I hope you have presented your account of the fern-owl to
the R.S. I am hungry for it. I am glad you liked the
drawing of the two feathers. I hinted my wish for the whole
bird ; but she lent a deaf ear : & in that manner, all young
Women have treated me (when i ask favours) since i was
turned of 40.

I congratulate you upon the cheque given to the cruel

Yellow Hammer was most likely that which Hasselquist himself called
Emberiza africana (pp. 14 and 206 of the English translation) and iden-
tified by Linnaeus with his Loxia chloris (Syst. Nat. ed. 10, i. p. 174, no.
20), i.e. our Greenfinch. — A. N.]

* [This allusion is quite beyond me, nor can Mr. Elwin throw any
light upon it. — A. N.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 301

french*, & remain with great esteem my dear Sir, your most
humble & obliged servant,

R. MARSHAM.

N.B. you see the mournful power the Hag has over me.
Feeling my hand not very shaking, i begin a letter & write
'till i am weary ; lay it by, and wait 'till i feel myself willing
to write again. So i have sometimes found more than a
month slide away, before i seize my pen again. My strong
comfort is that nobody suffers by my infirmity but myself.
'Tis like drinking; which 'tho' not my weakness, i think very
pardonable in those under its influence. Mar. 15. this day
Toads sing. I cannot remember a Winter having passed
more mildly than the last.

In the Gent. Magazine of last Feb. is a letter against the
torpidity of Swallows. Symptoms point as if it might be
written by you. I had the lie about the toad in the block of
stone in the Phil. Trans, fairly detected f. But i have also a
proof of torpidity of Swallows in Yorkshire, that i cannot
doubt. If you wish for the particulars, i will transcribe them
for you. Again Adieu.

LETTER XX.

WHITE TO MARSHAM.

Selborne : June 15.

1793.

DEAR SIR,

FROM my long silence You will conclude that Procrastination
has been at work, & perhaps not without reason. But that is
not all the cause: for I have been annoyed this spring with a

* [Towards the end of the preceding year Frankfurt had been retaken
by the Germans, and the French compelled to recross the Rhine. — A. N.]

t [I am unable to find any reference to this circumstance, nor can Mr.
White, the Assistant-Secretary of the Royal Society, who has kindly
made search for me, throw any light upon it. — A. N.]

302 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE

bnd nervous cough, & a wandering gout, that have pulled me
down very much, & rendered me very languid & indolent.

As you love trees, & to hear about trees, You will not be
displeased, when You are told that Your old friend the great
Oak in the Holt forest is, at this very instant, under parti-
cular circumstances. For a brother of mine*, a Man of Virtu,
who rents Lord Stawell's beautiful seat near the Holt, called
Morelands, is at this very juncture employing a draughts-man,
a French Refugee, to take two or three views of this extra-
ordinary tree on folio paper, with an intent to have them
engraved. Of this artist I have seen some performances ; &
think him capable of doing justice to the subject. These
views my Brother proposes to have engraved, & will probably
send a set to You, who deserve so well of all lovers of trees,
as You have made them so much your study, & have taught
men so much how to cultivate & improve them|. — I have told
You, I believe, before, that the great Holt Oak has long been
known in these parts by the name of the grindstone Oak,
because an implement of that sort was in old days set up
near it, while a great fall of timber was felled in it's neigh-
bourhood.

After a mild, wet winter we have experienced a very harsh,
backward spring with nothing but N. & N.B. winds. All the
Hirundines except the sand-martins were very tardy ; & do
not seem even yet to make any advances towards breeding.
As to the sand-martins they were seen playing in & out of
their holes in a sand-cliff as early as April 9th. Hence I am
confirmed in what I have long suspected, that they are the
most early species. I did not write the letter in the Gent.
Mag. against the torpidity of swallows : nor would it be con-
sistent with what I have sometimes asserted, so to do. As to
your recent proof of their torpidity in Yorkshire, I long to
see it. But as much writing is sometimes irksome, cannot

* [His brother Benjamin, who, on leaving his business in Fleet Street,
resided at Marelands, where he died. See memoir. — T. B.]

f [ Whether these drawings were ever engraved or not I have no infor-
mation. The artist could not have been Grimm, who was not a French
refugee.— T. B.]

AND ROBERT MARSHAM. 303

You call in occasionally some young person to be your
Amanuensis ?

There has been no such summer as this, so cold & so dry, I
can roundly assert, since the year 1765. We have had no
rain since the last week in April, & the two first days in May.
Hence our grass is short, & our spring-corn languishes. Our
wheat, which is not easily injured in strong ground by
drought, looks well. The hop-planters begin to be solicitous
about their plantations. Here I shall presume to correct
(with all due deference) an expression of the groat Philo-
sopher Dr. Derham. He say in his Physico-theology, " that
all cold summers are wet:" whereas he should have said most.

Have You seen Arthur Young's " Example of France a
warning to England ?" it is a spirited performance. The
season with us is unhealthy.

With true esteem

I remain, Yr obliged servant,

GIL. WHITE.

[At the head of this letter is the following note in the handwriting of
Mr. Marsham: —

" This worthy man died this month."— T. S.]

304

ON THE
SENSE OF HEARING IN FISHES

[The following letter was evidently intended for publication, but whe-
ther in the series addressed to Pennant or in that to Barrington cannot be
ascertained. It is headed, as all the others are, " To the same/' and with
a number affixed written in pencil, but so worn as to be illegible. There
is no date, and the words " Hints but not finished" are prefixed. It is a
rough copy, with many verbal corrections. — T. B.]

IT has long been a question among naturalists whether
Fishes hear or not. This subject I should make no scruple to
take in the negative ; and without being biassed, or indeed
without knowing what has been said before, shall proceed to
give you my thoughts in my own way. And here I would be
understood to mean Fishes strictly so catted ; for it is well
known that cetaceous Fishes,, the Belluce marines, are furnished
with ears, like quadrupeds, though the perforations are very
small.

When people advance that Fishes do hear, I would answer
that after the strictest examination, the best modern Ichthy-
ologists assure us they are destitute of any kind of organs for
that purpose. "Pisces destituumtur auribus auriculisque,"
says Linnaeus.

But then if Fishes do not hear, some will say how do tame
fishes in stews and canals come to be fed at the sound of a
whistle? That fishes used to be fed will come when their

ON THE SENSE OF HEARING IN FISHES. 305

owners whistle cannot be disputed ; but they may have many
intimations that their masters are not aware of; in the first
place from their eyes, which are wonderfully quick and
curiously adapted to all the various refractions of their ele-
ment ; and then from their feeling, which is very delicate and
can from a distance discern the footsteps of those that approach;
and moreover the sound of the whistle possibly may make a
sensible impression on the water and awaken their attention.
That water is very pervious to sound is known by many ex-
periments ; for noises made under water are distinctly heard
above, and so vice verm ; and moreover sounds raised under
water may be heard to an almost incredible distance by an
ear placed under water. Now these noises cannot pervade
any medium without occasioning a sensible vibration in it,
and therefore they may become the object of feeling. Where
one sense is wanting or impaired by any decay, the others
are more alert and their attention is more alive. Thus blind
people avail themselves of many little intimations that escape
the attention of those who can see ; they can remember men's
voices as we distinguish their persons, and discriminate each
friend as he enters the room by his step or his manner of
opening or shutting the door. Hearing and feeling in parti-
cular are kindred senses, and the latter often performs the
function of the former, as I shall endeavour to prove before
I close this letter. On the morning of the 1st of Novr, 1755,
some people that were busied about the pen-stock of a pond
saw the fish agitated in a very unusual manner, and express-
ing uncommon terror and dismay ; but were unable to form
the least judgment concerning this novel commotion 'til the
next mail from Portugal brought advice of the sad fate of the
city of Lisbon, which was destroyed in that most awful mo-
ment by a tremendous earthquake.

A deaf person with whom I am very well acquainted, as
he sits with his back to the door, can feel people enter the
room though he cannot hear them ; and some summers past,
during the royal review at Spithead, could distinguish every
salute by the vibrating of the floor and walls of his parlor and
the chair in which he sat, though his hearing was too dull to

VOL. II. X

308 ON THE SENSE OF HEARING IN FISHES.

be affected by the report of the cannons, which were at 30
miles distance.

When the ' Edgar ' man-of-war was blown up at Spithead
in Queen Anne's time, the concussion and crash, which were
rather felt than heard at this place, were so horrible that a
team at plow ran away with such fury as to tear the share out
of the ground, and to drive it through the body of one of the
horses. In a dead calm, with the weather-cock pointing to
the N.E., we rather felt than heard the guns of the Tower of
London, though at fifty miles' distance.

The following story, which was well authenticated at the
time, is much to our purpose. While the French were be-
sieging Bergen-op-Zoom in a late war, it happened that a
young gentleman of some college in Cambridge was so affected
by the loss of a dear friend that he shunned all society, and
indulged his melancholy in lonely and sequestered places. One
day, as he was lying at length on the grass in some retired spot,
he felt, or thought he felt, a concussion like the discharge of
ordnance. When he stood up the sensation ceased, but
was repeated again as soon as he returned to his former
posture. Struck with the oddity of the occurrence, he ran
and called some of his acquaintance, who all declared that
while they were on their legs they perceived nothing, but that
as soon as they were stretched on the turf they plainly felt a
shaking like that from the firing of great guns. These young
people examined their watches and attended to the time of
day, and were surprised to find by the next Dutch mail that
it was the very juncture in which the assailants made a most
vigorous attack on the town with a shower of bombs and all
the thunder of their heaviest artillery.

(A wonderful effect that a cannonade had in N. America
this war by scaring away all the lobsters from a large river
where before they remarkably abounded. — Mentioned by Cap-
tain Duke of Sarson, who was on the spot at the time. — To
enquire what river. It was at Hell-gate near the Island of
New York. Hell-gate is a road or arm of the sea in the
mouth of the Hudson river.

Sound conveyed along a mast in a dock-yard. — To examine

ON THE SENSE OF HEARING IN FISHES. 307

what Dr. Franklin says concerning sounds made under
water (See Derham on sounds made under water but heard

above) *.

* [The passage here referred to is in a note near the close of the third
chapter of Derham's ' Physico-Theology,' and is as follows: — "But 'tis
not the air alone that is capable of the impressions of sound, but the water
also, as is manifest by striking a bell under water, the sound of which
may plainly enough be heard, but is much duller, and not so loud ; and it
is also a fourth deeper, by the ear of some great judges in musical notes
who gave me their judgment in the matter. ButMersenne saith, a sound
made under water, is of the same tone or note, if heard under water ; as
are also sounds made in the air, when heard under water. Vide MERSEN. :
Hydraul. Having mentioned the hearing of sounds under water, there
is another curiosity worth mentioning, that also further proves water to
be susceptible of the impressions of sound, viz. Divers at the bottom of
the sea can hear the noises made above only confusedly ; but on the con-
trary those above cannot hear the Divers below." The most elaborate
and interesting investigations which had at this time been made on this
subject were those of Anderon, recorded in the Phil. Trans, for 1748, with
which Gilbert White does not appear to have been acquainted. He came
to the conclusion that fishes are devoid of the sense of hearing, which,
however, is scarcely proved by his facts. Franklin's experiments, inter-
esting and conclusive as they are, do not appear to bear upon the question
of the hearing of fishes. They show the extent to which sound is con-
veyed through water, but go no further. — T. B.]

308

SERMON*.

[I have selected the following sermon of Gilbert White's out of three
in my possession, as a fair illustration of the general tone of his paro-
chial instruction, and as an example of the ordinary character of the best
village sermons of the period. The list, in his own hand, of the numerous
occasions on which it was delivered is prefixed to this and to each of his
other sermons ; and I find attached to a sermon of his uncle Charles
White, the Rector of Bradley and Swarraton, under whom he held his
first curacy, a similar list, partly in the handwriting1 of the uncle, and
afterwards in that of Gilbert White, who appears thus to have utilized
his uncle's compositions, as heir not only to his secular property, but to
his pastoral teaching. — T. B.]

Selborn : Aug. 6, 1758. Faringdon : May 1, 1774.

Selborn : May 13, 1759. Faringdon : April 28, 1776.

Farringdon : Septem. 7, 1760. Fyfield : May 19, 1776.

Farringdon : July 13, 1761. Faringdon : Jan. 23, 1779.

Chute : May 9, 1762. Faringdon : April 22, 1781.

Fyfield : May 23, 1762. Faringdon : Nov. 24, 1782.

Farringdon : July 4, 1762. Selborne : Nov. 7, 1784.

Farringdon : Nov. 11, 1764. Selborne : Dec. 1786.

Faringdon : Jan. 24, 1768. Selborne : Aug. 24, 1788.
Faringdon, & Chawton : Dec. 3, 1769. Selborne : Aug. 15, 1790.

Faringdon : Jan. 26, 1772. Selborne : August 19, 1792.

Math: 25: 30. Cast the unprofitable servant into utter darkness : there
shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth.

THESE words are the conclusion of the parable of the talents ;
and designed by our Saviour to stir up all Xtians to faithful-
ness, and zeal in the exercise of all those powers, and means,
whether outward or inward, natural or supernatural (for by
every one of these is meant the talents) which God blesses

* [For this sermon I am indebted to the kindness of the- Rev. M. G.
Watkins, Rector of Barnoldby-le-beck, Lincolnshire. — T. B.]

SERMON. 309

them with : least by failing in the due use of them, they
should fall under the sentence of the unprofitable servant ;
and be ejected out of God's Kingdom into most inexpressible
miseries. By whatsoever endowments and gifts we may (by
a due use of them) bring honour to God, and promote his
Kingdom ; by neglecting so to manage the same we become
unprofitable; that is, do not answer the ends for which God hath
fitted us; nor bring him those fruits and profits which he justly
expects from those opportunities and means with which he hath
so furnished us. It is true that none, even the best of men, do
or can help or profit God. He reaps no gain or advantage by
any of our doings : and therefore how great proficients soever
we are in virtue, and holiness, we are still but unprofitable
servants : according to that of our Saviour (Luke xvii. 10)
" When ye have done all those things that are commanded
you, say, we are unprofitable servants." And doubtless our
Lord would not teach us to tell an untruth; and to say we are
'unprofitable, if we were not really so. It is therefore certain,
that we can not be profitable to God : but withall it is as
certain that he is pleased to accept us as such, when we are
faithful, and do our true endeavour to serve his interests, and
glory. When therefore we neglect these ends, and do not use
the talents wherewith he has entrusted us, to such purposes ;
we are unprofitable in ye sense of the text, and fall under the
condemnation of it. Such are the bounties and liberalities of
God, that he is continually filling all things living with his
blessings; especially man whom he hath made in his own
image ; and upon whom he poureth down the most plentiful
effusions of his riches and grace. So that he among them,
that partakes least of his favours, hath no less than a talent, a
very considerable sum, committed to him; and hath therefore
no small obligation to answer for. And the encreasing this
talent, which is the return God expects for every benefit
which he has conferred, is the using it in the best manner we
can, to his honour, and the good of men. And by casting the
unprofitable servant, him that did not so improve his talent,
into utter darkness, is not meant only the depriving him of
this present life : tho' darkness be frequently set in the H. S.

310 SERMON.

in opposition to the light of ye living/ and signifies no more
than natural death. But the word darkness here hath a
further meaning; and signifies a much worse thing, viz. Hell,
or the place appointed by God to be the prison of damned
Angels, and men. And in this sense Darkness is made use of
in other parts of S. as Jude v. 13 : " To whom is reserved ye
blackness of darkness for ever : " and 2 Pet. 2, " To whom is
reserved the mist of darkness for ever."

Having thus explained the terms of the text, and thereby
shewed what will subject people to the dreadful doom of it: I
shall in the next place make it my business to shew more
particularly what those talents are by the due use of which we
may escape that sentence. And the Talents in general are
all advantages and means, endowments, gifts, and faculties,
whereby we may glorify God, or be beneficial to men. And
these are twofold, either external, or internal. The external,
or gifts of fortune, as some call ym are riches, honour, and
power. The internal, or endowments of Nature, are likewise
double ; either those seated in the body, as strength, and
beauty : or those in the mind ; as reason, and it's several
branches, and faculties, viz. memory, understanding, and
judgment. By every one of these we are put into a capacity
(if we will but take care rightly to apply them) of doing
service to God, and men ; and so of becoming profitable
servants.

I begin with external gifts, or those of fortune, as some call
them; viz: riches, honour, and power. These, if rightly
understood, are all of them very considerable helps towards
doing good, and gaining God's love : because there are no
duties with which he is more pleased than with humility, con-
descension, charity, and mercy. But to think these talents
bestowed upon us only to pamper, and puff us up, and nourish
us to a prodigious bulk, that we may be as it were alone on
ye earth; such overgrown trees as eclipse all the blessings of
Heaven from every thing around them; and suffer nothing to
prosper or thrive near or under them ; is to forget that there
is an over-ruling power above, an higher thnn ye highest on
earth, that considers all things done here, and will call them

SERMON. 311

into judgment. It would be strange indeed, if y° Lord of the
Vineyard should long bear such unprofitable loads, and not
pronounce the just sentence upon them ; " Cut them down,
why cumber they the Ground." But if men, more than
ordinary favoured with these bounties of God, seriously con-
sidering why He should commit five or ten talents to ym when
the generality of their Brethren have but one or two ; and
perceiving that to whom much is given, from them the more
is required, — shall provide to answer the donor's expecta-
tions in the case ; and employ their wealth, influence, and
dignity to such ends as it may reasonably be presumed He
gave them for : if they relieve and comfort the needy and
distressed, and assist all people, as far as they can, according
to their several exigencies ; then do they thereby lay up for
themselves treasures which may profit in the day of wrath ;
and bespeak Grace to help in the time of their own necessities;
and shall have their talents, their riches, honour, and authority
increased, and be called to nearer advances to the Divine
presence.

The next talents, whereby we may be profitable, are the
endowments of Nature, which, as I said before, are twofold,
those of the body, and those of the mind. Those of the body
are strength, and comliness of parts ; by a right use of which
we may do honour and service to the ever-blessed Giver.

And 1st our bodily strength we may employ, as Samson did
his, in the behalf of God's friends, and subduing his enemies:
or as Moses (tho' the meekest man on earth) did his, in
vindicating those that are wronged, and delivering them from
the injuries and oppressions of such, as being stronger than
they, would trample them under their feet. The wise man
tells us (Prov. 20: 29) " That the Glory of young men is their
strength;" what they chiefly delight in. But for the most
part, as they use it, it is only the occasion of evil and mischief
to them: because they suffer themselves to be exalted thereby
to pride, and into contentions and quarrels ; only upon pre-
sumption that they shall have the advantage in such engage-
ments, as being ye strongest: or else they show their strength
in wicked and immoral practices; as excessive drinking, and

•312 SERMON.

fulfilling the lusts of the flesh ; and glorying to out-do and
conquer others in such vile and irrational emulations : never
considering that all such glory is the height of their shame,
and proves them only the more degenerate and brutish.
They ought to be mindful how contrary all such uses of it
are to the intents for which God gave it them ; viz: that they
should exert it in undergoing more abundant labours, and
enduring more hardships for his sake : and so much as they
excell others in strength, be the so much more mighty in
resisting temptations, and overcoming the wicked one; and in
fulfilling God's commandments, and exalting his praise, as the
H: Angels, which excell in strength, we read, are: and in acts
of piety, faith, devotion, and zeal ; that they may have power
with God, and be able to prevail with him for blessings, on
themselves and friends. If thus we use our strength : then
out of the strong will come forth sweetness : for we shall
thereby confirm and increase our inward powers and spiritual
graces, and likewise our everlasting reward.

And then 2ly as for beauty, or the comliness of our outward
parts; we may thereby serve God acceptably, and endear
ourselves to the Gracious Donor of them; as Esther did her's,
to the benefit of the true Eeligion and welfare of God's faithful
people. But if our hearts be lifted up within us because of it,
and we are inclined to grow vain, and to despise others upon
that account ; if we use it only as an incitement to leudness,
and wicked purposes, and to multiply iniquity in ourselves
and others, as is the practice with too many : if this be the
best use we make of our fair proportions and beautiful frame;
it would have been much better for us that we had been born
the most ugly and deformed creatures in the wrorld : since no
outward deformity would render us hateful to God : but
beauty, so abused, will be of all things the most odious, and
abhorred in his sight : if we serve only Satan, and our own
vile affections by our gracefulness of person, and not God and
virtue ; we shall certainly be esteemed unprofitable ; and be
sentenced, how splendid and gay soever we may have been
here, to utter darkness, and weeping, and wailing, and gnash-
ing of teeth.

SERMON. 313

But 3dly the next talent whereby we may profit, and in-
gratiate ourselves with our Aim: Lord, and Master, are the
endowments of the mind, viz. Reason, with all its branches,
and faculties ; as Memory, Understanding, and Judgment.
And these are more noble Instruments than the former, of
serving God, and doing good ; as those by which we may
attain to the knowledge of the adorable perfections and will
of the most High, in all needful instances ; and be affected
with the wonders and efficacy thereof in ourselves, and com-
municate them to others: and may thereby learn many useful
arts and sciences ; and thereby improve and help ourselves
and neighbours. And therefore sure[ly,] to bury so beneficial
a talent in Sloth, Intemperance, or Luxury; or to stifle it with
the cares of this World, is most grievous Ingratitude, and un-
profitableness, and must be exceedingly displeasing to the
Giver. Such is the bounty, and generosity of God, the best
and supreme of Masters, that tho' his family be numberless,
and comprehending the whole race of mankind ; yet is there
no one servant, or dependant of his, (let the place or office,
which he is employed in, be ever so mean and low) but hath
at least one, or two, or more talents committed to him to
trade and profit withall. And the most universal one is that
of Reason, which God, as a common badge, bestowes on all
his domestics in general, and without distinction, even the
most inferior retainers to Him. This, notwithstanding its
commonness, is so rich a gift, and carries with it such an air
of divinity, and similitude of the All-perfect Donor, that there
is nothing in nature of price enough to compare with it. It
is this which distinguishes angels and men from beasts ; and
the eternal and surviving part of the Creation from the
temporary and perishing : that which, like a celestial flame,
sparkles, and shines, and spreads out its lustre every way ;
and extends itself to all parts of the Universe; and attracts to
it not only present, but also past, and future objects, those in
Heaven above, and in the earth beneath, and even under it.
This is the principle of all Knowledge, both of things in the
world, and those above it: that light which God has set up in
the breast of every partaker of Humane Nature, whereby (as

314 SERMON.

refiners do by fire) to try and find out, from among ye gross
heap of dross and rubbish, good from evil, and truth from
falsehood. A talent, which tho' but one, is capable of being
multiply ed into manifold, and innumerable treasures. When
reason is first sowed in infants, it is a very small seed indeed,
the least of all seeds, scarcely perceptible ; but wonderfully
vigorous and apt to encrease ; and by degrees, if rightly
cultivated, shoots up into a mighty tree, the tree of know-
ledge, blossoming into arts and sciences, and speculations;
and fructifying, first into moral actions, and practices ; and
then, as it advances to maturity, into divine habits, and
graces. For " first is that which is natural, and afterwards
that which is spiritual." And he that is faithful in little will
be faithful in more : and, because he hath, shall have more
given him, and have abundance, and grow from natural (if he
be not wanting to make a due improvement with them) to
supernatural and spiritual attainments.

This was the highest and brightest talent of natural light
and conscience (before ye coming of Xt) which God com-
mitted to ye world; except to the Jews, who alone of all
nations were acquainted with divine revelation, and some
degrees of spiritual light : and by a due use of this, viz. of
their rational faculties, and natural conscience might have
been happy, and known the eternal power and goodness of
God, and demeaned themselves acceptably towards him. But
while they neglected strictly to follow the direction of this
Heavenly Guide, and sought out to themselves many inven-
tions in their religious services, which they could not justify
by reason; and thought themselves wise therein, they became
fools ; and by dishonouring God with their will-worship, that
is, with human inventions, instead of that which their own
light and judgment, if not perverted, would have led them to,

became unprofitable servants : and, for darkening their

own hearts, and acting against their own innate knowledge,
worthy to be delivered up to a reprobate mind, and cast into
prseternatural, and utter darkness. Rom. i. 20, 21, 22, & 28.

The excellence, or highest improvement of this talent, reason,
is to attain thereby to true wisdom ; an ability to direct our-

SERMON. :iir,

and others in the choice and pursuit of our proper end,
everlasting happiness. For surely, of all advantages, this will
be found the greatest to ourselves ; and God will esteem it so
too; because thereby our own, and probably other's souls will
be gained to Him; which is the only gain that he accounts of.
The wisdom of directing our own ways aright, viz. being wise
for ourselves is doubtless the prime point of all wisdom :
according to that of Solomon: (Prov. 14: 8) "The wisdom of
the prudent is to direct his way." And whoso is wise will
make the knowing and securing of his own eternal happiness
his main business : and being sensible, (as he presently must,
that at all considers this matter) that without a truly religious
life, and a pure and holy conversation no man can be accept-
able to God, or admitted into his joys ; - - will labour above
all things after sanctification, to please God both in body and
soul: that if he cannot do any further service to his maker, he
may be sure however to glorify him in working out his own
salvation. But withal knowing that such a private spirit is
very short of that of Xtianity (which would have all men to
be saved) will find himself obliged moreover to become EXEM-
PLARY in goodness, that he may by the loveliness of his ways
win others to the like, and ye service of God, and righteousness.

316

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT- BOOK

[The following transcript from one of Gilbert White's account-books
affords so many interesting traits of his character at the period to which
it belongs, that I have been induced, at the wish of many friends to
whom I showed the original, to print it literatim. It has always struck
me as exhibiting in its simplicity that combination of genial kindliness
and generous hospitality with habitual prudence, punctilious formality,
and methodical habits which was so characteristic of the whole of his
after life. As an indication of some phases of ordinary college life of the
time it is not without some amusing interest. — T. B.]

Expences preparatory to fy during my year of Proctorship in
the University of Oaon, 1752.

Li: s: d:
March On the road from Selborn to Oxon: & hire of Boy, &

20. 21. Horse 01 01 11

Coffee-house 00 00 07

Two Quire of paper, & this Book 00 03 00

25. Subscription to the Concert 00 10 06

Provost's, & Mrs. Croke's Man 00 02 00

Pair of Norway-Doe Gloves 00 01 08

Pound of Candles 00 00 06

Cook's shop 00 CO 05

28. Tin-Boiler; & Chocolate pot, & mill 00 04 00 .

31. Going to the Concert, choral night 00 01 00

A feather-top'd grizzle wig f m London 02 05 00

Half pound of Hyson-tea f m Har: Woods 00 08 00

Half pound of Congo from Do 00 04 00

31. 3 pounds of Chocolate from Do 00 10 06

Pr of Norway-Doe Gloves 00 01 08

Cook's-shop 00 00 06

April 2. Mr Smith, Senr Procf8 Man 00 01 00

Large washing Bason 00 01 00

4. Six large polished tea spoons 01 06 00

Carried forward . . " 07 03 09

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 317

Li: s: d:

17o2. Brought forward 07 03 09

April 4. Engraving my Crest on Do 00 03 00

4. Car: of two Hampers of Mountain from Southampton 00 15 00

Porterage to Coll: 00 01 00

Cinder-sifter, & hearth-brush 00 02 04

Junr Proctor, Mr Dickens's Man 00 01 00

4. 6 doz: of Mountain-wine, half pints, half quarts, from

Mr Atherley of Southampton: very old, & good. . 04 16 00
Bottles, Corks, & Hampers for Do 01 12 06

6. President of Trinity's Man 00 01 00

7. Senr Proctrs Man 00 01 00

8. An 100 pd weight of biscuit to treat the Masters of

Art in Oriel Hall 05 00 00

entered on my office then.

Paid the Porter for two weeks waiting 00 02 00

9. Ringers, & Musick 00 10 00

Alms-men of St. Bartholws 00 02 06

4 pds of Candles 00 02 00

Washing-pan, & wainscot-brush 00 00 08

Tobacco, & pipes 00 01 01

A Plate of Olives 00 01 06

A bowl of rum Punch from Horsmans 00 02 06

Two Sevil-Oranges 00 00 03

A Sallad from Mason's Garden 00 01 00

Taylor's man 00 01 00

10. Pd my Predecessr Mr Dickens 03 12 00

To be repaid by my success1"

11. Took a Commons in port-mead 00 07 06

Sallad from Mason's 00 00 06

Odd matters 00 00 08

13. Extraordinary Choral night 00 01 00

For reading the 3rd & 4th Vol: of Amelia 00. 00 06

14. M™ Croke's man 00 01 00

16. Large Pier-Glass, second-hand, from London, bought

by Jenny Croke 03 10 00

Packing, & Carriage 00 06 00

Porterage 00 00 OH

3 Eggs from Cook's shop 00 00 03

18. Sallad from Mason's 00 00 06

Gave Mr Parker's man of Trin: Coll: 00 01 00

18. 3 pair of black ribbed-stockings 00 18 00

19. Spent at Engham 00 01 00

Mouse-trap, & two Oranges 00 00 09

Carried forward . . 30 02 03

318 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUKT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 30 02 03

Apr. 20. Present to the Vice-Chan: a loaf of Double Refin:

Sugar 7 Ibs. at 13d 00 07 07

With six bottles of Wine,

20. Brother Chapman's Man 00 01 00

Quire of whited-brown paper 00 00 04

Plate of Olives 00 01 00

Radishes 00 00 02

Bottle of Ink 00 00 03

2 Sevil Oranges 00 00 02

A riding Cane 00 00 06

25. Going to Bensington to meet Sister Becky*, & Mr

Snooke 00 03 (X

26. M*8 Croke's man 00 01 00

President of Trinity's man 00 01 00

27. Choral night 00 01 00

Raisins & almonds 00 00 06

Plate of Olives 00 02 06

Mr Dike's man of Ch: Ch: 00 01 00

Shewing Sister Becky Radclif's Library 00 01 00

29. A Sallad from Mason 00 00 09

Loaf of Single refined Sugar 9 Ibs. at 9d 00 07 01

Gave Brother Barker's Coachman for his care of

Mouse, while he wintered in Rutland 00 02 06

Mrs. Croke's Man 00 01 00

Shewing Sister Becky great Tom .. . 00 00 06

30. Going to Woodstock with Sister Becky in her way

to Rutland ." 00 05 00

Shewing my Sister the Picture Gallery 00 01 00

2 doz. of Corks 00 00 04

May 1. Mr Dickens's Man 00 01 00

Coffee-House 00 00 06

2. Odd matters 00 00 04

3. Provost's man 00 01 00

Spent in journey to London to settle Mr Holt's Ex-

ecutorship -matters with Mr Butcher, & to Sun-
bury, & Selborn, from May 4 to May 26 04 19 09

Cast Sheffield Razor of Will: Yalden 00 01 06

2 Tea Canisters 00 00 08

9. Pd Share of the expence for Mr Butcher's release

when we settled accounts , , . 00 10 06

Carried forward 37 17 08£

* [His sister Rebecca, who married Henry Woods, Esq./of Shopwyke
House, near Chichester.— T. B.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK 319

Li: s: d:

1 7'>:>. Brought forward ...................... 37 17 08£

May 9. Gratuity, my Share to I)09 Clerks ................ 00 13 01^

21. Pr of Shoes of Geo. Tanner .................... 00 05 08

27. Coffee-house, & M™ Croke's Man ................ 00 01 06

28. Gardener at the Physick-Garden ................ 00 01 CO

Coffee house .................................. 00 00 04

Gave Black Jack .............................. 00 01 00

4 Lettuce from Mason's ........................ 00 00 06

June 1. Large Iron-Uhafingdish ........................ 00 02 06

Going to the Concert .......................... 00 01 00

6 Bottles of Olives bought by Benjn in London at
2s. 6d. p'1 bot. & pack: 6d ..................... 00 15 06

Seeds by Do ................................. 00 00 09

2. Ray's History of ye Rebell: in 1745 .............. 00 03 0(5

Pot of Coffee, & Br: & Butter .................. 00 01 02

Coffee-House ................................ 00 00 0(5

Shewing Nanny Yalden, Benjn & Will: Yalden * the

Museum, & Magd. Coll: ...................... 00 01 06

4. Shewing N: Yalden Monday's Organ ............ 00 02 00

Charcoal .................................... 00 02 02

Odd matters paid for by Joe .................... 00 03 01

o, <5. Expences in going to Stow Gardens, Sr 01: Cotterels,

& Blenheim with Nan: Yalden, Benjn &c ....... 00 15 06

Pair of Woodstock Gloves ...................... 00 02 00

9. Vice-Chancr8 man ............................ 00 01 00

Basket of Strawberries ........................ 00 00 04

Coffee-House, & Strawberries .................. 00 00 10

2 Lettuce, & oatmeal .......................... 00 00 04£

14. The President of Trinity's man .................. 00 01 .00

A Lobster .................................... 00 01 02

Lettuce, & Cream ............................ 00 00 Oo

L~>. The Concert, choral night ...................... 00 01 00

A Tart ...................................... 00 00 03

16. Mr Chapman, Broth' Proct™ man ................ 00 01 00

17. Nash of Worcester's man ...................... 00 01 06

Cherries, & Strawberries ...................... 00 00 10

19. Strawberries, & Lettuce ........................ 00 00 08

Gardener at the Physic-Garden ................ 00 00 06

19. Carriage of Olives, & porter .................... 00 01 02

Carried forward .................... 42 03

* [Children of the Vicar of Newton Valence and his own brother
Benjamin.— T. B.]

320 G1LBEKT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 42 03 1C £

June 19. Shewing- Mr & Mrs Whiston All: Souls Library* . . 00 01 00

Coffee-House 00 00 08

19. Punch for Bappy Isaacf 00 02 00

Coffee, Candles, & milk 00 01 02|

Coffee , 00 00 05^

29. Gave ye Drawer at ye Blue Boar at ye Barbers Feast 00 01 00

30. Gave an old man 00 00 06

Hogshead of Cyder from the Southams of Devon j

brought in April 27 04 00 00

Car: in London to the Carrier 00 02 00

Car: from London to Oxon by the waggon 00 15 00

Porterage into the Cellar 00 02 00

30. A Crab, Lettuce, & Milk 00 01 01£

July 1. Coffee-House, & raspberries 00 01 03^

2. Vice-Chan: Man at Commemoration-Dinner 00 01 00

Tom Warton's Commem: Ode 00 00 06

3. Gave at Phy sick-Garden 00 01 00

Fruit 00 00 06

Bell & wire 00 01 00

Coffee-House: tooth-powder 00 01 06

5. Gave at St. Ebbe's Church at the Sacrament which

I received to qualify me for my office 00 01 00

Stamped parchment instrument 00 01 04

Gave the Clerk, & other Witness 00 02 00

Fee at the sitting when I took the oaths 00 04 00

6. Provost's man : & weekly concert 00 02 00

Coffee-House 00 00 09

8. Dr Wanley, the Compound1" of Worcester's Servant 00 01 00

9. Gave Dr Goddard's man when I sold my mare 00 01 00

9. Gave the Judges' servants 00 02 00

Gave Barret's man 00 02 00

10. Gave Bat Piegley's man 00 01 00

Punch for Mr Mulso, & Tom J 00 01 06

13. Gave Black Jack, who broke his leg 00 01 00

Odd matters bought by Joe 00 01 05

14. Gave Vice-Chan: man 00 01 00

15. Black leathern-breeches with linings 00 12 00

Carried forward 49 12 07

* [Mr. Whiston was a descendant of the celebrated William Whiston,
who was uncle to Mr. Barker. See memoir. — T. B.]
t [His cousin.— T. B.]
J [The father and brother of Mrs. Chapone. See memoir. — T. B.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 321

Li: K d:

Brought forward 49 12 07

July 16. Pd for 6 fan-back'd chairs, with leathern bottoms . . 03 12 00

For two great-armed Ditto 01 16 00

Butter print for my Un: White 00 02 00

17. Pd Common-room bill for Port, & Madeira to July

ye 4th 03 14 07

18. Pd Barret's Bill for keeping ye Mare, & Black

Horse j & some Hire: to June 23rd 04 10 00

17. Punch for Bappy Isaac 00 02 00

Quire of paper 00 01 00

Odd matters bought by Joe 00 00 05±

20. Farrier's Bill for shoing to that time 00 09 04

20. Barret's Bill for keeping Horse to that time 01 02 06

20. 200 of Broccoli plants, & basket 00 02 04

Elder Rob, & conserve of Hips 00 00 08

20. 21. Expenses from Oxon, to Selborn 00 09 06

Barret's portmanteau- Horse 00 10 00

22. Joe's Expenses back to Oxon 00 03 02

Selborn.

23. Dr Bristow's man 00 01 00

23. Bleeding Mouse 00 00 06

Sending Jack Wells to Alton, & Bradley 00 00 09

John Carpenter's Horse to Bradley 00 00 06

25. Robin Tull in the Garden 00 03 06

27. Two loads of Hay laid up in my Father's rick 02 06 00

A Quarter of Oats from Dr Bristow 00 16 00

28. 29. Going to meet Dr Bentham, & Mr Earners at Alton ;

and going with ym to Farnham 00 14 05

30. Mr Hinton's man of Chawton 00 01 00

Aug* 1. Mr Battin's man 00 01 00

Jack Wells, an errand 00 00 02

3. Pair of Shoes from George Tanner 00 05 06

4. Mouse, two shoes before, remove behind 00 01 03

4. Gave my Un: White's servants 00 02 00

Oxon.
5. 6. Spent in Journey thither without a Servnt to meet

the Mulsos 00 07 01

7. Fruit 00 00 08

8. Horse at Woodstock : yc Mulsos treated 000006

Punch for the Mulsos 00 05 00

Shewing Wadham Chappel to D° 00 00 06

Weekly Concert 00 01 00

11. 12. Expenses to Stow Gardens with ye Mulsos 00 14 01

Carried forward 72 10 06$

VOL. II. Y

322 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 72 10 06i

Augt Fruit 00 00 06

11. 12. Oxon Butter Print, a present for Mrs Batten 00 02 00

13. A square Cap, at my going into Office 00 07 00

Hat for myself, at D° 00 15 00

Two Hats for my men at D° 01 00 00

Hat box 00 00 06

Fruit 00 00 03

15. Pair of Shoes of Remmet's man 00 07 00

15. Parson's bill, for Glasses, and stoneware 01 19 06

16. Mrs Croke's man '. 00 01 00

Gardener at ye Physic Garden for two melons .... 00 01 00
Spinage-seed, garlick, & half a Gallon of Mazagon

Beans from Mason yc Garden1" 00 01 04

Keeping Horse at Barret's, & shoing 00 09 10

17. Mrs "Witherington for painting my room, & a Hearth

Cloth 01 16 00

Gave Bet Bull 00 01 00

17. Barret's Boy 00 00 06

Odd matters bought by Joe 00 01 05£

Quire of wrapping-paper , 00 00 04

Gave the porter 00 00 06

17. 18. Spent in Journey to Selborn 00 12 02

Portmanteau Horse to D° 00 10 00

Joes expences back 00 03 06

Selborn.

20. John Neal mending Cloaths 00 00 11

Six pounds of shot 00 01 00

22. Jack Wells to Bradley 00 00 06

Tanner's Horse to D° 00 01 00

Goody Tolvery for washing 00 00 08

Robin Tull for 300 Savoy plants 00 01 06

27. John Lasham bringing Sr: Becky's Letter 00 01 06

28. Mr Batten's Butler 00 01 00

31. Meeting Jenny Croke, & Sister Becky at Basingstoke 00 18 06

Septemr Pd then my Sister Becky what my Brother Barker
14 N.S. expended for Mouse's winter's run, farriering, &

shoeing in Rutland 02 14 02|

Half pound of Gunpowder 00 00 08

Mending breeches 00 00 04

19. Mouse remov'd all round at Bradley 00 00 06

William for cleaning my Gun 00 00 06

22. Mr Batten's Butler . . 00 01 00

Carried forward , , , , 85 04 08^

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 323

Li: s: d:

1 7-VJ. Brought forward 85 04 08£

Septr 22. Gave Tom Ruff'el for shewing me some quails .... 00 00 06

Bill Cosens to hold up her head 00 00 06

26. Servants at Bradley 00 02 00

Corn at Alton, & chambering saddle 00 01 00

Mending Girth 00 00 06

29. Gave towards my Br: John's Ziczac up the Arbour

Hill 00 01 00

Octob1' 1. Sent R: Tolvery with my Father's mare from Selborn

to Bradley 00 01 00

Two 100 of tacking nails 00 00 08

6. Mrs Yalden's maid 00 01 00

7. A petticoat for lull's naked wench 00 02 06

13. Mr Batten's Servants 00 02 00

14. Beckhurst, 4 days & half in ye Garden 00 04 06

13. Set of Shoes for Mouse, one bar 00 02 06

15. Gave the old man at Mr Henley's Gate 00 00 06

Second Subscript" to the Ziczac 00 01 00

Sending Boy to Alton 00 00 03

18. Gave Dr Bristow's Servant 00 01 00

Lost at Commerce 00 01 00

10. Mending Cloaths 00 01 00

20. Gave among the poor of Selborn 00 13 00

Ned Aldred for shaving 00 00 06

Jenny Baker for mending shirts 00 01 03

Dame Turner for washing &c 00 01 00

Oxon.

25. 26. Spent in Journey from Selborn to Oxon in a post-
chaise with Jenny Croke 01 03 11

25. Gave Jenny Croke a round China-turene, being pre-
vented paying for yc post-chaise 01 16 04

The post-boy 00 02 06

29. Hire of Horse to Glimton 00 02 00

President of Trinity's man, & Ostler 00 01 06

30. As Junr Proctor, to the Savilian Profess™ 04 10 00

30. The Concert, choral night 00 01 00

Coffee House 00 01 03

31. Pair of Norway-Doe Gloves 00 01 08

31. Mr Nash's Servant, & Coffee house 00 01 04

Novemr4 Coffee-House 00 00 08

5. Sacrament at St. Maries Is. M™ Croke's man Is 00 02 00

Bottle of ink 00 00 03

6. Lost at Cards in the Common-room. . . 00 01 00

Carried forward 95 10 03|

Y2

324 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 95 10 03£

Novr 8. Coffee-House 00 00 06

8. Vice-Chan: man 00 01 00

Pair of yarn Gloves 00 01 00

10. Gave Black Jack, who broke his leg 00 01 00

11. 4 bottles of French-Olives from London 00 15 00

Quart of fine oyl, & stone bottle 00 02 10

Quart of vinegar, bottle, & basket 00 01 02

2 Westmoreland Hams, w* 35 Ibs. at 7d 01 00 05

6 pd of Sturgeon, pan, & basket 00 08 00

13. Choral-night, & Coffee-house 00 02 00

14. A door-mat 00 00 04

Two pounds of common Candles 00 00 11

Odd matters 00 00 04*

15. Horse-hire to Woodstock 00 02 00

Spent there 00 02 07

16. Shewing Mrs Lort Radclifs Library 00 01 00

A small lanthorn 00 01 04

17. Car: & porterage of the above things fm London 00 03 04

Taylor ye Carpenter's bill for Jobs 00 14 00

Dumb bell in my mens room 00 05 00

17. 2 cut-top'd Cruets 00 03 00

17. Mason's Bill for Hearth-stone, &c 01 15 06

17. Bought from Woodstock turn-pike, a small beautiful
liver-coloured Spaniel-Bitch* of the Blenheim-
breed, one year old 00 07 06

19. Gave at the Sacrament 00 01 00

21. Horse-hire for an airing 00 02 00

22. Gave the printer, who brought my present of six

Oxon- Almanacks 00 01 00

23. Mr Biesley's man 00 01 00

24. Sadler's Bill for Horse-cloth, &c 01 00 00

25. Half pound of Souchong from H: Woods 00 04 00

Car: & port: of Turene, & tea 00 01 01

Box for the Turene, & Canister 00 00 10

26. Mrs Croke's Servant 00 01 00

27. Pair of ribbed yarn stockings 00 02 06

27. Concert, Choral night 00 01 00

28. Provost's man 00 01 00

30. Coffee-house 00 00 08

Decr 1. Plaisterer's bill for white-washing, &c 00 04 06

Carried forward 104 01

* [Fairey Queen.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 32o

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 1040108

Decr 2. Taylor's Bill for Proctor's Gown, Cassock, mens suits,

mens Cloaks, &c: 03 08 00

2. Dr Durnfort's, Gr: Compr of Wadham CoU: man . . 00 01 00

3. President of Trinity's man 00 01 00

Candles 00 02 01

4. Paid Boswell in part for altering Br: Harry's study

into a Servants room 01 01 00

5. Iron-monger's Bill, for cleaning Grate, &c: 00 11 06

A trivet, & fork from D° 00 05 00

5. Lost at Cards 00 01 00

6. Com: room wine-bill from July 7th to Decr 6 01 18 05

6. Battles* in Lady-Day Quartr 01 15 11

„ in Midsumr Quartr 12 14 08

„ in Mich: Quartr 07 15 02

Odd matters 00 00 03

7. Coffee House 00 00 08

8. Coffee-House 00 00 04

10. M™ Croke's man 00 01 00

11. Mr Nash's man 00 01 00

14. Oxon Almanack & 3 explanations 00 01 01£

D° & 1 DO 00 01 00^

14. Provost's man 00 01 00

Lost at Cards 00 01 00

15. President of Trinity's man 00 01 00

16. Mending Barret's saddle which I borrowed 00 01 04

18. 1 Quart of white Dutch kidney-beans 00 01 00

18. Bet Bull's bill for cream, bread, & butter, making

towels, &c: to Decemr 13th 00 10 11

Mrs Croke's Bill for 20 yards of blue check'd-linen

for window-curtains at 20d 01 13 04

18. Pd Mr Ward for putting-up draw-Curtains 01 11 09

„ to D° for a Cushion 00 03 03

M™ Croke's bill, for two cloth-frocks, one D° waist-
coat, pr of sheets, 3 table cloths, &c: 10 19 06

Her Bill for Proctor's Velvet-sleeves, silk grogram

cassock, silk sash, &c: 10 13 10

Her bill for two mens broad-cloth suits, & cloaks, &

pr of stockings each 13 08 05

18. 5 doz: of Corks to bottle out the bottom of my hogs-
head of Cyder 00 00 10

18. Men, pair of Shoes each 00 10 00

Carried forward 173 19 00

* [The name for College bills. Usually spelt battels.— T. B.]

326 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1752. Brought forward 173 19 00

Decr 19. Flask of Ink for my Father 00 01 03

18. 19. Boy, & Horses at Barret's 00 03 10

Barber Xmas Box 00 01 00

Barret's man 00 01 00

Coffee House 00 00 08

17. 18. Boy's expences from Selborn to Oxon 00 01 07

Bull's maid 00 01 00

Bradley and Selborn.

19. 20. Expences on the road f m Oxon to Bradley 00 10 00

Boy's Hire 00 03 06

24. Gave John Appleton at Bradley 00 01 00

25. „ Goodman Townsend at Swarraton 00 01 00

27. Third subscription to the Zigzag 00 03 00

Trimming little Jack, given me by my Uncle White 00 00 06

29. Mr Johnson'n maid, & lost at Cards 00 01 02

Velvet for Cape to a Frock 00 01 06

Mending a frock 00 00 06

Advertising, & crying Fairey 00 03 06

Reward to Bernard Bailey at Swallowfield, whether

she was strolled 00 07 00

News-man for bringing her to Selborn 00 01 00

1753.
Jan: Letters about her, & sending ye Oxon news- man out

of his way 00 01 08

1. Mending powder-horn, & girth 00 00 03

2. Mouse remove, & second-hand shoe 00 00 07

2. Ten yards of Irish from Lee, at 3s pr yd 01 10 00

Two thirds of Lawn at 6s pr yard 00 04 00

Thread, tape, & buttons 00 00 07

Jenny Baker making three shirts 00 03 00

Making three stocks 00 00 06

2. Lost at Cards 00 01 06

4. 4 pounds of shot, & quartr pd of powder 00 01 00

Will: Carpenter two Days, & half in Garden 00 02 06

Lost at Cards 00 00 06

Lost at Cards 00 00 06

10. Gave my Un: White's maid 00 01 00

Washing at Bradley, & Selborn 00 01 01

Boy to Oakhanger 00 00 02

10. Tanner for soling, &c: a pair of thick shoes 00 01 03

12. Lost at Goose 00 00 06

13. 2 Quarts of early-pease, & an ounce & half of Carrot-

fm Farnharn ; . . 00 01 04

Carried forward . 178 15 00

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 327

Li: B: d:
1753. Brought forward .................... 178 15 00

Jan: 13. Half gallon of broad-beans ...................... 00 00 03

13. A small saddle bought of Tanner ................ 00 06 00

15. Will: Carpenter in the Garden .................. 00 01 00

Peck of Barley-meal for Fairey .................. 00 00 OG£

17. Gave Mr Newlin's maid ........................ 00 01 00

Lost at Cards ................................ 00 01 00

18. Sent Boy to Oakhanger ........................ 00 00 02

19. Leek, radish, and parsley-seed f " Farnham ........ 00 00 08

19. Removing little Jack's shoes .................... 00 00 00

24. Will: Carpenter in the Garden .................. 00 01 00

24. Tanner soling thick shoes ...................... 00 01 02

„ Chrystal to a watch .................... 00 01 00

„ mending Fairey Queen's Collar ............ 00 00 04

26. Sent boy to Hawkley about Grass for Jack ........ 00 00 03

Lost at Cards ................................ 00 00 05

27. Gave Tanner for putting Mouse to winter ........ 00 01 00

28. Gave my Un: White's Servants .................. 00 02 00

28. Gave Mr Batten's D°: lay at his house ............ 00 03 00

29. Hire of Tanner's mare to Reading ................ 00 02 00

Hire of Jack Wells to D° ...................... 00 01 06

Tint of ale, & turnpike ........................ 00 00 03 £

30. Boy's expences back .......................... 00 01 04

30. Expences at Reading .......................... 00 10 07

30. Post-chaise to Bensington. & Boy I8 ............ 00 12 03

Spent at D° .................................. 00 00 09

Return post-chaise from D° to Oxon .............. 00 04 00

Boy ........................................ 00 00 06

Oxon. Cook's shop .................................. 00 00 06

31. Bed at Blue Boar, & Chamber-maid ............ 00 01 06

Feb: 3. Plate of cold veal from Cook's shop .............. 00 00 04

4. Gave Mrs Croke's man .......................... 00 01 00

5. Gave little Xtian .............................. 00 01 00

0. „ Mr Nash's Man of Worcester Coll: .......... 00 01 00

Odd matters .................................. 00 00 04

7. Gave Barret for the use of his Saddle ............ 00 01 00

9. Mr Chapman's man ................... .' ........ 00 01 00

10. Gave old Bull for Xmass-box .................... 00 02 06

Washing-bason .............................. 00 01 00

14. Paid Mrs Barnes's Bill for wood and coal to Feb: 5. . 03 11 06
13. Bowl of Punch for the Master, Wardens, &c: of the

Barber's Company .......................... 00 02 06

Pipes, & tobacco for D° ........................ 00 00 07 £

Carried forward . .......... 185 15

328 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 185 15 09^

Feb: 13. Pound of Candles; & oatmeal 00 00 07

15. Spent at the King's Head ; being obliged to be much

in ye High-street on account of an Election-treat 00 04 06

17. Coffee-House 00 00 05

19. Paid for the paper of Mr Kennicott's dissertation on

1st Chron: ii. Chap 00 01 02

Binding D° 00 00 06

2 sticks of sealing-wax 00 00 06

19. Concert, common night 00 01 00

Coffee-house 00 00 04|

22. Gave Craddock's maid, who brought me Mr NowelTs

present of 2 brace of woodcocks 00 01 00

Gave a sick man 00 00 06

26. Concert, Choral-night ; & Coffee-house 00 02 00

March l.Lowth's Lectures stitched in paper, a present to Mr

Scrope of Castle-comb 00 12 06

Car: of D° 00 00 06

Oysters 00 00 02

3. Coffee-House 00 00 04|

4. Provost's man 00 01 00

5. Oysters 00 00 03

6. Gave a poor Frank from Constantinople 00 00 06

7. Coffee-House, an evening 00 01 06

8. Pr of strong shoes from Rernmet's man 00 07 00

8. Gave Judge's Servants 00 02 00

9. „ the Girl at Mr Mulso's Lodgings 00 01 00

10. Coffee-house 00 00 06

11. Gave the Printer who brought the lent-scheme .... 00 01 00

11. Mrs Croke's man 00 01 00

12. A Sallad from Mason's 00 00 06

12. Subscription to the Concert for 1753 00 10 06

12. Common-night 00 01 00

For Candles, & brown-paper 00 01 02

Odd matters 00 00 06|

13. Gave Mr Bosworth's Servant 00 01 00

16. Mr Nash's Servant 00 01 00

17. Coffee-house. , 00 00 05

17. Pair of large silver-buckles 00 17 00

19. Paid for the paper of Lowth's Poet1 lectures 00 02 02

For D° of Holloway's Letter & spirit 00 01 01

19. Binding both 00 01 06

Quire of paper 00 01 00

Carried forward . 189 16 06

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 329

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 189 16 OG

Mar: 19. The Concert 00 01 00

21. A Commons on Port-mead 00 07 06

Coffee-house 00 00 04

24. Oysters for Mr Nash 00 00 10

26. Common Concert j & a negus 00 01 04

Putting piece of flannel in riding breech8 000006

28. Gave Mr Burrough's man of Trin: 00 01 00

30. Paid Mr Benjn Burrough, Junr of the Act, for 64

Regent A:M: at 1s 3d pr man 04 00 00

30. Gave Mr Gearing's man of Trinity 00 01 00

Tooth-powder ". 00 00 04

Apr: 1. Gave Mrs Croke's man 00 01 00

Quarter of a pound of Bohea 00 02 00

Carpenter's Job 00 00 03

4. Pr of thick shoes 00 07 00

Sausages j & gave away 00 01 00

5. Shewing Brothr Tho8 Physick-Garden 00 01 00

6. Shewing D° the Theatre 00 01 00

Sallad, & fruit 00 00 08

9. Horse hire to Chalgrave, & M" D: Servant 00 03 00

10. Candles, & odd matters bl by Joe 00 03 03|

2 Quarts of marrow-fat pease 00 01 00

Ink, & quills 00 00 07

11. Mr Nash's man, & Coffee-House 00 01 04

Gave Cook th,e Gardener 00 00 06

12. Horse-hire to Woodstock wth Br: Tho: 00 02 00

Spent there 00 05 08

13. Spent at ye 3 Goats in a party 00 02 06

12. 13. Will: Deweys expences with Mouse, & John Carpen-
ter's Horse to Oxon 00 06 00

Odd matters bought by Joe 00 00 07

14. Mouse 2 new shoes before, 1 bar 00 01 02

Expences for Boy, & horses at Barret's 00 02 00

Gave Barret's man 00 01 00

Coffee-house 00 00 02

14. Pr of tan-leather boot-straps 00 01 06

Paid more at Barret's 00 01 10

14. 15. Expences from Oxon to Selborn 00 09 09

Boy's hire, and little Horse 00 06 06

Selborn.

Removing Mouse before his Journey 00 00 06

Br: Tho: seeds fm London . . 00 04 00

Carried forward 197 19 01 £

330 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward .' 197 19 01 £

Apr: 20. Men in the Garden 00 07 06

Gave my Father's man 00 02 00

Jenny Baker mending- shirts 00 01 CO

Sending Boy to Hawkley, & Newton 00 00 05

Paper,& oil for Hot-bed 00 00 03

Mending Cloaths 00 00 03

Mouse 20 weeks run in Mr Butler's Grounds at 6d pr

week 00 10 00

Little Jack 10 weeks, at Merchants at Hawkley at

D° . 00 05 00

Gave Merchant's boy 00 00 06

20. 2 Silver, & 1 Scotch fir, planted in the upper end of

the Ewel-Close 00 01 06

23. 24. Spent in Journey from Bradley to Oxon 00 09 06

Gave Timothy Pound at Speenham 00 01 00

Oxon.

25. The Provost's, & Mrs Croke's Servant 00 02 00

26. Gave at Charity Sermon 00 00 06

27. Gave Barber 00 00 03

28. Gave Xtian Motley for making Bro: Tho: Bed in

Harry's room 00 02 06

29. Gave Mr Carne's servant 00 01 00

30. „ at the Sacrament at St. Mary's 00 01 00

30. Paid Boswel for altering Harry's study into a ser-
vant's room; which with £1 1s Od paid before is in

full 00 12 00

Half pound of Sugar 00 00 06

30. Concert, choral night 00 01 00

1. Gave at the Physick-Garden 00 00 06

Provost's man 00 01 00

2. Mr Twynehoe's man. Went out of my office 00 01 00

4. Gave Mr Jennings's servant 00 01 00

Battles* in S' Tho: Quart' 1752 04 18 11

„ in Lady-Day Quart1" 1753 04 13 02

Pd Mr Diesley of Trin: my Sr Pro: for his assistance

being defrauded of the Logic-Lectureship 21 00 00

4. Bowl of Punch for the Proctors 00 02 06

Quart1 of pd of Bohea 00 01 09

4. Half Hogshead of South am-Cyder as a present to my

Father 01 17 06

Half Hogsh: of D° to my Uncle White 01 17 06

Carried forward 235 15 09f

* [See note, p. 325.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 331

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward , . 235 15 00^

May 4. Cartage in London to the Waggon 00 02 02

Biscuits at the Vice-Chan: at settling accounts .... 00 01 02

To Mr Beaver, & Freeman for chanting 01 01 00

Bet: Bull bed-making for the year 01 00 00

Mr Benjn Burrough 3 Regents-fees 00 03 09

Keeping & breeding-up two of Mab's puppies 00 11 04

Xtian Motley 3 quart1'8 washing 03 03 00

Taylor's Bill 00 12 09

Keeping Horse one week 00 06 00

Shaving in Proctrs year 01 02 06

Wood, & coals 02 00 04

Exceedings in S* Tho: Quart1" 01 06 11

„ in L: Day 01 00 02

£248 04 08

Money received from my Fellowship, fyc.: 1754.

Li: s: d:

Octr 18. Of Mr Frewen Dividend due Nov: 1753 04 02 0

22. Of Mr Nowel, 1 Year's room rent to Midsumr 1754. . 08 08 0

1 Year's rent of 2nd room to Mich: 1754 05 00 0

By fines from Mander, Sr Treasr 26 05 8

By Dividend from D° 23 02 0

By Bal: from Mander in 1752: 1753 05 08 6

Savings in 1754 02 14 4

Dirge 00 01 0

Nov: 24. Surplice-fees at Durley 00 08 4

Decern1' For supplying Durley-Church an year from Septein1"

28. 9. 1753. to D° 1754 24 00 0

1755.

Man 9. For supplying D° half an year to yl time 12 00 0

£111 09 10

Money received. 1753. 1754.

June 3. From Mr Fyler for presenting him to yc Degree of

A:B: 01 01 00

From Mr Musgrave on his putting-on a Law-Gown. 01 01 00

From Mr Edgehill on D° 01 06 00

Library-fee from Mr Musgrave 00 05 00

Carried forward . 03 13 00

332 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 03 13 00

June 3. From Mr Nowel for A:M: Degree 01 01 00

Presenting Wickham, and Vaughan 02 02 00

Wickham's Library fee 00 05 00

Vaughan's D° 00 05 00

Fyler's D° 00 05 00

Octr 18. By 7 fines from Senr Treasr , . 38 4 00

Dividend from D° 21 0 00

Dean's Stipend 02 0 00

Livery 02 10 00

Mr De Chair's fee for presentation to Degree of M:A:

in Mich: term 1753 01 01 00

1754.

Feb: 25. Wedding at Durley 00 05 00

May 4. Mr Taylor's present: fee for A:M: Degree

Nov: 6. Wedding at Durley 00 05 00

12. Sold Mr Nowel 2 doz: of Mountain wine 02 02 00

£74 18 00

Money received arising from my Fellowship, Deanship, fyc., in
1752 # 1753.

Mar: 20. Brought with me from Selborn 19 17 6

July 9. Sold Flora, my little bay Mare 15 15 0

11. Received of Mr Bosworth Senr Treasurer 14 15 2

18. Bal: from Mr Davies late Treasurer 05 10 11

Novr 25. Sold Basil Cane a second-hand Saddle 00 10 06

Dec: 6. By Fines, & S* Luke's dividend of J: Bosworth 39 07 11

18. Salary as Collect1" Reditm 02 00 00

March. From Mr Bower for presenting to determine 00 10 06

1753. From Mr Wyat for D° 00 10 06

From Mr Still for present: to degree, & determ: 01 11 06

From D° as Librarian 00 06 06

24. A dirge from Sr Treasr 00 00 10

26. Mr Cane Law-gown, & Library fee 01 06 00

May 5. Presenting Mr Smith, & Library fee 01 06 00

22. From my Father ; lent him in 1750 12 03 06

£115 12 04

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 333

Money received arising from my Proctorship, 1752.

Easter-term.

Li: s: d:

May 27. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

28. From Proceed™ in Divinity in Easter-term 02 16 00

28. At examining the Musaeum 00 10 00

June 4. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

25. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

July 1. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

6. From three petty Comprs 000600

Act term : Mr. Eyton.

1 Med: Bac: Grand: Comp: 01 18 08

M:D: 2 D" act fees 01 06 08

64 Kegents fees 40 00 00

Act term : Mr. Beaver.

D:D:LL: non resid: 2 01 04 00

D:D: act fees 2 ". 01 06 08

B:LL: pet: Comp:. .1 00 12 00

B:B:LL: ord: 5 02 10 00

Act term : Mr. Walker.

1 B:D: G: C: 01 18 08

1 B:D: P: C: 00 12 00

3 B:D: Ordin: each ten shill: 01 10 00

1 D:D: G: C: 01 18 08

2 D:D: Pet: C: each 12s 01 04 00

1 D:D: Gr: Comp: act fees 01 06 08

7 D:D: act fees : each 13s 4d 04 13 04

Michaelmass-term.

Novr 4. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

8. For visiting at the Bodlean Library 02 10 00

Dec: 1. From a petty Compounder 00 02 00

18. From a petty Compr 00 02 00

Michaelmass-term : Mr. Walker.

2 B:D: G: C: each Li:l 18s. 8d 03 17 04

2 D:D: G: C: each Li:l 18s. 8d 03 17 04

1 B:D: Ordin: 00 10 00

1 D:D: Ordin: . . 00 12 00

Carried forward 77 14 06

334 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Mich. Term : Mr. Beaver.

Li: s: d:

Brought forward 77 14 06

1 B:L:L: Ord: 00 10 00

1 B:L:L: Non Comp: 00 12 00

2 D:L:L: 01 04 00

Mich. Term : Mr. Eyton.

1 Dr Phys: Grand Comp: 01 18 08

Act-fees for D° 01 06 08

Lent-term.

Mar: 13. From Determiners 00 02 00

16. From D° & 1 petty Compr 00 04 00

20. From D° 00 02 00

20. From 80 Determ: Batchrs at 4s pr man 16 00 00

21. From Determrs 00 02 00

23. From D° 00 02 00

29. 2 Gracious-days, & pet: Comp: 00 06 00

Apr: 3. Gracious Day ; 00 02 00

5. Gracious Day 00 02 00

6. Gracious Day 00 02 00

Mr. Beaver.
1B:LL: 00 12 00

Mr. Walker.

3 B:D: Pet: Comp: each 12 01 16 00 ;

1 D:D: 00 12 00

Mr. Eyton.

I D:M: 00 12 00

15 Determ: A:B: 03 00 00

May 14. Of the Vice-Chan: at settling our accounts at his

Lodgings 14 00 08

II Determ: A:B: omitted before 02 04 00

3 Regents fees D° 01 17 06

Out of a pract: Phys: licence 00 01 00

125 05 00

1 Regent's fee still due pd April: 1755 00 12 06

£125 17 06

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 335

The Reverend Mr. White to James Gibson Dr.

Li: e: d:

To 1 years Board due the 8th of September 1754 . . 20 0 0
serving his Church 3 Sundays at 9s 3d p Sunday,

which is in proportion to £24 a year 1 7 9

2 horse hires, to 2 Burials, when my horse was

lame.. 2 0

Recd in part 14 0 0

paid. Remains due £799^

Expences from May 2, 1753.
The day I icent out of my Proctorship.

Li: s: d:
M iy 5. Gave Mr Jennings's Sen\ant 00 01 00

6. Spent at Woodstock 00 01 03

Coffee-house 00 00 08

7. A Lobster for Cowper, & Skeeler &c: 00 00 11

9. Mr Proctr Robinson's man 00 01 00

11. Soling pair of Shoes 00 01 06

13. Gave Farm* Howel's man, & a poor woman at

Wolvercot : & Coffee-House 00 01 10|

13. 3 Coss-lettuce for yc President of Trin: &c 00 00 06

14. Concert, Choral-night 00 01 00

Coffee-house 00 00 06^

15. Vice-Chan™ Man 00 01 00

18. Mr Nash's man 00 01 00

Coffee-house twice : & Eynsham-ferry 00 01 07

20. Coffee-house 00 00 06

21. Coffee-house 00 00 08

22. M™ Darling's Boy ; & Cook's shop 00 00 09

23. Ferry, & Turnpike to Eynsham 00 00 03

26. Provost's man 00 01 00

Shearing Copper 00 00 06

27. President of Trin: man 00 01 00

28. Barret's man, & Porter 00 01 00

27. Candles, & odd matters by Joe 00 04 02^

Spent in Journey to London, Sunbury, & Selborn
from May 28 to June 28 05 00 08

Carried forward . . 06 04 04

336 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 06 04 04^

May 27. Cut-grizzle-wig in London 02 00 00

Offices of Burial &c: 00 01 00

June 29. Gave Will: Kelsey for coming up to carry down my

Dogs 00 14 00

Allowed to feed the Dogs 00 00 06

100 of Broccoli plants to send into ye country .... 00 01 00

Pr of dog-couples 00 01 00

29. Gave Mason for walking in his Garden this spring,

& last 00 05 00

Coffee-House, & tart &c 00 01 07

July 2. Concert, Choral night 00 01 00

Coffee-house 00 00 09

Bet Bull for Cream &c: 00 04 03

D° Quarter's Bed-making to Midsumr 1753 00 05 00

Gave D° 00 02 06

Coffee-House 00 00 08

Gave Knight the Shoemaker for describing Mr.

Holt's arms 00 01 00

Odd matters laid out by Joe 00 03 00±

6 weeks waiting by D° 00 06 00

5. Xtian Motley 1 quartrs washing in full to Midsumr

1753 01 01 00

Taylor's Bill till D° 00 08 03

7. Going to Wallingford to see Mrs Gifford 00 01 11

Coffee-house 00 00 10

Keeping Horse at Barrets to Midsumr 01 18 00

Coffee House , , 00 00 04

9. Odd matters bought by Joe 00 01 00

Barret's man 00 01 00

Seeing Dr Bacon's Gardens 00 01 00

Carr: of a trunk to Winton 00 02 06

9. Castle's portmanteau — Horse to Malford 00 14 00

Car: of Box from Winton 00 01 00

Expences in Journey to Malford; & a 5 weeks
season at the Hot well at Bristol from July 9: to

Aug: 30th* 16 12 00

Aug: 31. Powder-horn spring 00 01 00

Cleaning Gun 00 00 06

Carried forward 31 17 01

* [I find no intimation of any attack of illness which could have
necessitated this visit to these once celebrated waters. It is, however,
not improbable that his health might have been injured by the attack of
small-pox in 1747.— T. B.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 337

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 31 17 01

Aug: 31. Gun-powder 00 00 06

Expences at Petersfield 00 03 10

Sept: 10. A set of Shoes for Mouse 00 02 00

Tea at Waltham 00 00 06£

Sugar 00 00 08£

Mr Batten's Servant 00 01 00

Mending Cloaths 00 00 07

Powder & shot 00 01 08

Washing at Bradley, & Selborn 00 03 00

4 pecks of Barley-meal for Dogs 00 02 06

Savoys, & spinage-seed 00 01 01

17. Horse & Boy to Bradley 00 01 00

Beckhurst for watering firs 00 01 00

Keeping Horse at Walthani 00 06 07

Gallon of small beans from Oxon 00 02 00

3 pd of Shot .* . . . 00 00 03

20. Pr of Ram-skin breeches from Newbolt 00 08 00

Washing at Selborn 00 01 02|

Set of Shoes from Scrub 00 01 04

22. Boy to Waltham, & his expences 00 00 08

Odd matters 00 00 11

Washing 00 00 11

Hyson-tea, & sugar 00 01 07

Powder, & shot 00 01 00£

Gave Goody Fig 00 01 00

Octr 3. Days shooting, & Boy 00 01 06

Car: of Game to Mr Mulso 00 01 00

Mending of Linnen 00 00 10£

6. Gave Thomas 00 01 00

6. Gave Mr Gibson's Masons 00 01 00

Congo tea 00 00 06£

Keeping Horse to the 6th 00 04 08

Sep: 18. Six Gallons of Wine from Fareham at 58 6d pr Gall. 01 13 00

Car: to Waltham 00 01 06

Octr 8. Peck of Nonparels, & D° of Goldn rennets

Odd matters 00 00 05

Gave Baines's Ostler 00 01 00

Dog-chain 00 00 10

10.11.12. Journey to Southton with Sistr Becky, Harry, &

Will: Yalden 00 17 01

13. Set of Shoes for Mouse 00 02 00

13. Quartr of a pound of Congo 00 02 03

Pound of Gun-powder 00 01 02

Carried forward 37 11 10

VOL. II. Z

338 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 37 11 10

Octr 13. Washing at Waltham 00 01 01^

16. 19. Post-chaises to & from Basingstoke to Oxon when I

went to resign my Deanship 03 06 00

Drivers, ostlers, & turnpikes 00 08 01

Expences on the road 00 02 03

Horse left at Basingstoke, & bill there 00 08 07

17. Barber, washing, & Bedmakr at Oxon 00 03 00

Joe, & pofter 00 02 00

18. Mrs Croke's bill for Mastrs Gown, satten wastecoat,

Great-coat &c 07 03 00

Gave a sick man 00 01 00

M™ Costard's bill for shaving 00 12 06

Wood, & coal in spring 00 04 02

Taylor's Bill reckoned elsewhere 00 00 00

Common room wine 00 00 00

Battles * in Midsumr Quart1 1753 05 19 04

in Mich D° 00 18 11

Midsum' Exceedings 01 06 00

. 18. Mr Frewen reading in Chappel 00 04 00

Letter 00 00 04

18. Wood, & coal to air my room

21. Gave the Clark of Durley 00 01. 00

Miller's Gardener's Diction11? new edit: half bound in

exchange from Br: Benj: 01 14 06

Butler's Sermon's & analogy 00 11 00

Raij Methodus 00 03 06

25. From Lee at Alton 4 Yards £ fine diaper 00 09 00

40 Yds fine Irish for Shirts at 3s 06 00 00

1 Yd superfine d° 00 04 00

2£ Yds Long Lawn at 4s for stocks 00 10 00

1 Yd of D° for Bosoms 00 05 00

Keeping Horse at Waltham, &c 00 09 03

A monthly Grass for Scrub in Hartley ground .... 00 03 06

26. Set of Shoes for D° 00 01 06

Black leathern Breeches from Newbolt 00 12 00

Beckhust in the Garden 00 03 00

Mending Cloaths, & watch-string 00 01 08|

Barley-meal 00 00 08£

Gave G: Dotterel, & Tull 00 03 06~

27. Boy to Waltham 00 00 06

29. Washing at Bradley 00 01 03

Carried forward 70 07 00|

* [See note p. 325.]

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 339

Li: K d:

1753. Brought forward 70 07 00^

Ocf 29. Mr Batten's man 00 01 00

31. Sending Ruftel to Selborn for the spaniels 00 01 00

Pollard Bran for Dogs 00 00 03^

Nov: 3. Servants at Bradley 00 02 00

5. Mr Hampton's servant 00 01 00

Gave away 00 00 06

Powder & shot & paper 00 01 03£

Half pd of Sugar 00 00 04 g

7. Mr Allanson's man at Upham 00 01 00

9. Mr Hale's man, & spent at Hambledon 00 01 06

Odd matters 00 00 07

12. Barnes's ostler, Mr Yalden's Man 00 02 00

Gave Goodman Hammond 00 01 00

13. Soling Boots 00 01 03

Mending Shirts, & stocks 00 01 06

14. Piece of fine colour'd Cambrick of Mrs Croke for 6

Handk: at 48 each 01 04 00

» Mending my Frock 00 00 09£

Pd of Gun-powder from Johnson 00 01 04

Sending Girl to Oakhanger 00 00 03

Making 12 Shirts, & 12 Stocks 00 17 06

6 Handk: & 6 Caps 00 01 06

17. Spring to powder Horn, & gun-scrue 00 00 08

New webbing my Saddle-girths 00 01 06

Currier for suppling thick boots 00 01 00

19. Pint, & Quart Decanter a present to Bradley 00 02 06

24. Keeping Horse to that time 00 15 04

Boy spent at Waltham 00 00 07£

Meat, & meal for Dogs 00 01 06

19. Set of Shoes for Mouse ; & nailing &c 00 02 02

Yarn Gloves 00 00 08

24. Odd matters 00 00 02

Washing at Waltham 00 03 11

26. Lost at Cards I8 & ink 00 01 03

Dec: 2. Gave a man, & woman at Waltham 00 02 00

5. Soling a pair of Shoes 00 01 04

Odd matters 00 00 03£

5. 2 Ounces of Congo 00 01 0

6. 6. Mr Kent's, & Mr Clewer's servants 00 02 0

8. Pd Barber to that time 00 03 0

9. Horse to Durley : Mouse's heel bruised 00 01 0

10. Pr of yarn stockings, & yarn to lengthen them .... 00 01 8
Half Quire of paper 0000 5

Carried forward 75 12 8}

z2

340 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1753. Brought forward 75 12 8£

Dec: 10. Thread, tape, & shirt buttons for Shirts &c: 00 03 1

Beckhurst, & Tull's girl 00 00 9

Boy to Bradley 00 01 0

Sermon Case from Oxon 00 01 0

Quart of French beans from D° 00 00 9

Peck barley-meal j & mending breeches 00 01 2£

14. Gave Sarah Xmass 00 05 0

15. Gave Thomas 00 01 0

16. Gave a sick woman at Durley 00 01 0

18. Peck of pollard at Bradley ; & odd matters '0 00 5

22. Pd of Breakfast-sugar 00 00 8

26. Bohea, & Green-tea 00 02 2

29. Set of Shoes for Mouse 00 02 0

Spent at Alresford 00 01 0

1754. Washing at Bradley 00 00 9

Jan: 5. Gave Servants at Bradley 00 05 0

Odd matters 00 00 4

8. Gave M™ Hammond's maid j & lost at Cards 00 02 1£

11. Pr of yarn rib'd stockings 00 02 0

16. Letter from Bro: John 00 00 4

17. Quartr of a pound of Bohea 00 01 4

18. Mr Hampton's Servant: & letter fm B: Isaac 00 01 7

21. Quire of paper 00 00 9

22. Mr Yalden's servant 00 01 0

Beckhurst 00 01 6

Tanner's Jobs ; & shot 00 01 3

Mending Cloaths 00 01 6

Deal-plank of Edm: Yalden 00 03 6

John Carpenter making two frames for Cucumber-
lights 00 03 0

22:| square feet of Glass for Glazing D° 00 13 1

Mending an old one 00 01 2

26. Keeping Horse to that time 02 02 0

28. Washing to that time 00 03 4£

Bushel of Barley-meal for Dogs 00 02 6

Quarter of an Horse f or D° 00 00 6

Feb: 4. 2 Pds of Shot 00 00 5

6. Barber to that time 00 02 0

6. Gave a poor woman 00 01 0

Letters sent by the post 00 00 4

12. 6 pounds of Sturgeon from London 00 08 0

Car: to Wickham, & Waltham 00 01 4

Garden-seeds 00 01 5|

Carried forward 81 16 9

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 341

Li: a. d.

1754. Brought forward 81 16 9$

Feb.- 14. Sugar, & tea 00 03 4£

Dog-pan, & string 00 00 3£

14. Letter from Br Tho: 0000 4

15. Entertaining ye Waltham Gentry 00 17 4£

18. 23. Spent at Alresford to & from Bradley 00 00 10

21. Mr Stockwel's Servant 00 01 0

Quire of whited-brown paper 00 00 3£

Gave a poor old-man 00 01 0

25. Set of shoes ; & frost nails 00 02 2

Gave Baines's Ostler 00 02 0

Mending Cloaths j & errants 00 00 6

Mar. 1. Going with Ladies to puppet-shew 00 01 6

Letter from Brother Barker CO 00 7

4. Pd keeping horse to that time 01 12 0

Half Bushel of Barley meal 00 01 3

5. Mending Cloaths, & odd matters 0000 6

7. Half Bush: of B: meal at Selborn for dogs 00 01 3

8 pots for hot-beds 8d : & 4 cramps for frames .... 00 01 8

8. Work done in the Garden 00 09 6

9. Gave Sarah Xmass 00 02 6

11. Gave old John at Bradley j & washing 00 01 6

Powder, & shot I8 & seeds 5d 00 01 5

14. Mr Lisset's servant 00 01 Q

15. Cleaning watch 00 01 6

19. Mrs Yalden's maid 00 01 0

25. Car: of Box of Cloaths from Oxon to Winton, &

Waltham 00 02 7

Hat from Evans Oxon 00 15 0

Gave old Edgehill 00 01 0

Wristbanding shirts 0000 9

Tull in the Garden 00 02 0

Pease-haulm for screen to Cucumbers 00 01 4

Paper & oil for melon lights 00 01 0

Gave Will: Wells for cockshooting 00 01 0

Strengthening Cucum: frames 00 01 3

W7ashing at Selborn 00 01 11

WTebbing Girths at Alton 00 1 0

Half bush: of Barley meal 00 01 2

April 7. POOP Woman at Durley 00 02 3

8. Keeping Horse to that time 0009 0

Cucumr mats of Johnson 0000 4

11. Boy & expences to Northwarnboro' 00 00 10£

2 firs, 2 larches, 6 laurels from D° 00 03 (3

Carried forward . . 88 09 4

342 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1754. Brought forward 88 09 4

Apr: 11. Lost at Cards towards cleaning zigzag 00 01 6

Beckhust for work in Garden 00 04 0

New frame for a Cucumr Light 00 02 0

Odd matters 00 01 2

Seeds 00 00 6

21. Sunday j spent at Alresford ; Allenson's man mes-

senger to Durley 00 02 0

22. Barber to that time 0001 3

24. 11 foot & half of Glass for Cucumr light 00 OG 8

Spent at Botley 7 00 00 4

26. Sack of oats at Selborn 00 07 6

Half quire of paper 00 00 5

27. Boy to Waltham 00 00 6

29. Fitting-out, & sending little Horse to Mulso 00 04 10

8 Weeks grass for D° at Butlers 00 04 6

Set of shoes for Mouse 00 02 0

Ribband for watch ; & spent at Soberton 00 00 9

Gave old Lee 00 00 6

10. Work in the Garden 00 04 3

Half Bush: of Barley-meal 00 01 3

Small watering-pot 00 02 0

7 large flower-pots for Cockscombs 00 02 2

11. Little Horse returning from Sunbury 00 02 9

15. Gave Mr Dacres's Gardener 00 01 0

Barber 00 00 6

17. Tooth powder 00 01 0

18. Entertaining Ladies at the pond 00 00 8

19. Cauliflowers from Soberton 00 01 1^

18. Ounce of tea ; 00 01 2

Odd matters 00 00 6

G: Tanner helping about ye Cockscombs 00 01 0

Washing 00 01 6

24. Mr Newlin's Maid 00 01 0

25. Work in Garden 00 05 1

27. Keeping Horse; & dogs to that time 00 19 Hi

Wine at Barnes's 00 01 G

Apothecary's bill for Rhubarb, tooth-powdr 00 04 6

27. Spent at Alresford 00 00 6

28. Mr Batten's servant 00 01 0

30. Spent at Visitation at Alton 00 04 6

81. Servants at Bradley 00 02 0

Cabbadge plants 00 01 3

Carried forward . . 93 11 11

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 343

Li: a: d:

1754. Brought forward ...................... 93 11 11

May 31. Two pots .................................... 00 00 4

June 3. Hund: of Savoys at Walthain .................. 0000 6

3. Keeping Horse to that time .................... 00 02 0

3. Boy to Walthain, & Horse ...................... 00 02 5£

Letter ...................................... 00 00 6£

5. Trimming Mouse .............................. 00 01 0

Gave Will: Marshal .......................... 00 01 0

Painting bench, & Gate in Father's field .......... 00 04 4

6. Working in Garden ............................ 00 02 6

Letter, & Soap ................................ 00 00 4±

7. Barley rneal .................................. 00 01 2

Journey to London, & Sunbury from June 7th to

ye 28 ...................................... 04 04 5

Large Mahogany table from London a present to

Un: White ................................ 03 03 0

Packing D° .................................. 00 01 6

A Bonnet & tippet from D° for Polly Gibson ...... 00 07 6

Sending a puppy to Bradley, &c ................. 00 01 6

July 1. Set of Shoes, remove, & oiling Hs shoulder ........ 00 03 0

Sending to Hill pound ........................ 00 01 0

Black leathern breeches begin: of June .......... 00 12 0

Half Bushel of Barley-meal .................... 00 01 1£

5. Pr of Boots of Tanner .......................... 00 16 0

6. Work in Garden .............................. 00 01 0

Washing at Selborn ............................ 00 01 11

8. Mr Hampton's Servant ........................ 00 01 0

9. Spent at the Milberries ........................ 00 00 10^

10. 2 ounces of Congo ............................ 00 01 0

11. Mr Missen's Servant .......................... 0001 0

13. Pd Mre De la rose washing to that time .......... 00 00 2£

Odd matters .................................. 00 00 0

13. Spent at forest-green .......................... 00 01 0

14. Mr Allanson's Man ............................ 00 01 0

15. Sending to Hill-pound ........................ 0000 6

15. 20. Spent at Alresford ............................ 0000 8

Washing at Bradley .......................... 00 00 6

18. 19. Spent at Basingstoke race ...................... 00 01 5

Work in the field .............................. 00 01 0

Soling pr of shoes .............................. 00 01 2

Car: of Broccoli to Alton ...................... 00 01 0

26. Gave Goodman Grant at Swarraton .............. 00 01 0

27. Servants at Bradley ................. ........... 00 05 0

Carried forward . 105 06 11

S44 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1754. Brought forward 105 06 11

July 27. Gave away 00 00 6

Spent at Alresford 00 00 4

Odd matters 00 00 6

Jul: 30 to

Aug: 3. Servants at Chilgrove & Chichester 00 06 0

Gave at seeing needle-making at D° 00 01 0

6. Removing Mouse's shoes 00 00 6

Odd matters 00 00 9

Gave away 00 01 0

12. M> Cutler's Servants 00 02 0

2 ounces of Spinach-seed 00 00 3

13. Gave Thomas for cutting first Melon 00 02 6

Barley meal 00 01 1£

Mending Cloaths 00 01 0

17. Tea, sugar, & letter 00 01 10

19. Gave old Lee 00 01 0

19. Set of Shoes for Mouse 00 02 0

19. Keeping Horse to that time 01 09 0

Gave Ostler 00 01 0

21. Boy & Horse to Bradley to carry a melon 00 01 6

Odd matters 00 01 1£

29. Gave old John at Bradley 00 01 0

30. Gave Mr Batten's man at returning Gun 00 01 0

Car: of Cloaths from Oxon 00 01 6

Septr 2. Tea, & letter 00 01 2

6 pds of shot 00 01 3

6. Mr Hampton's man 00 01 0

Gave away 00 01 0

Altering Cloaths 00 01 2

7. Going to Southampton 00 03 9

9. Powder, & shot ; & odd matters 00 03 0

13. Gave Sarah Xmass 00 02 6

21. Gave to sufferers by fire 00 01 0

26. Tun of Hay laid up in my Father's rick 01 12 6

15 Loads of melon-earth from Dorton 00 08 0

27. Odd matters to Octobr 14 01 01 11

Oct: 14. Post-chaises from Bradley to Oxon on Mr Whiting's

Death 02 06 3

Mr Nourse for attending on my Knee 00 10 6

Mr Malbon Apoth: bill in 1753 00 12 0

Taylor's Bill 01 09 0

Wine Bill in 1753 04 00 0

Carried forward . 121 01 4

GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK. 345

Li: s: d:

1754. Brought forward .................... 121 01 4

Oct: 14. Poundage to Mauder, & Beaver .................. * 01 05 5

Exceeding in Midsumr 1754 .................... 00 14 0

Reading in Chappel supply'd .................... 02 02 0

25. M™ Croke's bill to that time .................... 05 14 0

Barber, washing, waiting ...................... 00 16 0

Common room wine .......................... 00 11 11^

Coals, & wood, 6s 6d : & gave Bet: Bull 58 ........ 00 11 6

Pr of Indian Doe breeches from Haines .......... 00 1C 0

Odd necessary Expences at Oxon from Octobr 14: to

Novemr 15 ................................ 02 06 7

Nov: 15. Expences in post-chaises from Oxon to Bradley the
Day after Harry's Election to BP Robinson's Ex-

hibition .................................... 02 05 10

Pr of Boot-strapa .............................. 00 01 6

Odd matters .................................. 00 01 9£

18. Set of Shoes for Mouse, by Boxall .............. 00 02 0

18. Keeping Horse before Journey .................. 01 08 0

Wine at Baines's .............................. 00 01 9

Barley-meal .................................. 00 01 2

22. Altering & partly throwing open ye little Garden &

plot behind ................................ 00 07 0

23. Gave Thomas for looking after horse ............ 00 02 0

Odd matters .................................. 00 05 6

24. Clark at Durley for collecting surplice fees ........ 00 02 4

Allanson's, & Hampton's men .................. 00 02 0

Odd matters .................................. 00 02 1

Tea, & sugar .................................. 00 02 8

29. Washing to that time .......................... 00 08 2£

29. P* Gibson for a Year's board from Septemr 8th 1753:

D° 1754 .................................... 20 00 0

D° for supplying my Church 3 Sund: ............ 01 07 9

His Horse hire to Burials ...................... 00 02 0

30. Pd Mr Futcher for 55 dinners from Septemr 8th 1753:

to Septemr 8. 1754 .......................... 02 15 0

Dec. 1. A warm wastecoat for old Lee .................. 00 02 0

3. Two large pullets .............................. 00 01 6

3. Mr Guernier's Gardener for melon-seeds .......... 00 02 6

Odd matters .................................. 00 02 9£

9. Shoes, & removes, & cleaning Gun .............. 00 02 0

12. Expences to Waverley, & Farnham .............. 00 04 0

Gave Sarah Xmass ............................ 00 02 6

16. Farmer Turner for bringing fairey .............. 00 02 6

Carried forward . 1C6 17

346 GILBERT WHITE'S ACCOUNT-BOOK.

Li: s: d:

1754. Brought forward 166 17 2

Decr 16. Odct matters 00 02 8

Piece of Brawn, & pot of Sausages from Oxon 00 17 10

Gave Tom Ruffell, & Mr Batten's man 00 03 00

26. Entertaining the Gentry of Waltham exclusive of

Port wine 00 13 3

1755. Several odd matters 00 11 11

Jan: 13. Keeping Horse to that time 02 01 0

Barley-meal, & gave Ostler 00 03 10

Altering necessary House, & throwing open the

little Garden at Selborn 00 06 0

Servants, & lost at Cards 00 03 9

24. Set of Shoes, & remove 00 02 3

Several odd matters 00 12 11

4 planks for new frames, & car: 00 16 0

Garden seeds 00 03 11

Feb: 2. Gave Dr Durnford's Servant at Harting 00 03 0

Mending lights, & altering frames 00 05 1

11. Making my new melon-frame 00 10 0

10 Iron tenons for D° 00 01 8

18. 23 feet & half of tiled Glass hot-house fashion for

D° at 8d pr foot 00 15 6

21. 3 large mats for melon frames 00 03 0

Lost at Cards 00 03 0

March 1. Gave Mr Missing's servants 00 12 0

Odd matters , 00 05 6

5: 8: Expences with Edm: Yalden down to Dene in Wilts 00 11 1

Shoing 2s 6d & washing 5s 10d 00 08 4

9. Pd Futcher for 25 Sunday's dinners 01 05 0

11. Keeping Horse at Waltham 01 02 0

Half year's board to Gibson 10 00 0

Pd him for serving my Church 01 07 9

Wine of D° 01 02 3

Joints of meat for Harry & Cane in Feb: 00 05 9

Gave his Maid 00 10 6

11. Boy & Horse at leaving Waltham 00 05 1

Hire of screen 00 02 0

Odd matters 00 07 3

15. Two pr of Shoes of Tanner 11s: & mending 00 12 2

21. Shrubs from Waverley 00 11 11

Odd matters 00 06 2

22. 5 more Hot-bed-mats . 00 05 0

Total £195 17 4

347

GILBERT WHITE'S GAEDEN KALENDAE.

[The anxiety with which Gilbert White watched every phase of his
horticultural operations, and the methodical manner in which he details
the daily work of his garden, is so minutely described in his " Garden
Kalendar,'1 and is so characteristic of his habits, that I have thought it
would not be uninteresting to the reader to have a portion of these notes
in their primitive form. It is therefore printed verbatim from his MS.
One of the most amusing features of this record is the interest with
which he watches the growth of his Cantaloupe melons, then a novelty
to him, his alternate hopes and fears as they advanced, and the disgust
with which he contemplates their ultimate failure. A letter from Philip
Miller*, the author of the celebrated ' Gardener's Dictionary,' is not only
interesting in itself, but as showing the source whence he obtained
those precious seeds, and I have therefore thought it worth while to
prefix Miller's letter to the Kalendar.— T. B.]

SIR,

I AM much obliged to you for your favourable opinion of my
performance f : if what I have published has been of public
utility I shall think myself happy.

The Cantaleupe Melon seeds here inclosed, are from Ar-
menia, which is the country from whence the seeds were first
brought to Cantaleupe. I have had the seeds from thence
several years, and have found them much better than any of
those which were sent me from Cantaleupe.

* [Philip Miller was born in 1G91, and succeeded his father as gar-
dener to the Chelsea Gardens in 1722. He was an excellent botanist,
and became a correspondent of Linnaeus. He was a Fellow of the Royal
Society, and a member of some of the scientific societies on the Con-
tinent. He died in 1771.— T. B.]

t [It appears by an entry in his account-book of 1749 that in that year
he purchased his copy of Miller's ' Gardener's Dictionary ' for eighteen
shillings.— T. B.]

348 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

I have made trials several times of Tanners bark for raising
of Melons, and sometimes have had good success with it, but
I have found in hot dry seasons the plants of Cantaleupe have
hung their leaves, and sometimes their roots have perished
before all the fruit were ripe : so that I prefer good dung for
the heat and a proper depth of Loam for the roots to strike
into, but this, in my situation, is very difficult to procure ; for
we have very little Loam within a reasonable distance.

I do not know if you have seen the last edition of the
Gardeners Dictionary, which has been published in weekly
numbers and is now almost finished ; in which there are all
the improvements that have come to my knowledge in the
culture of the Cantaleupe Melon ; there is also a plan of a
small stove for Pines, which is not very expensive to erect,
and where Tan and Fuel are cheap, may be maintained for a
small annual sum.

If in any thing I can contribute to your laudable pleasure
you may freely command, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP MILLER.

Chelsea, Feb. 14, 1759.

P.S. Your letter did not come to Chelsea till yesterday.

GARDEN KALENDAR,

MAY IST, 1759,

May 1st. Pulled away the hedge round the fir-quincunx,
and hoed the ground clean.

2. The Hanger out in full leaf; but much banged about by
the continual strong east wind that has blown for many days.
The buds and blossoms of all trees much injured by the wind.
The ground parch'd and bound very hard. The cold air

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR. 349

keeps the nightingales very silent. No vegetation seems to
stir at present. — Disbudded some of the vines. The buds are
about an inch long.

May 3rd. Made second annual bed with six barrows of grass
and weeds only ; no dung.

Planted out the five hand-glasses with the great white
Dutch Cucumbers 4 plants in a hill. The plants are pretty
much drawn. This evening the vehement east wind seems to
be abated ; and the air is soft and cloudy. Ground bound
like a stone.

4. Sowed a pint, four rows, of small dwarf white kidney-
beans in the lower field-garden.

Earthed the Cantaleupes * the third time : found all the
plants in a very flourishing way, and the fibres extended
to the very outsides of the hills. Cut away the plants to one
in some of the hills; and left two in some, stopping down the
worst plant very short towards the bottom of the runners, for
experiment's sake, to see what the small wood about the stems
will do. Some of the plants offer for male bloom.

Saw the first Redstart and Cherrysucker f. Sowed about
two doz. of the large white Dutch cucumber seeds for ye
latter hand-glasses: the first sowing got full tall and big.

Delicate soft rain all the afternoon and all night, which
soaked the ground well to the roots of all vegetables.

5. Fine growing weather.

Several of the Cantaleupes have male blossoms fully ex-
panded.

7. Disbudded all the vines according to Hitt. Almost
every shoot shows bloom. Housed 21 barrows of the laj-t
prepared Cantaleupe loam : by means of the late rains it is in
the most delicate order and crumbles into dust.

9. Berriman sowed Baker's Hill with Barley, and after it
8 pounds of clover, and two bushels of white seed or Rye
Grass. The ground cold and cloddy, and pretty full of daisey
roots and grass, and not in very fine order. Added since
8 pd8 more of clover.

* [See the Letter from Philip Miller.— T. B.]
t [Spotted fly-catcher.]

350 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

May 10. Several Cantaloupe plants shew fruit and grow
away at a great rate. Pricked out the annuals into the second
hot-bed. Fine showery growing weather.

12. Gave the Cantaleupe hills a full barrow of loam each :
the fourth time of earthing. Cut away the plants to one on
a hill.

14. One Cantaleupe fruit in full bloom. Made three hills
for large white cucumbers in Turner's garden.

15. Sowed the second pint of french-beans, large white
Dutch ; soaked them in water over night.

18. Sowed a crop of white, green and black Coss-lettuce.
All my Savoy seed and Boor Cole fails this year : not one
plant appears.

20. Strong sunshine for many days, and a sharp east wind.
Cold white dews in the mornings. Our clay ground as hard
as a stone. This burning sun, as usual, makes the Canta-
leupes look not quite right. Most of the fruit as soon as it
appears turns yellow. The single fruit that is out of bloom
not likely to stand.

The dwarf french beans are come up pretty well.
The lettuce that stood the winter are finely leaved. This
unkind weather stops the setting of the Cucumbers.

21. Earthed the Cantaleupes the last time within their
boxes. Finding the Cantaleupes much exhausted and dryed
by the fierce heat of the Sun, and the dry air, I watered them
all over, leaves and all, with one small pot of water. The
leaves all hang down, and have a dry paper-like feel, and look
woolly ; and the fruit all turns yellow : I remember they had
all just the same appearance at this time last year ; the sun-
shine and east wind being as vehement.

Planted 100 of late cabbages.

26. The burning sunny weather continues. The gardens
suffer much by the drought.

29. Frequent showers. The watering the Cantaleupes twice
over the leaves seemed to refresh them very much ; but has
occasioned one of Mr. Hunter's plants to grow a little mouldy
at a joint on one of the leaders near the stem. So that water,
though never so much wanted, is dangerous near the stem.

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR. 351

The Armenian plants in general have small leaves and
vines : and one in particular so fine and wire-drawn that one
would imagine it would never be ^able to carry any fruit to
perfection. The rest are healthy, and are disposed very regu-
larly in their frames, and are full of fruit. No fruit set yet.

Took off the glasses from the early cucumbers and annuals
to give them ye benefit of the showers.

May 28: "29. Housed four loads of peat in most excellent
dry order. The uncommon dryness occasions some waste by
making the bats crumble.

Gathered two scarlet strawberries. The early beans have
large pods. The early pease are well blown.

30. The rain on the 29th very heavy for some hours ; so as
to make the cart way run. Raked all the rough-dug ground
that was, 'till moistened, like an heap of stones. Pricked a
pot of Celeri.

31. Sowed a pint more of large French beans. The first
sowing strangely devoured by snails. Tull gathered a bowl
dish three quarters full in one evening : and still the plants
wrere almost covered with them the next. Cold winds and
frosty nights since the rain.

Hoed the strawberries that were planted last autumn, and
filled up the vast cracks in their beds. At least half the
autumn planted pine-strawberries are dead. The scarlet will
have some fruit; and so will the few plants of Collison's.
TKe Nova-Scotia will not bear this year. — Stringed the bear-
ing pine-strawberries, which are full of bloom. The Autumn
sown and Capuchin and brown-Lettuce, now in high per-
fection. I have a very poor crop of Coss lettuce this spring.

June 1. Distant thunder and fine showers all the evening
and part of the night.

May 31: June 1st: 2nd. John tacked all the vines for the
first time this year according to Hitt. Those vines that were
dressed in that method last year, are now full of fruit; those
that have been trained only this year have little or none. —
Frequent good showers. The ground is now finely soaked.
Continued picking vast quantities of slugs from the french
beans, which are in a poor way.

352 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

June 3. Continued heavy showers all night and all day.
The ground is now well soaked.

5. Lined out the Cantaloupe bed with twelve dung-carts
of hot dung. The bed is now 12 feet broad and 40 feet
long. Continued showers all day ; so that no loam could be
laid on ye bed but what was already housed in the earth-
houses. The fig tree has plenty of fruit which grows apace.

Such a violent rain and wind all the evening and most part
of the night that they broke down and displaced the pease
and beans and most of the flowers ; and tore the hedges and
trees and beat down several of the shrubs.

6. Continual rain all day. The lining of the Cantaleupe
bed, which is not yet earthed, in danger of losing its Heat by
being so thoro'ly soaked.

8. Earthed the lining of the Cantaleupe bed, and raised the
frames to the top of the earth. The Waverley plants had
filled the frames with their roots ; the fibres of ye Armenian
sort had not extended themselves so much.

Sowed a pint more of dwarf kidney-beans in the room of
those that were devoured by snails. Fine summer weather.
Turned down the three forward basons of cucumbers from out
their hand-glasses.

9. Gathered first beans, a large mess.

10. Fine soft weather for some days ; now a soaking
rain.

11. Finished off the borders in the new garden, by cleansing
raising and laying a good coat of fine peat dust, finely sifted
in order to make them light and dry. Sowed the first plot of
Endive, and a plot of Lettuce, green and white Coss.

12. In the evening began a vast storm which continued all
the night, and tore and destroyed the things in the Garden
worse than the former : it broke down vast boughs in the
Hedges, and had like to have overturned the Limes in the
Butcher's yard. If the Annuals had been planted out, they
must have been quite whipped to pieces. The hedges look
bare and unsightly by being lashed and banged by the wind ;
and the ground is strawed with leaves.

13. The middle Waverley Cantaleupe has some decayed

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALIIXDAR. :\~>:}

rotten runners ; Qua^: if occasioned by those two waterings
all over their leaves in that scorching weather in May.

The leaves of the Armenian Cantaloupes have a much
blacker aspect than those of the Waverley.

June 14. Planted the empty basons in the field, and two
borders in the new Garden with annuals, French and Afr:
Marrygolds, Sunflowers, Nasturtiums, pendulous Amaranths,
and China Asters. Hot growing weather; vast showers about.

15. Planted 150 Savoys from Alton.

16: 18. Lined out the Cantaloupe bed with loam very deep
quite down to ye Ground on each side : the fibres may now, if
they please, extend themselves 16 feet. The plants look in a
most thriving way, and are loaded with fruit ; but they hold
off from setting strangely : no one set yet. Cut off a great
branch of one of the Waverley Cantaloupes that was quite
rotten.

19. Planted out crop of leeks and some late Coss Lettuce.
Furious hot summer weather.

20. To be planted pint of french beans, and an early row of
Celeri to be trenched. All the former crops of french beans
like to come to nothing.

23. Called in upon Mr. Miller at Chelsea, and found that
he had 18 lights of Armenian Melons in excellent order.
There were about two brace and half of fruit to a light, full-
grown, and very rough and black. He pushes his lights, it
seems, quite down in dry weather: and says the defect of
male bloom is owing to the seeds being of some age.

30. On my return from Sunbury I found my Cantaloupes
in very bad plight indeed : two of the Waverley plants were
quite rotten, and corrupted at the stem, and one of the
Armenians, the day after I came home, withered away, tho'
perfectly sound ; and dyed as if eaten off at the root ; tho*
upon search no grub could be found in the mould. And what
is stranger, no one fruit was set upon any plant, tho' hun-
dreds have dropp'd away. There certainly is a want of male
bloom in the Armenians to a degree : but then the Waverley
plants over abounded and yet cast all their fruit.

I found a vast crop of pease thro' the dripping season; and
VOL. n. 2 A

354 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

(had) green pease soup every day. The first hand-glass
cucumbers are in full bearing : I intend to save 4 more (the
large white Dutch) for seed. The small forward beans have
an unusual crop. The fourth and fifth crop of french beans
like to come to good.

July 2. Planted out a vast bed of Holy-oaks.

6. Not one Cantaleupe set yet. Planted out about 50
Polyanths raised this Spring from seed given me by Mr.
Hale.

7. Finished my Hayrick in most excellent order. The
weather has been so perfectly hot and bright, for these five
days past, that my Hay was all cut and made in that time.
The crop was so great that Kelsey's people made 8 carryings
of it ; and the burden in the great mead was supposed to be
considerably greater than was ever known. To my own stock
I added two tons from Farmer Lassam, which in all made a
considerable rick.

Finished cutting the hedges round Baker's Hill.

21. On my return from Dene on this day I found I
had but one Cantaleupe set and that a fig-shaped one not
likely to come to good. The plants are in uncommon vigour;
and grow unaccountably, and are full of fruit still; but
strangely deficient in male bloom. The void spaces in the
frames are quite filled out with the remaining plants. Mr.
Cane's Cantaloupes were all burned up, with a noble crop on
them, about ten days before the fruit would have been ripe.
He had a fine crop : but the intense heats scorch'd off all the
fibres thro' his light dusty earth. Tull planted out Endives
and lettuce in abundance during my absence ; he pronged up
the bulbous roots against Parsons's, planting annuals in their
room. John trimmed and nailed the vines in a very hand-
some manner according to Hitt. Those vines that have been
managed in that manner for two years, have a noble crop of
fruit very forward. My crops of beans and pease are very
extraordinary this year. The annuals against the broad walk
in the new Garden are uncommonly large.

23. Gathered 36 cucumbers. Earthed up the chinks round
the hand glasses with melon loam.

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR. 355

Unusual hot summer weather for three weeks past. Wheat
harvest has begun in some places.

July 26. Pulled up another of the Armenian Cantaloupes
which was rotten at stem. So now I have lost four plants out
of nine. The fruit begins to set now at a vast rate on the
remaining plants, as fast as ever they fell off before.

The hot vehement season continues: the ground is wonder-
fully burnt.

31. Now a great rain after several weeks drought.

Aug. 1. On examination I found above 20 brace of Canta-
leupes set : about 10 brace on one of the Armenian plants ;
about 3 brace on another Armenian ; 2 brace (one a full-
grown fruit) on another : and one Armenian is quite barren.
The Waverley plant is infected with the rot that destroyed
the rest, which I endeavour to stop by wiping and dust. It
is observable that those plants that bear so prodigiously are
those winch (their fellows being rotten) have the space of
two or three lights to run in. Had the fruit set in this
manner a month or six weeks ago (when it all dropp'd off)
there had been a noble early crop.

10. The first set Cantaleupe, tho: unpromising at first, now
a fine beautiful large fruit, just like Miller's. The rest of
later date come on apace. Prodigious hot sunny weather.
Sowed half pound of Spinage, mixed with Capuchin and
Dutch Lettuce, and white turnep-Radishes. Trenched four
rows more of Celeri: and planted out about 150 more Savoys.
Tyed about 20 of the Endives.

Sowed a little more Endive seed.

14. Lost the third and last "Waverley Cantaleupe with a
crop of 4 brace of fruit on it. I have now lost five plants out
of nine. The four Armenians now remaining have 10 brace
of fruit likely to come to good. Pulled off two brace and half
of fruit, some of a considerable size. Dry, hot weather still.

16. Sowed a crop of Coss Lettuce and Endive to stand the
winter. Trimm'd the side shoots of the vines for the last
time. The clusters are unusually large and forward. Perfect
Summer weather but cooler.

27. Cut a vast quantity of white Dutch cucumbers. One

2 A 2

356 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

that was young and eatable weighed 2 pounds 5 ounces, and
measured 12 inch: and half in length. The Canker continues
to spread among the Cantaleupes, and is likely to destroy
plants full of beautiful fruit within a fortnight of being in
perfection.

Aug. 28. Planted on the bank several large white Lilly roots,
Crown Imperials, and double white rockets. Cut the first
Endive.

Septemr 4. Planted some tree primroses on the bank. It
has been very wet, blowing weather, for several days past.

8. Tyed up about two doz. of the best bunches of Grapes
in Crape-bags.

11. Cut ye first Cantaleupe : it was finely emboss'd, and
weigh'd 3 pds 11 ounc: but when it came to be cut up it had
hardly any flesh, and was rank and filthy.

Tyed up more Endive. — Uncommon sunny sultry day.

15. Tyed on 18 more Crape-bags on the best bunches of
Grapes. Fine dry weather with pretty cold dews.

29. All the Cantaleupes cut. Not one in perfection ; tho'
many were finely embossed and looked wonderfully pro-
mising. The canker I suppose had prevented their drawing
any nourishment, and getting any thickness of flesh. Fine
dry weather for a long time past, and the roads perfectly
good. The small bunches of Grapes are very good : the large
ones not yet ripe against the wall. ^

Octob. 1. Tyed up last crop of Endive.

The largest Cantaleupe was finely embossed, and tho'
almost all rind, weigh'd 4 pounds 2 ounces.

3. Now a vast rain after many weeks fine Autumn weather.

5. Gathered the two first bunches of bag'd Grapes : they
were a little mouldy ; but the sound part of the bunches were
perfectly ripe, and sweet.

8. Now perfect summer weather again, after one wet day.
The Grapes in the bags unusually fine; and both bunches and
single Grapes are . as large again as usual. It is to be
observed that this new culture swells the berries so much;
they are apt in this cluster-sort to press too hard on each
other, and prevent ripening, and occasion mouldiness : there-

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR. 357

fore if the Grapes were thinn'd-out the beginning of the
summer with the points of a pair of scissars, it would cer-
tainly prove an advantage.

Oct. 10. Planted two rows of Crocuss along the borders under
the dining-room windows ; both borders, especially that that
hath the vines in it, were made very light and mellow with an
abundance of sand and blacksmith's cinders. "Weeded and
cut down the leaves of the strawberries and mended out those
beds that failed with the pine sort. Now very dry, and
warm : but there are great tokens of rain.

11. Now great rains and wind.

Tunn'd three quarters of an Hogsh: of raisin wine. The
quantity of raisins in the mash vat were 1 hund: and half of
Smyrnas, and 3 quarters of an hundred of Malagas. The
quantity of water put up was 18 3 gallon buckets; which
made sufficient quantity without any squeesing. The colour-
ing was 14 quarts of Elder syrop. The weather was so hot
that it stood but eleven days to ferment in the vat. The
Elder juice was boiled up with 14 pounds of sugar.

16. Finished off the bank in the new Garden and planted
the front row of the additional part with pinks both red and
pheasant-eyed : laid it with turf some days agon. On mea-
suring the great oak in the meadow which was measured in ye
spring, I found it to be encreased in girth about one inch.

18. The mornings begin to be frosty, yet the Grapes con-
tinue in high perfection.

19. Finished a broad brick walk thro' ye new wicket at the
end of the dining room ; and carry ed a narrow one up by the
side of ye pitching to the orchard walk : rectify ed the broken
pitching and turned the gutter at the brewhouse door, so as to
get a 12 inch border four feet long for a white muscadine vine.

22. Planted a row of Coss Lettuce touching the wall along
the vine-border under the dining-room window to stand the
winter. Planted a row of Holyoaks against the boards of the
woodhouse.

24. Planted the irregular slip without the new wicket in
the Garden with first two rows of Crocuss ; a row of pinks ;
several sorts of roses; Persian Jasmine and yellow D°. several

358 GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR.

sorts of Asters, French- Willows ; a curious sort of bloody
wall-flowers; double Campanulas, white and blue; double
Daisies ; and a row against the hedge of good rooted Laurus-
tines. Planted the back row of the part of the bank newly
length'ned-out with blue and white Double Campanulas ; and
the border under the dining-room window with the bloody
Double wall-flowers. Planted a bason in the field with french
willows. Planted many dozens more of Coss Lettuce against
the buttery wall, and down the wall against the yard.

Oct. 25. Planted a large layer of the musk-rose from Mr.
Budd against the boards of the old barn.

Wet season after very dry weather.

26. Trimm'd and tack'd the bottoms of the vines according
to Hitt : the lower parts of those under the Dining-room
window are deficient in wood, 'till more can be got from ye
stems. Began curving two shoots in order to reduce two of
the vines to regular shapes from the bottom by degrees.

Novemr 5. Planted my Hyacinths, Narcissus's, Ranuncu-
lus's, Tulips, Crown Imperials, and Anemonies in the border
against Parsons's. It had been trenched very deep with a
good quantity of rotten tan, and was in perfect dry order
when the roots were put in.

Planted a small thriving larch at the east corner of Baker's
Hill ; two well-grown Provence-roses in the field shrubbery
and two monthly roses in the Orchard walk ; all from North
Warnboro'. Fine, dry, sunny weather. Planted two rows of
hardy lettuce under the filbert hedge against Parsons's.

6. Trimmed and tack'd the fig tree, leaving a leading
bough in the middle to fill the wall by degrees quite up to the
eaves. This tree is full of young wood and fills the wall well;
and may be carry'd by a second stage according to Hitt, up to
the tiles. Planted a number of Gooseberries and Currans
from Mr. Johnson, good plants, in the Orchard-walk and
among the rasps. The grapes lasted in good perfection 'till
the beginning of Novemr: those that were hung up in the
study are very sweet but shrivelled up like raisins, notwith-
standing a grape was stuck on the stem of each Cluster.

12. Plunged the seven pots of Pyram: Camp: in the border

GILBERT WHITE'S GARDEN KALENDAR, 359

against Parsons's under yc Filbert hedge. Planted a nursery
border of small bulbous roots. Dug up a decaying Cluster
pine, and parsley-elder in the shrubbery, and put in a two-
thorned Acacia and Judas tree in their room. A most deli-
cate summer-like day.

Nov. 14. Transplanted the striped Epilobium into a fresh
bason. Planted about 20 fraxinellas, seedlings from Mr. Budd,
in a nursery. Planted several Laurels in the gaps of Hedges
round Baker's Hill.

The potatoes raised from about 14 large ones cut in pieces
turned out a fine crop of about 3 Bushels: several single ones
weigh'd about a pound. Put by about 30 of the finest as a
supply for a crop next year.

Planted some cuttings of parsley-elder, with some cuttings
of fine white Currant.

15. Planted in the new Garden two standard Duke's
Cherries ; an espalier Orleans plumb ; an espalier green-gage
plumb; a duke cherry against the north-west wall of the
brewhouse; and a standard muscle plumb in the orchard.
These trees came from Forster of North Warnboro' and
seemed to be good in their kind ; were planted the day they
were taken out .of the nursery, in basons, which being pre-
pared before, were in excellent crumbling order.

16. Planted 3 pints, 7 rows of small early beans in the
lower field garden.

3(30

DESCRIPTION OF DUFOUR'S FIRE-ESCAPE.

[That the interest of Gilbert White was not confined to the investiga-
tion of the objects of nature and the ordinary pursuits of a man of scien-
tific and literary taste, but that he was fully alive to any improvement in
the useful arts of life, is shown by the following account of Dufour's Fire-
escape, which I have found among his papers. It is in his own hand-
writing, but without date or any indication of its having been intended
for any especial object beyond that of a personal memorandum. The
description of the apparatus is in the same clear and simple language
which constituted much of the special charm of his writings. Previous
to Dufour's invention, the <( Fire-escape " seems to have been limited to
" a pole, a rope, and a basket." It appears from the records of the Patent
Office that Dufour's patent is dated 1788, and the experiment described
in the following paper was probably the first public test of its efficiency.
— T. B.]

A PATENT machine, known by the name of the Fire escape
was brought along fleet street. It consisted of a ladder,
perhaps 38 feet in length, which turned on a pivot, so as to
be elevated or depressed at will, and was supported on framed
work, drawn on wheels. A groove on each side of this ladder-
like construction admitted a box or hutch to be drawn up or
let down by a pulley at the top and a windlass at the bottom.
When the ladder is set up against a window the person in
danger is to escape into the hutch, and so to be let down.
That the ladder may not catch fire from any flames breaking
out below, it is defended with a sheathing of tin.

Several people, it seems, had illiberally refused the patentee
the privilege of trying his machine against their houses ; but
my brother *, on application, immediately consented, when
the ladder was applied to a sash on the second story and a

* [Benjamin White, of Fleet Street.— T. B.]

DESCRIPTION OF DUFOUR'S FIRE-ESCAPE. 361

man was immediately hoisted up, and let down with great ex-
pedition and safety, and then a couple of boys together.

Some spectators were of opinion that the hutch or box was
too scanty and shallow, and that for security it ought to be
raised with a treillis of strong wire, or Iron work, lest people
in terror and confusion should miss of their aim and fall over
to the ground. This machine was easily drawn by four men
only. The inventor's name is Mr. Du Four. The ladder, the
owner told us, would reach to the third story, when more
elevated.

362

LISTS OF THE MOEE NOTEWOETHY

ANIMALS AND PLANTS

OBSERVED IN SELBORNE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

MAMMALIA.

Noctule bat.
Pipistrelle.
Reddish-grey bat.
Daubenton's bat.
Long-eared bat.

CHEIROPTERA.

Scotophilus noctula.

pipistrellus.

Vespertilio Nattereri.

Daubentonii.

Plecotus auritus.

In the Park and Lithe.
Cottage and barn roofs.
Cottage roofs.
In my cellar.
Very rare.

Hedgehog.
Mole.

Common shrew.
Water shrew.
Oared shrew.

INSECTIVORA.

Erinaceus europgeus.
Talpa europaea.
Sorex vulgaris.
Crossopus fodiens.
, var. remifer.

Stream by the Grange.
In my garden.

Badger.
Common otter.

Ermine or Stoat.
Common weasel.
Polecat.
Common marten.

Common fox.

CARNIVORA.
Meles taxus.
Lutra vulgaris.

Mustela erminea.

vulgaris.

putorius.

Martes foina.

Vulpes vulgaris.

Great wood near Alton

and Theddon.
Stream at Priory, and at

Froyle.
Often partially white.

Monkswood ; very rare.
Stated to have been found

at Woolmer by Geo.

Cannons.

BIRDS FOUND AT SELBORNE.

303

Common squirrel.
Dormouse.
Harvest mouse.
Field mouse.
Common mouse.
Brown rat.
Water vole.
Common field vole.
Bank vole.
Hare.
Babbit.

BODENTIA.

Sciurus vulgaris.
Myoxus avellanarius.
Mus minutus.

sylvaticus.

musculus.

decumanus.

Arvicola amphibius.

agrestis.

glareolus.

Lepus timidus.
cuniculus.

Scrubs, &c.

In wheat ricks.

Enters houses in winter.

Stream at Dorton.
Bank at Temple.

BIRDS.

[In the following list of the birds which have been seen in Selborne and the
neighbourhood, I have included a large number which were observed in or near
Alton by the late Dr. John Curtis, many of which are in the Alton Museum.
The letters W., B., C. indicate those attested by Gilbert White, by myself, and by
Dr. Curtis. The comparative rarity of their occurrence is indicated by the letters
r, rr, rrr. The nomenclature is principally that of Yarrell's ' British Birds.' — T. B.]

Peregrine falcon.
Hobby.
Kestrel.
Sparrow-hawk.
Kite.
Osprey.

Common buzzard.
Honey buzzard.
Hen harrier.
Montagu's harrier.
Long-eared owl.
Short-eared owl.
Barn-owl.
Brown owl.
Great grey shrike.
Bed-backed shrike.
Woodchat.
Spotted flycatcher.
Missel thrush.
Fieldfare.
Song-thrush.
Bed wing.
Blackbird.
Bing-ousel.
Hedge accentor.
Bed breast.
Bedstart.
Black redstart.
Stonechat.

Falco peregrinus.

B.,C.

rrr

Empshott. Alton.

subbuteo.

B.,C.

rrr

Same.

tinnunculus.

Accipiter nisus.

Milvus ictinus.

Formerly.

C.

rrr

Lasham.

Buteo vulgaris.

C.

rr

Medstead.

Pernix apivorus.

W.

rrr

Selborne.

Circus cyaneus.

W.,B.,C.

rr

Faringdon. Alton.

cinereus.

B.,C.

rrr

Faringdon.

Asio otus.

B.,C.

rr

Tisted.

accipitrinus.

B.,C.

rr

Selborne and Alton.

Aluco flammea.

Strix aluco.

Lanius excubitor.

C.

rrr

Alton.

collurio.

W..B..C.

Selborne and Alton.

auriculatus.
Muscicapa grisola.
Turdus viscivorus.

W.

rrr

Near Selborne (Gould).

•• pilaris.

musicus.

iliacus.

W.

merula.

torquatus.

W.,B.,C.

rr

Selborne and Alton.

Accentor modularis.

Erithacus rubecula.

Buticilla phcenicura.

W.,B.,C.

r

Selborne and Alton.

tithys.

0.

rrr

Alton. 1 sp.

Saxicola rubicola.

W.,B.,C.

Selborne and Alton,

364

BIRDS FOUND AT SELBORNE.

Whinchat.

Saxicola rubetra.

W.,B.,C.

Selborne and Alton.

"Wlieatear.

ociitinthc

W.,B.,C.

Q

Grasshopper warbler.
Sedge warbler.

Acrocephalus nsevius.
schoenobsenus.

W, C.
W.,C.

rrr

Selborne and Worldharn.
Selborne and Alton.

Reed warbler.

streperus.

W.,C.

Same.

Nightingale.

Daulias luscinia.

Blackcap.

Sylvia atricapilla.

W.,B.,C.

Selborne and Alton.

Whitethroat.

rufa.

B.

r

Selborne.

T t\c<a YirVi'f rk4-V»-w/-*o4-

B.

1*1*

Q ^

jjesser wnitemrodd,.
Dartford warbler.

Melizophilus undatus.

rr

Woolmer.

Golden-crested regulus.

Regulus cristatus.

W.,B.,C.

r

Selborue and Alton.

Fire-crested regulus.

* rrni/» tVll ia

C.

rrr

Alton.

Willow wren.

Phylloscopus trochilus.

W., B.,C.

Selborne and Alton.

Chiff chaff.

11 i •/,

W.,B.,C.

Same.

• COlIj QlUdu

Wood wren.

sibilatrix.

W.,B.

r

Selborne.

Great tit.

Parus major.

Blue tit.

cacruleus.

Coal tit.

ater.

B.,C.

r

Selborne and Alton.

Marsh tit.

tyilustris

W.

VI*

^ IV

Long-tailed tit.

Acredula caudata.

W.,B-,C.

Selborne and Alton.

Bohemian waxwing.

Ampelis garrulus.

C.

rrr

Holybourne (once).

Pied wagtail.
Grey wagtail.

Motacilla lugubris.
sulphurea.

B., C.

Selborne and Alton.

Yellow wagtail.

flava.

B.,C.

r

Hawkley Mill.

Tree pipit.

Anthus trivialis.

Meadow pipit.

pratensis.

Skylark.

Alauda arvensis.

Woodlark.

arborea.

W.,B.,C.

r

Selborne and Alton.

Snowbunting.
Yellow bunting.

Emberiza nivalis.
citrinella.

C.

rrr

Faringdon.

Common bunting.

miliaris.

Cirl biirrtrn &

ci rlus

B., C.

rr

Sclfo 0 1TH 6 .

Chaffinch.

Fringilla cffilebs.

Bramble finch

wi /-\t-i 4- -i -P-I-.-1 -n /Vl 1 1 o

B..C.

r

Selborne and Newton.

Greenfinch.

Coccothraustes chloris.

Hawfinch.

vulgaris.

W.,B.,C

rr

Selboi'ne and Newton.

Goldfinch.

Carduelis elegans.

House sparrow.
Siskin.

Pyrgita domestica.
Carduelis spinus.

C.

rrr

Alton.

Common linnet.

Linota cannabina.

Mealy red pole.

canescens.

C.

rr

Alton.

Lesser redpole.

linaria.

C.

rr

Same.

Bullfinch.

Pyrrhula vulgaris.

Common crossbill.

Loxia curvi rostra.

w.,c.

rr

Newton and Alton*.

Starling.

Sturnus vulgaris.

Raven.

Corvus corax.

W.,B.,0. r

Selborne Common.

Carrion crow.

corone.

Hooded crow.

comix.

C.

rr

Shalden and Binswood.

Rook.

frugilegus.

Jackdaw.

monedula.

Magpie.

Pica caudata.

Jay.

Garrulus glandarius.

Green woodpecker.

Picus viridis.

Great spotted Do.

major.

C.

rr

3 or 4 at, Alton.

Lesser Do. Do.

minor.

C.

rrr

1 at Binsted.

Wryneck.

Yunx torquilla.

C.

r

Alton.

* Has bred at Alton.

BIRDS FOUND AT SELBORNE.

366

Creeper.

3erthia»f am iliar is .

B.,C.

r

Selborne and Alton.

Wren.

Troglodytes parvulus.

Hoopoe.

Jpupa epops.

»V.,B.,C.

rr

Helborne, Newton *.

Nut hatch.

Sitta europaca.

f.,B.,C.

Selborne and Alton.

Cuckoo.

Cuculus canorus.

Kingfisher.

Alcedo ispida.

V.,B.,C.

Selborne.

Chimney-swallow.

BLirundo rustica.

Martin.

urbica.

Sand-martin.

riparia.

Swift.

Dypselus apus.

Nightjar.

Daprimulgus europazus.

V.,B.,C.

r

Turtledove.

Dolumba turtur.

B.

r

Selborne.

Stockdove.

W.,B.

Same.

— (X ll(l->.

Ringdove.

palumbus.

Pheasant.

Phasianus colchicus.

Black grouse.

Tetrao tetrix.

W.,B.,C.

rr

Woolmer and Shortheath.

Common partridge.

Perdix cinerea.

Red-legged partridge.
Quail.

rubra.
Coturnix vulgaris.

c.

rr
rr

Holybourne.
Chawton.

Golden plover.

Charadrius pluvialis.

B.,C.

rr

Hartley.

Dotterel.

morinellus.

c.

rr

Kingsley.

Stone curlew.

CEdicnemus crepitans.

W.,B.,C.

rr

Selbome.

Peewit.

Vanellus cristatus.

Woolmer, &c.

Sanderling.

Calidris arenaria.

?

Heron.

Ardea cinerea.

B.,C.

rr

Selborne and Alton.

Bittern.

Botaurus stellaris.

B.,C.

rr

Selborne and Woolmer.

Common Curlew.

Numenius arquatus.

B.

rr

Selborne.

Common redshank.

Totanus calidris.

C.

rr

Alton.

Spotted redshank.

fuscus.

B.

rr

Selborne.

Common sandpiper.

V -I -,rt.-a

W., C.

rr

Selborne and Alton.

' p

Bar-tailed godwit.

Limosa rufa.

C.

rr

Faringdon.

Woodcock.

Scolopax rusticola.

Snipe.

gallinago.

Jack snipe.

gallinula.

C.

rr

Alton.

Little stint.

Tringa minuta.

C.

r

Same.

Land rail.

Crex pratensis.

W.,B.,C

r

Selborne.

Spotted crake.

porzana.

C.

rr

Kingsley. 1 sp.

Water rail.

Rallus aquaticus.

B.,C.

Priory and Alton.

Moorhen.

Gallinula chloropus.

W.,B.,C

r

Combe pond, Selborne.

Coot.

Fulica atra.

r

Alton.

Grey phalarope.

Phalaropus lobatus.

C.

Selborne.

Avocet.

rr

2 killed at Frencham.

White-fronted goose.

Anser albifrons.

C.

rr

Holybourne.

Egyptian goose.
Hooper Swan.

aegyptiacus.
Cygnus ferus.

C.
C.

rr
rr

Alton.
Headley.

Common Sheldrake.

Tadorna Bellonii.

C.

r

Alton.

Shoveller.

Anas clypeata.

C.

rr

Grey well.

Teal.

crecca.

W.,B.,0

r

Woolmer and Alton.

Wild duck.

boschas.

W.,B.,C

r

Woolmer, &c.

Wigeon.

Mareca penelope.

B.,C.

r

Woolmer and Alton.

Pochard.

Fuligula ferina.

C.

r

Alton. 2 sp.

Scaup duck.

marila.

C.

rr

Same. 1 sp.

Tufted duck.

cristata.

C.

r

Headley. 3 sp.

Red-breasted merganser

Mergua serrator.

C.

rr

King's pond, Alton.

Goosander.

merganser.

C.

r

Froyle. 2 sp.

Little grebe.

Podiceps minor.

C.

r

Alton.

* See note at p. 31, Vol. I. '

366

BIRDS ETC. FOUND AT SELBORNE.

Great northern diver.
Little auk.
Eazorbill.
Green cormorant.
Black tern.
Common tern.
Lesser tern.
Black-headed gull.
Great black-backed gull.
Kittiwake.
Fork-tailed petrel.

Colymbus glacialis.
Mergulus melanoleucos.
Alca torda.

Phalacrocorax cristatus.
Sterna nigra.

hirundo.

minuta.

Larus ridibundus.

maximus.

tridactylus.

Thallassidroma Leachii.

W.(B.,C.

rr

Woolmer and Medstead.

B.

rrr

Selborne by Lecourt.

0.

rrr

Alton.

C.

rr

Alton.

0.

rrr

Hartley. 1 sp.

C.

r

Alton.

C.

rrr

Same. 1 sp.

C.

rrr

Worldham. 1 sp.

C.

rrr

Alton. 1 sp.

C.

r

Same.

C.

rrr

Same. 1.

[The greater number of the aquatic birds in this list mentioned by Dr. John
Curtis as having occurred at Alton were occasional visitors which were observed
from time to time on the River Wey as it passes by the town. — T. B.]

EEPTILIA AND AMPHIBIA FOUND AT SELBORNE.

BEPTILIA *.

Viviparous lizard.
Slowworm.
Ringed snake.
Common viper.

Zootoca vivipara.
Anguis fragilis.
Natrix torquata.
Pelias berus.

Woolmer, common.
In coppices, common.
Common near water.
On dry heaths.

AMPHIBIA.

Common frog.
Common toad.
Natter-jack toadt.
Warty newt.
Common smooth newt.
Palmated smooth newt.

Eana temporaria.
Bufo vulgaris.
calamita.
Triton cristatus.
Lissotriton vulgaris.
palmipes.

At Woolmer and in my grounds.
Pond in Hartley wood.
Common in ponds.
In the pond on Selborne Common.

FISHES.

For the Fishes see Vol. I. pp. 32, 56, 57.

* [The green lizard mentioned by Gilbert White as having been found in the neigh-
bourhood of Farnham (Vol. I. p. 64) has not, as far as I know, been found near Sel-
borne ; but it is not improbable that the species may, in the course of years, have made
its way across the Holt to Woolmer. — T B ]

t See Vol. I. p. 55.

MOLLUSCA FOUND AT SELBORNE. 307

MOLLUSCA.

CONCHIFERA (Bivalves).

Cycl us cornea Pond at Short Heath.

Anodonta cygnea Same.

GASTEROPODA (Univalves).

Neritina fluviatilis The stream at Dorton.

Bithinia tentaculata Same.

Valvata piscinalis Same.

Planorbis spirorbis Pond at Short Heath.

marginatus Same.

Physa f ontinalis Stream at Dort on and Priory.

Limnaea peregra Pond at Short Heath.

auricularia Same.

stagnalis Oakhanger (Dr. J. Curtis).

Ancylus fluviatilis On leaves of iris, Dorton meadow.

Avion empiricorum Garden.

hortensis On the lawn.

Limax flavus Cellar.

agrestis Garden.

maximus Same.

arborum Beeches in the Hanger.

Testacella haliotoidea Jn my kitchen -garden.

Succinea putris Meadow by Combe Wood.

elegans Same.

Vitrina pellucida Under moss on the Hanger.

Zonites cellarius Under stones.

alliarius High Wood on shrubs and trees.

crystallinus Among moss at the foot of the Hanger.

fulvus Same, rare.

Helix aspersa Everywhere.

nemoralis Scrubs, Hanger, &c.

hortensis Same.

, var. hybrida (Dr. John Curtis.)

arbustorum Scrubs and Hanger.

Cantiana* S.E. end of Common.

rufescens Hanger, &c., very numerous.

hispida Under stones in Rocky lane.

virgatat Selborne Common, Nore hill, &c.

caperata S.E. end of the Common and Dorton.

ericetorum The Park, Nore hill, &c.

pulchella Among moss, decayed leaves, &c.

rotundata Hanger, &c.

lapicida Scrubs and Hanger.

* [At the S.E. end of Selborne Common Helix Cantiana and H. caperata are
both tolerably abundant, but each species occupies its own ground without
encroaching on the portion appropriated by the other. There is no apparent
cause, either as regards soil or food, to account for this selection. — T. B.J

t [On the " Hog's-back," between Guildford and Farnham. Helix virgata is
found of a very large size. I have taken many specimens there 3 of an inch
in diameter.— T. B.]

368

BUTTERFLIES ETC. FOUND AT SELBORNE.

Bulimus montanus On beeches in the Hanger.

obscurus Same ; very numerous.

Pupa edentula On a wall among moss.

muscorum Among moss.

Balia perversa On beech trees in the Hanger.

Clausilia nigricans On beeches in the Hanger, &c.

laminata Same.

} white var Same (a single specimen).

Azeca triclens Among damp moss, in Hanger, &c.

Zualubrica Same.

Achatina acicula Among the roots of moss and grass.

Carychium minimum Among dead and decaying oak-leaves.

Cyclostoma elegans Foot of the Hanger, plentiful.

[I am indebted to Earl Waldegrave for the following list of some rare Lepido-
ptera taken by himself at or near Blackmoor, in the parish of Selborne. — T. B.]

Clouded yellow.

Pale yellow.
Marbled white.

White Admiral.
Duke of Burgundy.
Greasy fritillary.
Small blue.
Silver studded blue.
The grayling.

BUTTERFLIES
Colias Edusa.

- Hyale.

Melanagria Galathea.

Limenitis Sibylla.
Nemeobius Lucina.
Melifaea Artemis.
Lycaena Alsus.

Hipparchia Semele.

Many taken between August and Oc-
tober, 1875. All males but two.

Blackmoor.

Not uncommon at Blackmoor (plen-
tiful on Selborne hill, T. B.).

Common in Blackmoor wood.

Wheatham Hill and Coldhayes.

Same.

Same.

Woolmer forest.

Woolmer and Blackmoor.

SPHINXES AND MOTHS.

Death's-head sphinx.

Convolvulus sphinx.

Six -spot Burnett.

Cream-spotted tiger.

Ruby tiger.

Grass emerald.

The streak.

Broad-bordered yellow
underwing.

Grey rustic.

Double kidney.

Black rustic.

Grey shoulder-knot.

Beautiful yellow under-
wing.

Dark crimson underwing

Acherontia Atropos.
Sphinx Convolvuli.
Zygsena Filipendulse.
Chelonia villica.
Arctia fuliginosa.
Hemithea cythisaria.
Chaesias spartiata.
Triphaena fimbria.

Noctua neglecta.
Tethea retusa.
Epunda nigra.
Xylina rhizolitha.
Anarta Myrtilli.

Catocala sponsa.

(The Wakes, Selborne, T. B.)
Blackmoor (Selborne, T. B.).
Same, early in August 1875.
One, on June 29, 1 875.
One in August 1875.
August 1875.
October 6, 1875.
September 1875, 2 specimens.

Several. September 1875.

August 16, 1875.

Six specimens. Sept. and Oct. 1875.

October 1875.

Tolerably abundant, Woolmer. August

1875.
One specimen, August 9, 1875.

[ Vanessa Antiopa was seen by the Rev. Horsley Palmer -at Coldhayes, near
Petersfield, and a female of this species was taken by Captain Chawner, of Newton
Manor House, in June 1877.— T. B.]

PLANTS FOUND AT SELBOKNE. 3(59

PLANTS*.

Adoxa moschatellina Nore Hill. " Lanes and coppices." G. W.

Alliura oleraceum Park at the Wakes.

ursinum " Bradshott Wood." Ld. S.

Anagallis tenella " Short Heath and Woolmer." W. W.

Antirrhinum orontium Short Heath and Temple.

Aquilegia vulgaris " Below S. side of Nore Hill." Mrs. de J.

Astragalus glycyphyllus W. W.

Bartsia viscosa Between Short and Long Lithe.

Betula alba Boggy ground, Woolmer.

Bronius secalinus " Poundfield and Temple." Q-. W.

Br yonia dioica Hanger and hedges.

Callitriche autuinnalis Ditch between Temple and Woolmer, rather

rare.

Campanula glomerata Selborne Hill. "Lanes." G. W.

patula Woolmer. "Bradshott." W. W.

— trachelium Scrubs. "Temple, &c." Ld. S.

Oarduus nutans Selborne Hill, plentiful.

Carlina vulgaris " Selborne Down." Or. W.

Caucalis ar vensis " Own fields." G. W.

Centunculus minimus Short Heath.

Chenopodium bonus Henricus . Blackmoor and the Wakes.

Chlora perfoliata Kingsfield. " The same." G. W.

Chrysanthemum segetum Short Heath.

Cnicus acaulis Selborne Common, plentiful.

Comarum palustre " Woolmer." W. W.

Conium maculatum ' ' Binsted Wyck." W. W.

Convallaria multiflora "Lane leading to Bradshott Mill." Ld. S.

"Binsted Wyck." W. W.

Conyza squarrosa Week-Hill hanger. " Sutton." W. W.

Crocus vernus " Holywater near the brook." Ld. S.

Cuscuta europaea " Bean's bog." G. W.

Cynoglossum officinale Oakhanger.

Daphne laureola Scrubs, Park and High Wood, &c.

mezereon Scrubs, rare.

Dianthus armeria " Near Bentley ." W. W.

Dipsacus pilosus Dorton and Short Lithe. "Binsted Wyck."

W. W. "Lythe." G. W.

Drosera longifolia Woolmer and Short Heath.

rotundi folia Same places. ' ' Bean's bog. " G. W.

Eleocharis acicularis Holywater and Woolmer.

Epilobium angustifolium Hedges at Dorton, &c. "Forest." G. W.

palustre Short Heath and Oakhanger.

roseum Dorton and Oakhanger.

* I have already stated in the Preface that the majority of the plants in this
list have been found by my relative Dr. Bell Salter, by the late Dr. Bromfield,
the botanist of Hampshire, and by myself. I also possess a catalogue in the
handwriting of Gilbert White, including a few which are not contained in the
XLIst letter to Barrington. I am greatly indebted to Lord Selborne and to
William Wickham, Esq., of Binsted Wyck, for considerable additions, and to
Mrs. de Jersey, of Empshott Vicarage, for notices of several rare and interest-
ing species. These additions are respectively distinguished by the initials
G. W., Ld. S., W. W., and Mrs. de J.

VOL. II. 2 B

370 PLANTS FOUND AT SELBORNE.

Erigeron acre " Eoad near Norton." W. W.

canadense " Once at Binsted Wyck." W. W.

Euony mus europasus Hedge near the Grange.

Eupatorium cannabinum " Bradshott Wood." Ld. S. " Binsted Wyck."

W. W.

Fediadentata Nore HilL

Filago minima Short Heath and Oakhanger.

Fumaria capreolata Oakhanger.

Galanthus nivalis "Holywater; long copse, Wickhill." Ld. S.

"Between E. and W. Worldham." W. W.

Galeobdolon luteum Park, plentiful.

Galeopsis ladanum " About Selborne." Dr. Bromfield.

Gentiana amarella Zigzag. " Same place." G. W.

Geranium pratense Priory, near the end of the Lithe.

Helleborus fcetidus High Wood.

viridis " Norton Lane." G. W.

Helosciadium inundatum Woolmer and Short Heath.

Hieracium sylvaticum Woolmer and rocky lanes.

umbellatum Rocky lanes by the Grange.

Hydrocotyle vulgaris " Forest." G. W.

Hypericum androsasmum " Temple Wood." Ld. S. " E. Worldham."

W. W. " Hollow lanes." G. W.

elodes " Oakhanger and Woolmer pond." Ld. S.

humifusum " Between Selborne and Liss." W. W.

Hypochceris glabra Short Heath and Oakhanger.

Jasione montana Lithe, Woolmer, and Short Heath.

Juncus squarrosus Woolmer and Short Heath.

Lathrsea ssjuarnaria In a garden in the village. " Church Litton

coppice." G. W.

Lathyrus nissolia " Once. Binsted Wyck." W. W.

sylvestris Dorton, &c. " Lythe." G. W.

Leonurus cardiaca " Forest side." G. W.

Linaria elatine " Own closes." G. W.

minor " Binsted Wyck." W. W.

spuria " Binsted, in cornfields." W. W.

vulgaris Hedges below Temple.

Linum angustifolium " Holybourne." W. W.

Lithospermum arvense " Binsted Wyck." W. W.

officinale Lithe. "Street." G. W.

Littorella lacustris Short Heath and Woolmer.

Luzula sylvatica Winchester Wood.

Lycopus europaeus Temple.

Lysirnachia nummularia Dorton and rocky lanes.

vulgaris "Bean's bog." G. W.

Malva moschata * On banks, common.

Melica casrulea Woolmer.

uniflora Chawton Park.

Melissa officinalis Dorton, by the stream.

Mentha sylyestris The Lithe.

Menyantb.es trifoliata " Bean's bog." G. W.

Milium effusum Selborne Common and elsewhere.

Mcenchia erecta " Woolmer." W. W.

Monotropa hypopitys The hanger, abundant.

Myosotis palustris Stream from Dorton to Oakhanger.

* _ Doubtless White means his species when he mentions in his MS. list
Malva alcaa' as occurring in the "long lithe." Alcea vulgaris being the
name given to it by Dillenius and Ray.

PLANTS FOUND AT SELBORNE. 371

Myosurus minimus Hollow lane at Norton.

Narcissus biflorus " Kingsley." Miss Lushington. " Empshott."

Mrs. de J. " Coldhayes." Ld. S.

— pseudo-narcissus " Blackmoor Wood, &c." Ld. S.

Narthecimn ossifragurn " Oakhanger and Hogmer." Ld. S.

Nasturtium terrestre Short Heath.

Nepeta cataria " Northfield." G. W.

CEnanthe fistulosa " Same." G-. W.

Origanum vulgare Scrubs. " Floribus albis. Kingsfield." G. W.

Ornithopus perpusillus " Woolmer." W. W.

Orobus tuberosus Own beechen grove.

Paris quadrifolia Combe Wood. " Temple and Snapwood "

Ld. S. " Coppices." G. W.

Parnassia palustris " Oakhanger." Ld. S.

Peplis portula Short Heath and Woolmer.

Picris bier acioides " Own fields." G. W.

Pinguicula vulgaris " Woolmer." Ld. S.

Poa nemoralis Bank at Week Hill.

Polygonum minus Short Heath.

Populus tremula " Woods at Selborne." Dr. Bromfield.

Potamogeton lucens " Woolmer and Holywater." Ld. S.

— - natans " Combe pond." G. W.

Poterium sanguisorba Scrubs.

Prenanthes muralis Rocky lanes, common.

Primula elatior Park, rare. " Binsted Wyck." W. W.

Pulmonaria angustifolia " Hollow lanes." G. W.

Pyrcthrum parthenium Oakhanger.

Pyrus aria Scrubs. "Hanger." G. W.

aucuparia Scrubs.

Radiola millegrana Woolmer and Short Heath.

Ranunculus aquatilis Short Heath, &c.

hederaceus .. Same.

Rhamnus catharticus Hedge near the Grange.

Rhynchospora alba Short Heath.

Ribes grossularia " Stubb's farm, Binsted." W. W.

Rubus affinis (rosaceus) * Lithe.

Babingtonii Week Hill.

carpinifolius Oakhanger.

discolor Various places.

Kochleri Wood below Week Hill.

Lejeunii Between Temple and Woolmer.

leucostachys Various places.

nitidus Priory.

rudis On the road to Alton.

Schleicheri Temple.

— tenuis (macrophyllus) ... Various places.

— csesius Various places.

Ruscus aculeatus " Forest side." G. W. "Alice Holt." W. W.

"Harting Combe." Ld. S.

Sambucus ebulus Park and scrubs. " Own fields." G. W.

Saponaria officinalis Priory. "Street." G. W.

Scirpus sylvaticus Oakhanger, &c.

Sclerochloa rigida ° Selborne." Dr. Bromfield.

* I give the names and habitats of the genus Eubus as they were communi-
cated by Dr. Bell Salter, who, as is well known, made the genus a special
study.

2B2

372 PLANTS FOUND AT SELBORNE.

Scutellaria galericulata Short Heath.

minor Peaty bogs, Woolmer.

Sibthorpia europaea Short Lithe.

Silaus pratensis Between Priory and Oakhanger.

Sison amomum Rocky lanes. " Praedio meo." 0. W.

Tamus communis Scrubs and elsewhere.

Teesdalia nudicaulis " Kingsley ." W. W.

Trif olium arvense Blackmoor .

Tulipa sylvestris Park.

Ulex nanus Woolmer.

Ulmus montana " Woods at Selborne." Dr. Bromfield.

Vaccinium myrtillus Woolmer. "The forest." G. W.

oxycoccos " Forest bogs." G. W.

Valeriana dioica Scrubs. " Own fields." Gc, W.

Verbascum nigrum Common on banks.

Thapsus Bank on the road to Newton.

Veronica anagallis Short Heath.

montana Chawton Park.

officinalis " Hollow lane." G. W.

scutellata Short Heath.

Vinca minor Hanger. " Temple woods." Ld. S.

Viscum album On Apple, Hawthorn, Maple, and Lime at

the Wakes.

ORCHIDS.

Aceras anthropophora " Nore Hill." Mrs. de J.

Epipactis ensifolia Under beeches in the Park, rare.

grandiflora Same and the Hanger, plentiful.

latifolia Hanger. " Binsted Wyck." W. W. "High

Wood." G. W.

media, Bab Park and Hanger.

purpurata Hanger.

Gymnadenia conopsea Kingsfield. " Empshott." Mrs. de J.

Habenaria bifolia Park, plentiful.

chlorantha Same, rare. " Binsted Wyck." W. W.

Listera ovata Park and Hanger.

Neottia spiralis Selborne Common. ' ' Pastures below Temple."

Ld. S. " Dorton." G. W.

— — nidus-ayis Hanger and High Wood. " Long Lithe and

Dorton." G. W.

Ophrys apifera Park, High Wood, and Nore Hill.

• muscifera Same localities.

Orchis maculata Priory meadow, &c., common.

mascula Park, &c.

morio Same.

pyramidalis Kingsfield, rare.

FERNS.

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum ... Lane leading to Empshott.

ruta-muraria Church wall (formerly).

trichomanes Temple Lane.

Athyrium filix-foemina Lane leading to Temple.

Blechnum boreale Coppice on Temple Hill.

PLANTS FOUND AT SELBORNE. 373

Botrychium lunare S. end of common, very rare.

Ccterach officinarum Church wall (formerly).

Lastrea dilatata Temple Lane.

— filix-mas Rocky lanes.

— oreopteris Dorton Wood towards Priory.

Lycopodium inundatum Short Heath and Wool mer.

Ophioglossum vulgare Park. "In meadows." G. W.

Osmunda regalis " Ditch at Oakhanger, on Woolmer Forest."

Ld. S.

Polypodium vulgare Eocky lanes.

Polystichum aculeatum Same.

angulare Honey Lane.

lobatum Eocky lanes.

— lonchitis " Kingsfield coppice." Ld. S.

Pteris aquilina Selborne hill, &c.

Scolopendrium vulgare Eocky lanes.

374

THE GEOLOGY OF SELBORNE.

BY WILLIAM CURTIS, ESQ.

THE village of Selborne stands just upon the junction of the
Chalk Marl with the Upper Greensand. The bed of Chloritic
Marl, probably not ten feet thick, though rarely distinctly
visible, exactly marks the line of junction. It may be seen
at each extremity of the village where the road leaves it for
Newton Yalence at one end, and Empshott at the other. It
pass*es through the village, giving a darker appearance to the
soil in some of the gardens, and is called by Gilbert White the
" Black Malm," in contradistinction to "White Malm," the
term applied to the soil generally over the Upper Greensand.

The springs mentioned by Gilbert White as arising at the
extremities of the village issue from the Chloritic Marl, or
sand, as it might more appropriately be called. That to the
south-east, called Well Head, works a small flour-mill, with
an overshot-wheel eighteen feet in diameter. The mill stands
in a little deep gully, excavated by the action of water in the
Malm rock; and, opening into the Priory valley at Dorton, the
rivulet meets the little stream from the north-west end of the
village.

The high Chalk ridge coming off from Newton Yalence
terminates abruptly on the south-west side of the village, and
there forms the beautiful beech-covered "hanger " known as
Selborne Hill. From this one may look down upon the quiet
village, its church and great yew tree, the parsonage-house
and plestor, and in the foreground, just at the foot of the hill,
the unpretending residence and pretty garden and grounds
formerly of Gilbert White, now of his worthy admirer Mr.
Bell. May this sweet spot never be spoiled by improvements !

The narrow strip of land between the foot of the hill and
the village street consists of the Chalk Marl. The north-

GEOLOGY OF SELBORNE. 375

eastern side of the village stands upon the Malm rock, the
provincial name of the Upper Greensand. This formation is
cut into deeply by the Priory valley, so that the Gault is ex-
posed in the bottom of it some distance up towards the church.
The Gault everywhere underlies the Upper Greensand, and
separates it from the Lower. Gilbert White states that the
wells in Selborne average a depth of sixty-three feet. This
appears to represent the thickness of the Upper Greensand,
which having been pierced, the water retained by the Gault-
clay basin is reached. Descending towards the Priory, the
Malm rock rises on the left hand into the Lythe, Week Hill,
and Hartley " hanger," and the valley opens out on the Gault
flat towards Oakhanger. On the right it stretches away for
about a mile, gradually rising until it ends in an abrupt
" hanger," clothed with oak timber, upon the extremity of
which stands Temple farm.

At an average distance of about half a mile the Gault is
succeeded by the Lower Greensand of Blackmoor, Woolmer
Forest, Oakhanger, and Short Heath in the parish of Sel-
borne, and of the adjoining parishes of Greatham and Kings-
ley. Over the comparatively level district which it here pre-
sents there are numerous ponds, such as Woolmer Pond
(about sixty acres in extent), and Oakhanger Pond in the
parish of Selborne, besides many others at a greater distance.
Bin's or Bean's Pond, described by Gilbert White in Letter
VIII. to Pennant, is, I believe, now quite dry. These sheets
of water appear to express a general water-level in the sandy
strata.

In regard to the land-slips caused by the undermining of
the Upper Greensand and softening of the Gault by the
agency of the springs, Gilbert White has described the best
example of the kind, which occurred at Hawkley in the year
1774. Nothing like it appears to have happened in the parish
of Selborne ; but there are spots close to the emergence of
the Gault from beneath the Malm rock where the clay appears
to have been thrust forward by the superincumbent pressure.
A considerable slip of one of the Binsted hangers took place
about forty years ago.

376 GEOLOGY OF SELBORNE.

It may be here observed that the hollow lane between
Hartley and Selborne, in some parts nearly twenty feet deep,
with almost perpendicular sides, is cut by the joint action of
water and the wear of traffic through some of the upper beds
of the Malm rock. These beds consist of alternations of hard
blue argillaceous ragstone, one or two feet thick, and of softer
ones of sandstone, called Firestone, four or five feet thick.
The lower beds of the Upper Greensand are of a marly
character.

A few general observations on the fossils from the beds in
question may here be added. The Chalk in the vicinity of
Selborne is so little exposed that I have obtained few fossils
from it. Gilbert White speaks of large " Cornua Ammonis "
being found when cutting an inclined path up the Hanger.
These must have been in the Lower Chalk, and in a bed cor-
responding with one near Alton, in which I have found large
Ammonites of several species, the largest, in the museum of
that town, measuring 27 inches in diameter. With these
occur smaller Ammonites and small Nautili. The large
Nautili mentioned by Gilbert White as occurring at the north-
west end of the Hanger belong to the Chalk marl.

These Nautili of the marl (N. elegans) are the largest species
found above the chloritic bed. The most abundant fossil in
the Chalk marl is the A. varians, and the most characteristic,
as it is small and scarce in the other beds. In the side of the
lane turning up the hill from Fisher's Buildings I procured
two species of Turrilite, costatus and tuberculatus, and one of
Micraster. I have several specimens of the " Mytilus Crista-
galli" (Ostrea carinata), figured in the ' Natural History of
Selborne,' which I did not find in situ; but I believe they be-
long to the Chalk marl.

The chloritic marl is a sandy slightly coherent bed, clearly
distinguished by its black and green particles. After heavy
rains these may be seen spread over the bottom of the little
stream flowing from Well Head. This bed may still be seen
in the "lane above Well Head in the way to Emshot,"
where Gilbert White describes it as a " darkish sort of marl."
He speaks of the soil it produces— the "black malm " as a

GEOLOGY OF SELBORNE. 377

a warm, forward, crumbling mould," and of the "white
malm " as "becoming a manure to itself." The qualities here
alluded to and the general fertility of these particular soils
depend on the existence, in addition to lime, of a large per-
centage of soluble silica and minute quantities of the alkalies
and phosphates in the rocks which produce them.

In this bed are found ramose Sponges, Ventriculites, Choa-
nites, and many traces of other species of the lower organisms,
a Micraster, Pecten orbicularis and quinquecostata, several
Lamellibranchiates, Pleurotomaria, and Cephalopoda ; the
last rare (the Alton Museum contains but one specimen, an
imperfect Am. varians).

In the Upper Greensand a few traces of plants and bored
wood are met with. It contains several species of Sea-urchins,
and I have a single specimen of the Starfish from the Sel-
borne Firestone. Brachiopoda are rare, the Mollusca nume-
rous. The Alton Museum possesses about twenty species of
Lamellibranchiata, five of Gasteropoda, and ten or twelve of
Cephalopoda. The Pecten orbicularis is the only species of
which the individuals are abundant. The Cephalopoda form
the most conspicuous feature amongst the organic remains of
the Upper Greensand of Selborne. Baculites and Hamites
are rare, Ammonites numerous (the species rhotomagentis,
varians , rostratus, catillus, and probably three or four others).
Nautilus pseudo-el eg ans and a larger one (probably a distinct
species, sometimes fourteen inches in diameter) are not un-
common.

The Am. rostratus presents three forms of the rostrum,
which may indicate specific differences. The shells of the
Cephalopoda are mostly found pressed more or less out of
their natural form.

The Belemnitella are rare ; they present a delicate na-
creous covering. Some imperfect remains of Crustaceans, a
few fish-scales and teeth of fishes and saurians have been ob-
tained from the Malm rock.

The Gault is so little exposed that I have obtained very few
fossils from it, and none from the Lower Greensand, within
the bounds of Selborne parish.

w. c.

378

APPENDIX.

ON THE

ROMAN-BRITISH ANTIQUITIES

OP

SELBOKNE.

Br LOBD SELBORffE.

THE conclusion drawn by White, from the discovery of Roman
coins during the first half of the last century in the bed of
Woolmer Pond, that Selborne was not unknown to the
Romans ("Antiquities," Letter I.), has been abundantly con-
firmed by other and more recent discoveries.

About the year 1774 (as appears by a letter, dated in August
1777, from Mr. Sewell, then residing at Headley, to Mr.
White, for the communication of which I am indebted to the
kindness of Professor Bell) a large pot of coins or medals
was also found in Woolmer Pond, from which Mr. Sewell
obtained a complete series of all the Roman Emperors, from
Claudius the First to Commodus (both inclusive), and the two
Faustinas, and Crispina, the wife of Commodus, extending
over nearly 150 years, from A.D. 43 to A.D. 194. There
were none, he says, later than Commodus. And I learn from
Mr. Prettejohn (now residing at Yanston, in Devonshire), who
lived for more than thirty years near Woolmer Pond, and was
" foreman " of the Forest for a period including the reign of
George the Fourth, that in his time Roman coins were occa-
sionally found in the gravel and sand of Woolmer Pond, on
the Blackmoor side, and sometimes also in the old roads and
paths in the open Forest, and within the present grounds of

ROMAN-BRITISH ANTIQUITIES. .°,70

Blackmoor House. He himself and other members of his
family have found more than twenty among the siftings of
gravel dug to repair the turnpike-road by the side of the
pond, four of which (being all that he has retained) he has
had the goodness to show me. They are much defaced, and
the legends arc wholly obliterated ; but one can be recognized
as of the younger Faustina, and one as of Crispina, the Em-
press of Commodus.

In 1865, having purchased the Temple and Blackmoor
estates, I chose for my residence the spot then occupied by
Blackmoor Farm House. The name " Blackmoor " properly
belongs to the western and northern parts of the sandy ridges
(raised considerably above the lower level of Woolmer Forest,
and themselves overlooked from the west by the escarpments
of the Upper Greensand and the still loftier chalk summits
behind them) by which the basin of Woolmer Forest, where
it is crossed by the main road between Petersfield and Farn-
ham, is enclosed. To the north-east and east the ridges of
Blackmoor connect themselves with those of " Hogmoor,
White Hill, and Wall Down, between which and the south-
eastern and southern ridges, dividing this forest-basin from
the valley traversed by the road between Greatham and Lip-
hook (on which stand fir-plantations belonging to the crown),
rises the conspicuous landmark of Holy-Water (or Holly-
Water) Clump. The intermediate low ground, covered with
rough heather, and interspersed here and there with pools of
water at certain seasons, is in breadth about a mile and a half
from north to south by about two miles in length from east to
west. In a depression at the narrowest point between the
government plantations to the south-east and the most southerly
part of the Blackmoor ridges lies Woolmer Pond, a shallow
lako, nearly always fordable by man or horse in every part,
and varying with the seasons from a large and broad sheet of
water to a bed of sand, almost entirely dry in times of pro-
longed drought.

All these ridges, and the basins below them, are upon ilio
formation called by geologists the Lower Greensand, which
is naturally barren or covered only with furze and heath,

380 APPENDIX— KOMAN-BRIT1SH

though now planted in many places, chiefly with Scotch fir.
But the westerly ridge of Blackmoor extends back as far as
the Grault clay, on which there is abundance of oak and other
wood. At the exact point of junction between these two for-
mations, at the east end of Blackmoor Wood, and within the
limits of the present gardens of Blackmoor House, is a small
square island, surrounded by a moat of water ; and behind,
and higher than Blackmoor House, to the north (also included
within the present gardens) is a piece of land formerly called
the " Chapel Field." Here, while the foundations were being
dug in 1867 for a kitchen-garden wall, the first discovery of
Roman or Roman-British remains was made. A large sepul-
chral earthenware vase was dug up, much broken in the upper
part, in which were contained a small bronze cup, enamelled
in various colours, nearly perfect, and the remains of a bronze
patera of extreme thinness ; also one large bronze coin, much
worn, which is pronounced by competent authority to be of
Lucius Verus. There were in this vase some small remains
of bones. •

In other parts of the garden and grounds, and in digging
the foundations for the house and offices, there were found
many fragments of various articles of Roman pottery, inclu-
ding some of Samian or imitated from Samian ware ; some
Roman tiles (probably roof-tiles), many of which were in the
island already mentioned ; a bronze celt or axe-head ; a large
leaden ring, such as might have been run through a staple
fixed into a post or wall ; and two iron axe-heads, an iron
socket for receiving the head of an axe or other weapon, a
large iron cattle-bell, and fragments of iron nails, &c. The
dates of these leaden and iron articles (all which were much
oxidated) I do not profess to determine.

In 1868 the moat round the small island was cleaned out,
and at the bottom of it were found a large earthenware water-
vessel and a small earthenware drinking-cup, both in excellent
preservation.

A reservoir for the storage of water was constructed under
the Temple " Hanger " in 1869-70 ; and in digging-out this
reservoir some further fragments of Roman pottery were found.

ANTIQUITIES OF SELttUllXE. 381

In the spring of 1870, in the garden of a cottage on the
western side of the road ascending from Eveley corner to
Hogmoor, a number of bronze weapons, or parts of weapons
(Roman or Roman-British), were found under peat, free
from rust or oxidation. They consisted of twenty-seven frag-
ments of sword-blades, some of which, when put together,
made complete swords ; two fragments of sword-sheaths ; one
grooved socket for connecting a spear-head, or perhaps a
standard, with the shaft ; eighteen large and six small spear-
heads ; two spear-points ; three rings ; and two fragments of
uncertain use. Most of the sword-handles had bronze nails
(evidently intended to fasten the iron part of the handle to
some covering material) remaining perfect in their holes; and
in the cavities of several of the spear-heads the wooden points
which had been inserted to fix them in sockets connecting the
head with the shaft of the spear were still remaining. Some
of the edges of these weapons were hacked and notched in a
manner which could hardly have resulted from use ; and of
the sword-blades, some had been forcibly bent before being
broken, proving that those who buried them had first taken
pains to render them useless.

In the same cottage garden there have also since been
found, in a fragment of a small earthenware pot, nearly 100
copper coins, much defaced, chiefly of the elder Tetricus, but
including a few of his son, and of Gallienus and Victorinus.

The next discovery was that of two large earthenware vases,
which, when perfect, must have contained considerably more
than 30,000 Roman and Roman-British coins, the number of
those which still remained in them when found, or which were
recovered by myself from the surrounding earth, having been
counted at 29,802. They were buried at a spot rather less
than halfway between Blackmoor House and Woolmer Pond,
where they were found, covered by about two feet of soil, on
the 30th of October, 1873, by some workmen employed in
trenching ground for a plantation. The upper parts of both
vases were much broken, probably by agricultural operations
at some distant date. The coins in them were closely caked
together, and completely filled what was left of the vases.

382 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

They were all coated, more or less, with green oxide of copper.
Some fragments of the broken parts of the vases and a small
piece of the bottom of a Eoman mortar were soon afterwards
found near the same spot, but nothing else was there dis-
covered.

The coins, on examination, were found to be chiefly bronze,
varying from a size rather larger than a shilling to less than
sixpence, those of the same size being often of very unequal
thickness and weight. There were also a large number, prin-
cipally denarii, of or plated with the base metal called by
numismatologists " billon." Of the whole quantity, about
one third only have been cleaned ; the whole have now been
sorted (an operation which was not complete when this paper
was first prepared), and the result is as follows * : —

Gordian the younger (emperor A.D. 238-244) 2

Philip the Arabian (emperor A.D. 244-249) 1

Otacilia (wife of Philip) 1

Gallus (emperor A.D. 252-254) , 1

Volusian (son and associate of Gallus) 1

Valerian (emperor A.D. 254-2GO) 25

Valerian the younger (son of Valerian) 2

Gallienus (son and associate of Valerian, and sole emperor from \ ^A7f-

A.D. 260 to 268) /

Salonina (wife of Gallienus) 331

Saloninus (son of Gallienus) 7

Julius Gallienus (son of Gallienus), doubtful 2

Postumus (tyrant in Britain and Gaul, A.D. 258-265) 331

Laelianus (ditto, A.D. 265) 8

Marius (ditto, A.D. 265) 60

Victorinus (ditto, A.D. 265-268) 5450

Tetricus Augustus (ditto, A.D. 268-271) 10195

Tetricus Csesar (son of Tetricus Augustus) 3833

Claudius Gothicus (emperor A.D. 268-270) 4213

Quintillus (brother of Claudius, emperor A.D. 270) 188

Aurelian (emperor A.D. 270-275) 175

Severina- (wife of Aurelian) 14

Tacitus (emperor A.D. 275, 276) 206

Florian (brother of Tacitus, emperor A.D. 276) 18

Carried forward 28,539

* A catalogue of these coins will be found in the < Numismatic Chroni-
cle,' new ser. vol. xvii. pp. 90-156.

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 383

Brought forward 28;539

Probus (emperor A.D. 276-282) 431

Carus (emperor A.D. 282, 283) 12

Carinus (Crcsar A.D. 282 ; emperor A.D. 283-285) 24

Xumerian (brother and colleague of Carinus) 14

Mag-nia Urbica (wife of Carinus) 2

Diocletian (emperor A.D. 285-305) 75

Maximiau (colleague of Diocletian, A.D. 286-305) 53

Constantius Chlorus (Caesar A.D. 292 ; became emperor A.D. 305) 1

Carausius (emperor in Britain A.D. 286-294) 545

AUectus (ditto, A.D. 294-290) 90

Total .... 29,788
The remaining fourteen cannot be distinguished.

Among these coins there are many which must have come
from the mint in an imperfect state, some of them having
either no heads or no reverses, one having the same head on both

O

sides, some twice struck, either with the head of the same
prince or with the head of one prince on a coin previously
bearing that of another.

With respect to the condition of these coins, it is worth
observation that those of Valerian, Gallienus, Salonina, Clau-
dius, Victorinus, the two Tetrici, and Carausius are generally
the most worn and defaced — a fact which, as to those of Ca-
rausius (almost the latest in the whole series), seems remark-
able. All the imperial coins of later date than Aurelian (as
also those of Severina and many of Aurelian himself) and the
coins of AUectus are comparatively unworn and in fine con-
dition, except when (as has happened in a few cases) they
have sustained accidental damage, from excessive oxidation or
adhesion while underground, or in the processes of separation
and cleaning. In the legends and reverses there is great
variety. They include 726 varieties which have, and 367
which have not, been described in Cohen's ' Catalogue of the
known Imperial Roman Coins.'

This is understood to be the largest deposit of Roman or
Roman-British coins ever yet found at one time in Great
Britain ; and it is rendered still more remarkable by the fact
(already referred to) that in the last century other large quan-
tities (the number has not been recorded) were found within

384 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

a quarter of a mile of the same spot, in the bed of Woolmer
Pond, some in a large pot, probably similar to the vases
above mentioned, and others (being those mentioned by White)
not enclosed in any vessel, but appearing to have been hastily
thrown or poured into the water in a large heap or heaps.
These appear to have been, if not wholly, in part at all eA^ents,
of earlier date ; and they were probably (at least in part) of
greater size and value than those found at Blackmoor; for Mr.
Sewell speaks of medals and White of medallions as well as
coins ; and White describes those which he saw as having been
in very good condition.

This account of the antiquities discovered in the parish of
Selborne would be imperfect without adding that, on the
ridges surrounding the forest basin, of which a description has
been given, there are thirty-five or more circular tumuli, or
sepulchral mounds, some larger than others, but none of very
large size, of which eleven are at or near Hogmoor, to the
north-east (seven together in one place, three near together
in another, and one by itself apart) ; four are on White Hill,
to the east (three together, close to the high road, and one at
a little distance apart) ; one is by itself on the south-easterly
projection of the northern Blackmoor ridge (the ridge oft which
the church and vicarage-house now stand) ; five are in a line
together at the southern extremity of the western Blackmoor
ridge (close by the high road, overlooking Woolmer Pond) ;
six, close together, are at the top of the opposite hill, on the
other side of W^oolmer Pond ; four, close together, are in the
government fir-plantations, about a quarter of a mile eastward
from the east end of Woolmer Pond ; three are in the highest
part of the same plantations, to the north-west of the high
road from Greatham to Liphook (one apart from the others,
to the south-west, the other two close together) ; and one,
remote from all the rest, is on the summit of Weaver's Down,
close to the extreme southern boundary of Selborne parish.
Some of them appear to have been much, and all or almost
all of them more or less disturbed — with what results I have
no information, except what I have obtained from Mr. Prette-
john, who was present at the opening of five of them in 1829.

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 385

Ho states that Mrs. Barlow, a lady then residing at Midhurst,
by the permission of the proper authorities, caused that exami-
nation to be made. The first four mounds appeared to have
been previously explored ; and nothing was found in them
except pieces of charcoal, ashes, calcined bones, and (in one of
them within the Brimstone-Lodge enclosure) some small
fragments of an urn, " old, rotten, decayed, crookey," and
seeming to have been sun-dried, and not regularly burnt in a
potter's kiln. In the fifth (being the smaller of the two upon
" Cold-down hill, not far from Hogmoor Pond and Binn's
Pond ") an urn was found, placed on the original level of the
ground, covered by a flat stone, and containing (as I infer)
calcined human bones or ashes. Mr. Prettejohn describes it as
" of a bilged shape, something between a pitcher and a flower-
pot," about eleven or twelve inches high, and capable of con-
taining two or three quarts. It was " in appearance, weak; "
but it was, with care, sent off " by two men to Midhurst "
(a distance of twelve miles), " carrying it on a sling on a pole."
Mrs. Barlow supposed it to be not only a relic of much in-
terest and value, but of antiquity far greater than Roman-
British times ; but a friend, learned in these subjects, whom I
have consulted, is led by the description given to doubt the
soundness of that opinion. No coins were found in any of
the tumuli thus examined.

With respect to earlier explorations, all that I can gather,
through the recollections of old inhabitants, is, that some of the
tumuli on the Forest were opened by a gentleman named
Butler, certainly not less than sixty years ago. I have myself
lately opened the largest of those not covered by plantations
on my own property ; nothing, however, was found there,
except traces of former disturbance of the ground down to the
natural level, and a cavity which might, not improbably, have
once contained a sepulchral urn.

It occurs to me also to mention in this place (though their
origin, nature, and purpose is obscure) that, immediately to
the south-west of the five tumuli on the Blackmoor Ridge,
overlooking Woolmer Pond, are a series of ancient parallel
trenches (six or seven in number) of some depth, running

VOL. II. 2 C

386 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

nearly north and south from the top of the ridge down to the
present high road. They can hardly be the result of natural
or artificial drainage ; and from their number and proximity
to each other they are not likely to represent ancient tracks
or ways. Whether they could, under any circumstances, have
been intended for military defence, I do not know.

From the pottery and other remains found at and near
Blackmoor House, it may be concluded with certainty that,
on or close to that site, there once stood Roman or Roman-
British buildings of some importance ; and the name of the
adjoining parish, Greatham, may perhaps indicate the situation
(at least as early as Saxon times) of a hamlet or village more
considerable than others in that neighbourhood. Mr. Sewell,
in his letter of 1777, already referred to, speaks of Roman
and British entrenchments as visible at that time on Headley
Heath and Common ; and he also describes, as a known
historical event (I know not 011 what authority), a march by
Vespasian, as general under Claudius, about A,D. 47, from
the neighbourhood of London towards Porchester, South-
ampton, and the Isle of Wight, by way of Headley and
Woolmer ; adding that he (Vespasian) then fixed, at or near
Woolmer Pond, " an abiding station or city, which remained
near 150 years, when they seem to have been expelled thence
by the Britons, or perhaps by an earthquake, or some other
cause." I have not myself met with any mention of what
Mr. Sewell calls " the Roman station or city of Wulmere in
Hants " in any writer, ancient or modern, with whose works
I am acquainted ; and it is possible (as the end of the period
of "near 150 years," which he assigns for its continuance,
coincides with the time of Commodus, whose coins were the
latest which had been found in Woolmer Pond) that his
statements, however historical in form, may have been founded
upon conjecture.

From the condition of the fragments of weapons found at
Hogmoor, and from the circular tumuli on the ridges sur-
rounding the forest basin, it seems, further, to be a probable
conjecture that this part of the parish of Selborne was a
battle-field in Roman-British times; and the burial of so large

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 387

a quantity of money in one spot, and the burying and casting
:nvjiy of another quantity (perhaps more valuable) in the
water within a quarter of a mile of the same spot (on both
sides of which water tumuli now appear), seems to tell a tale
of panic and flight. If we ask how so large a number and
variety of coins, thus hidden and cast away, came to be
brought together (including, as they do, some so imperfectly
minted that they can hardly have been issued for circulation),
it occurs to me, as a not improbable supposition, that they
may have been hastily collected and carried off from some
station in which there was a military chest, and perhaps also
a mint, either to provide for the pay of a retreating army, or
to prevent them from falling into the hands of an approaching
enemy. The Roman Clausen turn (now Bittern, near South-
ampton) was a garrison town, in which there was also a mint,
in the times of Carausius and Allectus, some of whose coins,
found at Blackmoor, bear the letter C on the exergue, which
I understand to be the mint-mark of that place. The latest in
date of all the coins found (if one, which may have become
casually mixed with those of this hoard, and which is at least
seventy years later, is excluded) are ninety of Allectus and a
single coin of Constantius Chlorus — of which the legend is
« FL. VAL. CONSTANTIUS NOB. C." (Flavius Valerius
Constantius Nobilis Caesar), and on the reverse, " VIRTUS
AUGG." (Virtus Augustorum), with the device of Hercules
leaning on his club and holding a bow, with the lion's skin
over his arm — plainly one of his early coins, before his
accession to the empire. The date, therefore, of their deposit
cannot have been earlier than the reign of Allectus ; and if it
had been later than the reconquest of Britain by Constantius,
it is not probable that only one coin of that prince would have
been found.

On the other hand, there would be nothing in the occur-
rence among this treasure even of several coins of Con-
stantius, while only Caesar, inconsistent with the hypothesis
that it may have belonged to Allectus himself, and may have
been buried and cast away at the time when his retreat from
the coast was intercepted by Asclepiodotus, the Praetorian

2c2

388 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

prefect of Constantius, and when the engagement took place
in which Allectus lost his life. Constantius was made Caesar
by the Emperor Diocletian A.D. 292, four years before his
invasion of Britain, while Carausius was living ; and nothing
is more probable than that during that interval coins struck
with the effigy of Constantius might obtain currency in
Britain.

My own conclusion is, that in the basin of Woolmer
Forest, and in the neighbouring ridges and hills, we have
probably the scene of important events, of which a narrative,
strictly contemporaneous, has been preserved to us in the
panegyric of the orator Eumenius, pronounced in honour of
Constantius Caesar on his recovery of Britain.

Carausius, a native of the country between the Meuse and
the Scheldt, of the same Belgic race by which, as early as the
time of Julius Caesar, Hampshire and the adjoining maritime
parts of England were peopled, and a man of high reputation
in naval warfare, was intrusted by Diocletian, soon after his
succession to the empire, with the defence of the northern
coast of Gaul from the incursions, then already frequent, of
Saxon and Scandinavian corsairs. This he did successfully ;
but being accused of permitting the corsairs to commit de-
predations, with the view of appropriating the spoil when re-
captured to his own use, Maximian ordered him to be put to
death. Carausius then (A.D. 286) declared himself inde-
pendent, and established an empire of his own in Britain,
retaining also Boulogne and other neighbouring places in
Gaul. To Britain he carried over with him the fleet under
his command, which had been equipped for the defence of the
opposite coast; and he built other ships of war in British
ports, manning them with merchant seamen from various
parts of Gaul, and with fighting men, attracted to his service
from different barbarous nations, whom he instructed in naval
as well as military warfare. The Roman legion, or legions,
stationed in Britain acknowledged his sovereignty, which
seems, from traces still remaining in various parts of the
island, north as well as south, to have extended throughout
Great Britain. The condition of this island, improved by two

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBOENE. 389

centuries and a half of Roman civilization, was at that time
highly prosperous. " Non mediocris," says Eumenius, " jac-
tura erat reipublicae terra, tanto frugum ubere, tanto laeta
munere pastionum, tot metallorum fluens rivis, tot vectigali-
bus quaestuosa, tot accincta portubus, tanto immensa circuitu."
Carausius became a considerable potentate — in naval power,
especially, superior to the Romans, who, since their conquest
of all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, had
neglected maritime warfare. Maximian in vain attempted an
expedition against him ; and in A.D. 289 terms of peace were
agreed to, by which that prince and Diocletian recognized
him as (in Britain) their partner in the empire.

When, however (A.D. 292), Constantius and Gralerius were
created " Caesars " (or presumptive successors to the empire),
Constantius, to whom the government of Gaul, Spain, and
Britain was assigned, lost no time in attacking Boulogne, and
reuniting to the empire that and the other continental posses-
sions which Carausius still held. But no invasion of Britain
appears to have been then apprehended.

In A.D. 294 Carausius was assassinated by his friend and
minister Allectus, who himself assumed the purple in Britain.
Preparations were now made by the Roman emperors for an
invasion ; and in the third year of Allectus (A.D. 296), Con-
stantius, having collected two fleets of transports, one at,
Boulogne and the other at the mouth of the Seine, set sail
with a considerable force from both ports simultaneously
(himself embarking at Boulogne), with contrary winds, and
in thick, foggy weather. Part of the expedition lost its way,
and eventually sailed up the Thames to London ; the main
body, with Constantius himself and his Praetorian prefect
Asclepiodotus, made for the British coast opposite the Isle of
Wight, near which the navy of Allectus was on the look-out
for them. Under cover of the fog, that part of the force
which was under the command of Asclepiodotus passed un-
seen by the British fleet, and effected a landing, setting fire
immediately afterwards to -their ships. Allectus, who was in
possession of the neighbouring port (doubtless Portsmouth),
and encamped upon the shore, hastily abandoned his position,

390 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

and retreated inland as soon as the sails of the ships which
followed with Constantius came in sight. His retreat was
cut off, and his army surprised, after it had advanced some
distance into the interior, by the force under Asclepiodotus.
The British troops were totally routed, and Allectus and
many of his followers were slain, whose bodies, distinguished
by their long fair hair and gay barbaric apparel, were found
dispersed over hill and plain in various directions, while
scarcely one Roman soldier perished. The remnant of the
British army made its way to London, intending first to
pillage, and then to abandon that city; but, meeting there
with those troops of Constantius who had sailed up the
Thames, it was put to the sword. And thus Britain was
recovered to the Roman empire.

Such (supplying only from other sources some of the
introductory facts, with the names of Asclepiodotus and of
Carausius, whom the orator calls the " arch-pirate," and
Allectus, whom he styles a "satellite" of Carausius and the
" standard-bearer " of the rebel party) is the substance of
what we learn from Eumenius. The passages most material
to the question of the identity of the battle-field with Woolmer
Forest are subjoined, in the original Latin.

" Ad tempus ipsum tantas se dorso maris nebulas miscuerunt,
" ut inimica classis, apud Vectam insulam in speculis atque
" insidiis collocata, ignorantibus omnino hostibus praBteriretur.
"... Jam vero idem ille vestro auspicio invictus exercitus,
" statim atque Britannise litus invaserat, universis navibus
" suis injecit ignes. . . . Ipse autem Signifer nefarise fac-
" tionis, cur ab eo litore, quod tenebat, abscessit, cur classem
" portumque deseruit, nisi quod te, Caesar invicte, cujus im-
" minentia vela conspexerat, timuit jam jamque venturum ?
" . . . Te tamen ille fugiens, incidit in tuorum manus ; a te
" victus, a tuis exercitibus oppressus est. Denique adeo tre-
"pidus, et te post terga respiciens, et in modum amentis
" attoniti properavit in mortem, ut nee explicaret aciem, nee
" omnes copias quas trahebat instruxerit, sed cum veteribus
" illis conjurationis auctoribus, et mercenariis cuneis bar-
"barorum, tanti apparatus oblitus, irruerit. Adeo, Csesar,

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBOltNE. 391

" hoc etium reipublic93 tribuit vestra felicitas, ut nemo fere
" llomanus occiderit, Imperio vincente Romano. Oinnes enim
" illos, ut audio, campos atque colles non nisi teterrimorum
" hostium corpora fusa texerunt. Ilia barbara, aut imitatione
" barbaria3 olim cultu vestis et prolixo crine rutilantia, tune
" vero pulvere et cruore fcedata, et in diversos situs tracta,
" sicuti dolorem vulnerum fuerant secuta, jacuerunt. Atque
" inter hos ipse Yexillarius latrocinii, cultu illo quern vivus
" violaverat sponte deposito, et vix unius velaminis repertus
" indicio. Adeo verum, ubi dixerat, morte vicina, ut inter-
" fectum se nollet agnosci.

" Enimvero, Caesar invicte, tanto Deorum Immortalium tibi
" est addicta consensu, omnium quidem quos adortus fueris
" hostium, sed praecipue internecio Francorum, ut illi quoque
" milites vestri, qui, per errorem nebulosi (ut paulo ante dixi)
" maris abjuncti, ad oppidum Londiniense pervenerant, quid-
" quid ex mercenaria ilia multitudine barbarorum proelio
" superfuerunt, cum direpta civitate fugam capessere cogi-
" tarent, passim tota urbe confecerint, et non solum pro-
" vincialibus vestris in caade hostium dederint salutem, sed
" etiam in spectaculo voluptatem."

The inferences to be drawn from this narrative appear to
me to correspond with those which I derive from the evidence
of the buried weapons and coins, and the tumuli upon the
ridges surrounding the basin of Woolmer Forest. If, as is
manifestly probable, Asclepiodotus landed between Ports-
mouth and Chichester, and if Portsmouth was the harbour
near which Allectus took up the position which he so hastily
abandoned, he would naturally fall back upon Clausentum
( Southampton) and Venta (Winchester) by the ordinary
Roman " iter ; " and, after collecting whatever treasure he
found in those places, the more southerly road, corresponding
with that which now goes by way of Alresford * and Alton |

* A writer on the antiquities of the neighbourhood of Bicester, Oxon.,
in Kennett'a ' Parochial Antiquities,' supposes (somewhat fancifully) that
the first syllable of the name of Alresford and of some other places was
derived from Allectus.

t Farnham was a military station ; whether identical with " Vindomis "

392 APPENDIX— ROMAN-BRITISH

towards Farnham and London, would probably be that which
he would take, as offering the best chance of escape, if he
were closely pursued. From Alton, if he heard that Con-
stantius was following him, by turning a few miles to the
southward, to the station or settlement which (as has been
seen) existed at or near Blackmoor, he would obtain the pro-
tection of a country, probably then more difficult of access, in
the immediate neighbourhood of the great Forest (Sylva
Anderida), which certainly extended as far north-west as a
part of Eogate, near the southern boundary of Selborne
parish, and possibly further. In order to account for his
meeting there with the Eoman army under Asclepiodotus,
nothing more is required than that we should suppose Con-
stantius, soon after landing, to have ordered his Praetorian
prefect to cross the hills, through the country of the Meanvari,
in the direction of Alton or Farnham, for the purpose of
cutting off the communication between Allectus and the
military stations to the east and north-east of Winchester.
The route which Asclepiodotus would follow in the execution
of such orders would naturally take him, by Porchester and
West Meon * (both Roman stations), either to the valley of

or not is a matter of controversy. Alton was certainly a Roman town.
About thirty or forty years ago some interesting remains were found
there, in ground now occupied as a timber-yard by Messrs. Dyer, some of
which are still in the possession of the Messrs. Dyer and others are in the
British Museum. They consisted of several sepulchral vases, set in dishes
or saucers ; two lachrymatories j a small wooden dice-box j a small lamp ;
and a signet-ring of onyx set in gold, which was still (when found) on
the calcined bone of the wearer's finger. On this seal are engraved four
small figures, set upright, parallel to each other, those in the centre
representing an amphora and an ear of bearded corn, between an axe with
fasces on one side and a quiver with arrows on the other. There were
also some small pieces of Samian, or British Samian, ware.

* There is an earthwork on Old Winchester Hill, at West Meon,
supposed to have been the caslra cestiva of a Roman garrison in the
country of the Meanvari, a tribe whose appellation is still preserved in
the names of East and West Meon and Meonstoke. At the meeting of
the Archaeological Association held at Winchester in. 1845, Colonel
Greenwood exhibited a Roman terra-cotta lamp found within this en-
campment, and some fragments of Roman pottery found in a barrow near

ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 393

Petersfield, up which he would move to Woolmer Forest
(reversing what Mr. Sewell describes as Vespasian's march), or
along the upper level of the chalk hills to Selborne or some
point near it, from which he might descend suddenly upon
the enemy in Woolmer Forest, unprepared for his approach.
The expressions of the orator, " te fugiens," " te post terga
respiciens," " incidit in tuorum manus," favour the hypo-
thesis of such a countermarch by Asclepiodotus; and nothing
can better agree with the character of the ground on which I
suppose the two armies to have met than the words " omnes
illos campos atque colles," which " teterrimorum hostium
corpora fusa texerunt." The dispersion of the bodies of the
fallen " in diversos situs tracta " agrees also with the positions
of the tumuli (some in groups and some isolated), which, if
my identification of the battle-field is correct, may perhaps
now cover, or formerly have covered, some of their remains.

S.
Blackmoor, November 1874.

[The following is the letter from Mr. Sewell to Gilbert White referred
to by Lord Selborne in his Lordship's paper. The original letter was
communicated to me by Algernon Holt White, Esq.— T. B.]

REV. SIR,

OUT of a large pot of Medals (about 3 years since) which
were found in Wulmere Pond, I collected a series from
Claudius Drusus to Commodus included; that is medals of all
the Romn Emp™ from An0 Dom1 43 to 194 with those of the
two Faustinas and Crispina Empress of Commodus; and after
Commodus I found no more. Also among the rest I found
that of Trajan's famous stone Bridge over the Danube, below
Belgrade; which, if it had been found when the three Bridges
at London were first plann'd (viz : Westminster, London and
Blackfriars Bridges) would then have been of very great

it, together with some remains of Roman weapons found at Bramdeau, a
few miles further north, in the same high chalky district.

304 APPENDIX— ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE.

value. Vespasian a general under Claudius Drusus, about
A,D. 47, marched down with a Roman army this way from
the Parts where London now is, towards Porchester, S.'
Hampton and the Isle of Wight. It is beautiful on Headley
Heath and Common to observe the Entrenchments of the
Romans and Britons, over against each other, the first ad-
vancing the other retreating. The Romans crossed Headley
River at Hanford and advanced to the place where now is
Wulmere Pond; and there fixed an abiding station or City,
which remained near an 150 years ; when they seem to have
been expelled thence by the Britons, or perhaps by an Earth-
quake, or some other cause. Great treasures lie buried even
now in that Pond of Roman Antiquities, of Coins and medals,
of Instruments of War and Husbandry, and various Utensils
for various uses. Of the vast quantity of Medals found there,
as you mention, about 40 years since, no kind of historical
use was ever made that I ever heard of; when this plain, and
obvious Historical Truth might easily from thence have been
deduced — the commencement, continuance or duration of the
Roman Station or City of Wulmere in Hants. I believe
from thence may be traced vestiges of Rom: roads to Por-
chester, Winton &c. The R* Honblc M. Legg got a great
Quantity of these Coins ; and with him they lye dormant : as
also a great Quantity with — Whitehead of Liphook, and
with Mr Hugonen. And this is the misfortune of most
Antiquities that they frequently fall into hands that can
collect nothing from them ; in whose coffers they are more
buried than if they were to lye in the depth of a Mine or of
Wulmere Pond. The greatest curiosity hereabouts is, as I
said, the advancement of the Roman Army to the S.W. over
Hindhead and over Headley Heath and Common. What
may be observed of this kind by way of Liphook over Hind-
head, I have not yet searched and examined.
I am, Sir, most respectfully,

Your obed* Serv*,

WM. SEWELL.

Headley, Aug. 7, 1777.

395

NOTE

ON SOME

RECENT DISCOVERIES IN SELBORNE CHURCH,

AND

THEIR BEARING ON THE HISTORY OF THE SUDINGTON
PRECEPTORY OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.

SOME very interesting discoveries have been made in Selborno
Church in the course of its restoration, which has taken place
during the progress of the second volume of this work
through the press. These, while generally confirming the
views which I ventured to express in a note at p. 287 of the
first volume*, have thrown new light upon the history of
some parts of the building, and particularly as affording
important illustrations of the relation which existed between
the parish church and the Knights Templars of Southington
(Sudington) Preceptory.

The introduction of this celebrated military order into
England took place early in the reign of Stephen, about the
middle of the twelfth century. On their establishment in
London, their first home was in the district of Oldbourne (the
site of the present Southampton Buildings), which, in the
reign of Henry II., was exchanged for the piece of ground to
which the name of the order has become permanently at-
tached, and which constituted the headquarters of the order
in England until its dissolution. It is not necessary here to

* I must here correct a mistake which I made in the note referred to.
I stated that there is no piscina in the chancel or the nave. On removing
the wainscot, however, which had for ages covered this part of the wall, a
good piscina of the early English style was exposed, which had been
entirely concealed.

396 APPENDIX.

enter into the general history of the Knights Templars*. As
regards their connexion with Selborne, all that was known
with any certainty is told by Gilbert White in his usual full
and interesting manner f. But still further illustrations of
this connexion have been brought to light in the course of
the recent explorations.

It is to the east end of the south aisle of the church that
the principal interest attaches with reference to this subject.
I have, in the note already alluded to, mentioned that in this
part exist all the essentials of sacramental furniture. Gilbert
White states that the east end of this aisle was called the
South Chantry, and adds that, " till within these thirty years "
(therefore within his recollection), it was " divided off by an
old carved Gothic framework of timber, having been a private
chantry." I have also stated that its boundary was still
further defined by its being raised above the general level of
the church floor by a stone step about 4 or 5 inches high, not
only across the aisle from north to south, but also enclosing
the area of the chapel by a similar step from west to east.
We have then full evidence that the east portion of the south
aisle formed a distinct chapel or chantry, separated by being
on a higher level, and by a carved wooden screen, and
furnished with an altar, a piscina, and a niche. The question
then arises, to whose use was this separate place of worship
appropriated ? The question I believe to be solved by the
recent researches.

Gilbert White states J that "two narrow stone coffin-lids
composed part of the floor " of the north transept. At
present, he says, "they have no coffins under them;" and
from this circumstance he very naturally concludes that this
was not the position which they originally occupied, but that

* Of the atrocious persecutions, the tortures, and slaughter to which
the Knights Templars were undeservedly subjected on the demolition of
their order, mainly from the avarice and through the machinations of
Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V., I need only refer to the
full and interesting account in Mill's ' History of the Crusades/ vol. ii.
p. 366 &c. (4th edit.).

t Vol. I. p. 316 &c.

f Vol. I. p. 284.

SELBORNE CHURCH. 397

they were brought hither from some part of a former church.
On one of these lids, he tells us, " is to be discerned a discus,
with a cross on it, at the end of a staff or rod, the well-known
symbol of a Knight Templar."

The discovery of no less than five stone coffin-lids in this
transept, not one of which had a coffin under it, confirms the
opinion that this was not their original situation, but that
they were brought to this spot by some graceless restorer to
serve as paving-stones. At what period this was done it is
impossible to say. There were no stone coffins found in the
transept, but a grave lined with stone, containing the decayed
remains of a wooden coffin and the bones of a man.

It is to the south chantry that we have to turn for the pro-
bable solution of the question. Here were found two stone
coffins, each covered with a lid. One of the coffins was about
two feet below the floor, exactly at the northern boundary of
the chantry ; the other partly built into the south wall. Each
is formed of a solid block of Sussex stone, and each con-
tained the skeleton of a man ; the workmanship was through-
out that of a skilled stonemason. There is in each, as is usual
in stone coffins of that period, a hollow for the head, and in
each case the skull occupied its original position within it.
There was also in each of them the usual hole at the bottom
of the coffin to drain off the moisture produced by the decay
of the body. The coffins are somewhat narrower at the foot
than at the head *, which is also the case with most of the lids
of which the coffins have not been found. In both the ske-
letons were perfect ; in the larger of them the tibia had been
broken and badly set, the two broken portions overlapping
each other. The other coffin is somewhat smaller and more
tapering.

I have now to describe those lids which are ornamented with
crosses. The most perfect of these covered one of the coffins

* The dimensions of this coffin are as follows : — Total outside length 6
feet 10 inches, breadth at the head 1 foot 10 inches, at the foot 1 foot 4
inches, the thickness of the stone parietes averaging about 3^ inches; the
horseshoe-shaped cavity for the head is 9^ inches in diameter and 7 inches
deep, being 1 inch above the floor of the coffin. The length of the in-
terior is 0 feet 3 inches. The other coffin is a little smaller.

398 APPENDIX— SELBORNE CHURCH.

which was found within the precincts of the south chantry.
The cross (see Plate facing p. 397) is of the form designated in
the language of heraldry the cross flory, and is so circular in its
outline as to give the impression that it is figured on the discus
of the Templars' symbol. There is a ring on the staff imme-
diately under the cross, which is also seen on another of the
crosses. On this cross is an element which I have never before
seen: at the intersections of its four angles are four hearts,
with the apices towards the centre. On one of the lids is a
simple cross^>a^ (Maltese), without staff or any other adjunct ;
the sides of the lid are broadly and deeply moulded. Nearly a
hundred tiles were found at a short distance below the sur-
face, evidently belonging to the thirteenth century ; almost
the whole of them are of the usual size, about 5J inches ; six
examples of these are figured in the opposite Plate. There is
one of a most extraordinary pattern, fully 6^ inches square,
which is also figured. These tiles undoubtedly paved the space
in front of the altar. All these relics appear to me to point
conclusively to the adaptation of this chantry or chapel to the
service of the Knights Templars. T. B.

M.B.cbel.

INDEX.

ACCOUNT-BOOK, Gilbert White's, ii.

81ft

Adanson, M., ii. 245.
Addison's ' Travels,' ii. 299.
Air, humming in the, i. 452.
Albinism in birds, i. 45.
Alfred, king, chapel founded by, i.

318.
Allectus, battle between Constantius

and, ii. 389.
Alton, Koman remains found at, ii.

392.

, stag-hunt at, i. 449.

Ameria, wife of Adam Gurdon, i. 307.
America, Seneca on the discovery of,

ii. 43.

Ampelis garndus, i. 37-
Amphibia, breeding of, i. 5.

— and reptilia found at Selborne,

i. 53 and note, ii. 360.
Andalusia, climate of, ii. 7-
Anderson, Eev. James, ii. 175.
Anecdote of a field-mouse, i. 14G.

of Mr. Pink, ii. lf>6.

of Gilbert White, i. 369.

Animal productions of Southern

Kuropi', ii. (>7-94.
Animals, oropy/j of, i. 145."
, influence of food on the c&lour

of, i. 45, 481.

and plants, Mr. Banks's collec-
tion of, ii. 99.
Anne, Queen, visit to Wohner forest

to see the red deer, i. 18.
Antiquities, i. 275, ii. 378.
Ants, migration of, i. 462.
Aphides, shower of, i. 245, 462.
Architecture of Church, i. 287 note,

ii. 395.

Aristotle, extract from, on the Capri-
s, ii. 224.

Armament, on the late (poem), i.

506.

Arno, the river, frozen over, ii. 121.
Arnold, Miles, Selborne parsonage

leased to, i. 364.
Ash trees, i. 470.
Ashford, Thomas, elected prior, i. 352.

, pension granted to, i. 360.

Attachment of animals of different

kinds to each other, i. 200.
Aurora anstralis, ii. 140.

borealis, i. 479.

Auk, little, i. 99 and note.
Ayles or Alice Holt, i. 25.

Badeisley, preceptory at, i. 317, ii.

131.

Bagshot, review at, ii. 284.
Balloon, Mr. Blanchard's, ii. 154.
Banks, Joseph, account of a visit to,

ii. 97.
, letter from Gilbert White to, ii.

241.
Barker, Miss Mary, letter from Gilbert

White to, ii. 176.
, Mrs., letters from Gilbert

White to, ii. 107, 109, 117, 135, 154,

165, 178.
, Samuel, letters from Gilbert

White to, ii. 96, 100, 105, 110-116,

118, 124-129, 133, 136, 138-142,

161, 163, 168, 173, 180.
, , letter from John White

to, ii. 103.
, Thomas, letters from Gilbert

White to, ii. 95, 101, 119, 123, 166,

171.
Barometers at Selborne and Newton

compared, i. 259.
Barragons manufactured at Alton, i.

15.

400

INDEX.

Barrington, Hon. Dairies, letters from
Gilbert White to, i. 113-274.

, controversy with Dr. Ducarel,

ii. 269.

Bat, great, if really a distinct species,
i. 92.

, , description of, i. 93.

, , method of feeding, i. 77.

Batrachia at Selborne, i. 50.

— , breeding of, i. 50, 53, 55, 58.
Bats, habits of, 34 and note.

species of, at Selborne, i. 33 and

note.

, tame, 34.

Battle of Woolmer forest, ii. 390.
Beachy Head, Cornish choughs found

at, i. 96.

Beans sown by birds, i. 473.
Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, i.

334.
Beeches, remarks on, i. 470, ii. 247,

249, 252, 258, 265, 268, 271, 281.
Bees, cucumbers set by, i. 474.
— — , fondness of an idiot boy for, i.

189.

Benefactors to Selborne priory, mass
ordered to be celebrated for, i.
361.

Bernes, Peter, appointed prior, i. 341,
348.

, indenture of certain things put

into the custody of, i. 340, 399.

, reduced to poverty, i. 351.

, resignation of, i. 343, 349.

Binn's or Bean's pond, i. 22, ii. 375.
Birds, albinism in, i. 45.

, beans sown by, i. 473.

• , change of colour in, cause of, i.

, choosing fresh mate after losing

the first, i. 82.

, different voices of, i. 222.

dusting themselves, i. 130.

found at Selborne, ii. 363.

, hard-billed, more easily im-
ported than soft-billed, i. 84.

, migration of, i. 87.

, non-migrating, food of, i. 104,

106.

, numerous species at Selborne,

i. 103.

, observations on, i. 423.

of passage, list of, i. 48.

of prey, boldness and rapacity

of, i. 434.

, soft^billed, which remain, i.

, 114.

, summer, i. 113.

Birds that sing as they fly, i. 118.
, their various kinds of flight, i.

220.
which are silent at midsummer,

i. 117.

which sing in the night, i. 116.

which sing till past midsummer,

i. 117.
which sing only in early spring,

i. 117;

, winter, i. 115.

with some note but no true song,

i. 118.

Black game, i. 18.
spring, severe season known by

the name of, i. 479.
Blackcap, i. 29.

, bird of passage, i. 29, 480.

, its song, i. 102, 120.

Blackmoor, i. 22.

, Eoman remains found at, ii.

379.

Blackthorn, i. 472.
Bog-moss used for brooms, i. 188.
Bog-oak at Wolmer, i. 17, note, 256.
Bohemian chatterer, i. 37.
Bombylius medius, i. 460.
Botanizing excursion through Wales,

ii. 234.

Botany, on the study of, i. 215.
Botetourt, Lord, on civility, ii. 210.
Bourn well head, ii, 207.
Brambling, migration of, i. 75.
Bridge over the rivulet at Oakhanger,

i. 364.

Brimstone Lodge, Wolmer, i. 21.
Brydone, P., ii. 276.
Bull issued by Pope Innocent VIII.,

i. 359.

— issued by Pope Martin, i. 337.
Bullfinch, change of colour in a, i.

45, 98, ii. 101.
Bunting, cirl, i. 40, note.

, common, rare at Selborne, i. 40.

Bustard, habits of the, i. 89, 482.
Butcher-bird, i. 96.
, red-backed, i. 60.

Butt-wood close, i. 363.

Butterflies found at Selborne, ii. 368.

Calendar, Gilbert White's garden, ii.
347.

, naturalist's, comparative view

of the, kept at Selborne and Cats-
field, i. 405.

Cancers, toads used for curing, i. 57-

Cane or Kine, a small variety of
weasel, i. 44.

INDEX.

401

Canons of Selborne fond of hunting,

i. .-us.

Capri in nl <i UK. extract from Aristotle

on the, ii. 224.
C';ir;i usius establishes an empire in

Hritain, ii. 388. -

Carnivora found at Selborne, ii. 362.
Carp retire in winter, i. 102.
Carpenter, Kichard, preceptor of

Sudington, i. 320.
Castration, its effects, i. 198.
Cat, young squirrels suckled by a, i.

44J.
Catalogue of animals sent to Linnaeus

by John White, ii. 85.
Catsfield, naturalist's calendar kept

at, i. 41 >f).

Cattle resorting to water, i. 23.
• , fatal effects on, from eating

leaves and twigs of the yew-tree, i.

292, ii. 260.
Chaffinch, separation of the sexes in

their migration, i. 39, 46.
Chaffinches, flocks of -female, i. 98, 132.
Chalk of Selborne, fossils found in the,

ii. 376.
Chandler, Dr., ii. 61.

— , letter from, ii. 132.
Chantry, Selborne priory reduced to

a, i. 362.

Chapel of Whaddon, i. 364.
Chapone, Mrs., ii. 108.
Charter for the foundation of Selborne

priory, i. 375.
- respecting the choosing of a

prior, i. 323, 377.
Chaucer, the clergy ridiculed by, i.

338.
Cheiroptera found at Selborne, ii.

862.
Chestnut, magnificent Spanish, at

Tort worth, ii. 253.
, old London built of, ii. 266,

269.

— timber, i. 471.

Chif-cliai1, remarks on the, ii. 280, 286.
Chloritic marl of Selborne, fossils

found in the, ii. 376.
marl, springs issuing from the,

ii. 374.
Church, recent discoveries in Selborne,

ii. 3! »5.

bells, i. 288.

yard, i. 289.

Churton, Rev. R., correspondence

between Gilbert White and, ii. 186-

230.

hr, chirping note of the, ii. 42.

VOL. ii.

linearis, breeding-habits of, i.

455.

Clausentum, the Roman, ii. 387-
Cleanliness in sacred matters, i. 331.
Cobwebs covering the ground, i. 180.

, shower of, i. 180.

Coccus of the vine, i. 243.

— , its history, i. 244.
Cockchaffers, damage done by, i. 452.
Cockroaches, swarms of, i. 454.
Coffin-lids, stone, found in Selborne

church, i. 284, ii. 397.
Coins found in Woolrner pond, i. 24,

277, 278, ii. 378.
Colour of animals, influence of food

on the, i. 45, 481.

Conchifera found at Selborne, ii. 367.
Condensation, test of, ii. 115.
Conduit wood, spring of water in, i.

363.
Congregating of birds, causes of, i.

133, 140.
Constantius, battle between Allectus

and, ii. 389.
Conveniences enjoyed by the priory,

i. 372.
Copulation of frogs, i. 51, ii. 245,

248, 252, 270.

Corn-mill at Selborne priory, i. 365.
Cornish choughs at Beachy Head, i.

96.
Cor/ma Ammonis, localities where

found, i. 8, 480.
Cornwallis, the Hon. E., ii. 47.
Court-leet held at the Grange, i. 371.
Courtney, Peter, Bishop of Winches-
ter, i. 360.

Cowthorpe oak, ii. 247.
Cricket, field, i. 230.

— , house, i. 233.

, mole, i. 235.

Crickets, supposed rumination of, i.

236 and note.
Crocus, on the blowing of the (poem).

i. 504, ii. 195.
Crossbill, i. 32 arid note, 480.

— at Ringmer, i. 131.
Cuckoo, . its habits, i. 122, 123, 125,

1 ::•<>. -f^i. ii. 255,256.
, supposed anatomical cause of

its not incubating, i. 195.

, ditto, refuted, i. 197.

and fern-owl, resemblance be-
tween, i. 112.

Cucumbers set by bees, i. 474.
Cullum, Sir John, ii. 287-
Cundytli wood, i. 363.
Curlew, stone, migration of the, i. 438.
2D

402

INDEX.

Curtis, William, on the geology of
Selborne, ii. 374.

England, i. 88, note.

Daw, power of flight of a, ii. 130.
Deer, fallow, in the Holt forest, i. 26.

• , red, in Wolmer forest, i. 18, 19.

, suborbital glands of, i. 43, 44.

— stealers, i. 19 et seq.
Derham on sounds made under water,

ii. 307.

Dew condensed by ponds, i. 194.
Discovery of the harvest-mouse, i. 36,

ii. 26.
Dissensions between religious orders,

i. 317.
Diver, great speckled, observations

on, i. 435.

Dodecafheon media, ii. 233.
Dog, Chinese, i. 254.
Dogs, anecdotes of, ii. 283, 286.

, peculiar habits of, i. 255.

Drought, dripping weather after, i.

478.

Dryderi and Pope, ii. 106, 111.
Ducarel, Dr., ii. 268,269.
Duck with arms of the king of Den-
mark on its collar, i. 136.
Dufour's fire-escape, description of,

ii. 360.

Earthenware vases found at Selborne,

ii. 381.
Earthworms, i. 464.

— , beneficial, i. 201, 202, note.
Ecclesiastical tiles found in Selborne

church, ii. 398.
Echoes, i. 209.
, Lucretius's description of, i.

212, 213.

of firing cannon, i. 258.

Eels, breeding of, i. 100.

Ela Longspee, i.321.

Election of a prior, mode of, i. 334.

— , dispute about the, i. 345.
Elm, extraordinary large, ii. 273, 274,

278.

Empedes, swarms of, i. 462.
Emperors, coins of Roman, found at

Selborne, ii. 382.

Empshott, etymology of, i. 1, note.
England, floods in, ii. 105.
English and a Norman ship, quarrel

between the crews of an, i. 314.
poetry, sentiments on, ii. 106,

111.

Epitaph of Rev. Andrew Etty, i. 286.
of Mr. Ray, ii. 223.

Epitaph of Gilbert White, i. 286.
Estates, tenure of the Selborne, i.

372.
Eumenius on the battle of Woolmer

forest, ii. 390.
Europe, Southern, animal productions

of, ii. 67-94.

Fair held at Selborne, i. 372.
Fairwise, Thomas, appointed prior, i.

345.

Fairy rings, i. 475.
Falcon, peregrine, i. 35, 253, 480.
Fauna Calpensis, Gilbert White's

sentiments on the, ii. 45, 49.
Fern-chafer, i. 102.
Fern-owl, habits of the, i. 439, ii. 251.
, migration of the, ii. 273.

— , torpidity of the, ii. 246.
Ferns found at Selborne, ii. 372.
Field -cricket, i. 230.
Field-fare, i. 79.

— breeds in Sweden, i. 134.
Field-mouse, anecdote of, i. 146.
Fire-escape, description of Dufour's,

ii. 360.
Fish, gold and silver, i. 246.

— , sense of hearing in, ii. 304.

— , sleep of, ii. 139.
, species of, at Selborne, i. 32 and

note, 56, 57.

Flea of sand-martin, i. 169 and note.
Flies, observations on, i. 461.
Flight of birds, various kinds of, i.

220.

Floods in England, ii. 105.
Flora of Selborne, i. 217, ii. 369.
Flowing of sap, i. 469.
Fly-catcher, i. 29, 48.

— , its habits, i. 103.
Fog, reflection of, i. 477.
Food, influence of, on the colour of

animals, i. 45, 481.

of the ring-dove, i. 433.

of the cuckoo, ii. 113.

Forest-fly, i. 151 and note.

Forms respecting the choosing of a

prior, i. 323, 377.
Forster on the aurora australis, ii.

140.
Fossil wood of Woolmer forest, i.

256.

Fossils found at Selborne, i. 7, ii. 376.
Foundation of live priory of Selborne,

charter for the, i. 375.
Franklin. Dr., on sounds made under

water, 'ii. 307.
Freestone, i.8.

INDEX.

403

Frog, green, i. 53 and note.

Frills coming out in rainy weather,

reason for, i. 52,481.
. copulation of, i. 51, ii. 245, 248,

2:>2, 270.
Frost, partial, i. 476.

— , remarkable, in 1770, i. 2(53.

— , remarkable, in I'/ 84, i. 267.
Frozen sleet, i. 477, ii. 40.

Galls of Lombard y poplar, i. 470.
Garden kalendar, Gilbert White's,

ii. 347.
Gardens for the poor, importance of,

i. 207.
Gassendi, effects of music, i. 251, ii.

14f>. 193.

Gasteropoda found at Selborne,ii. 367.
Geology of Selborne, ii. 374.
Gibbon, Mr., ii. 120.
Gibraltar, on the natural history of,

ii. 21)0.

— quail, ii. 6, note.
Gilphi, William, ii. 276.
Glowworms, i. 464.
Goatsucker, habits of the, i. 439.

— , Pennant's mistake about its

noise, i. 65, note, 67, 93.
Godesfield, preceptory at, i. 317, ii.

131.

Gold and silver fish, i. 246.
Gossamer, i. 180, 182 and note, ii. 116,

142.

Gough,Mr., ii. 211.
Gracious-street, a. term not under-
stood, i. 371.

Grange, the priory, i. 371.
Grasses, a knowledge of, useful, ii. 127.
Grasshopper-lark, i. 48, 50 note.
Graves, supposed, of Knights Temp-
lars, i. 284, ii. 390.
Great speckled diver, observations on,

i. 435.
Grebes, erroneous ideas respecting, i.

438.

Grimm, S. E., ii. 48.
Gross-beaks, i. 32 and note.

, food of, i. 4-1(5.

Growth and size of trees, i. 467, ii.

247. 249, 2:>2, 257, 258, 264, 270,

273, 275, 277, 278, 281, 288.
Gurdon, Sir Adam, i. 3H(i.

— , made warden of Wokner forest,

i. 312.
Gypsies, i. 184.

Habits of the old family tortoise, i.
373.

Habits of thrushes, i. 426.
Hales, Dr., ii. 244, 248, 261, 263.

— , on dew, i. 195.
Hanger, the, i. 2.
Hare, Francis, ii. 253.
Hare, white or Scottish, i. 75 and

note.
Hartley Mauditt, orthography of, i. 2,

note.

Harvest-bug, i. 89, note.
Harvest-mouse, i. 29, 35, 36 and note,

42.

— , discovery of the, i. 36, ii. 26.
Harvest scene (poem), i. 503, ii. 197.
Harwood, Sir Busick, ii. 211.
Hawfinch, i. 32 and note.
Hawk killed by poultry, i. 225.
Hawkley, landslip at, i. 227, ii. 27,

103, 375.

Hawks, nesting-places of, i. 100.
Headley Heath, Eoman and British

entrenchments on, ii. 386, 394.
Hearing in fishes, on the sense of, ii.

304.
Heat, extraordinary, in 1781 and 1783,

i. 270.

Heath-fires, why lighted, i. 2] , 480.
Hedgehogs, their habits, i. 78.
Hedge-sparrow, habits and food of, i.

105.

Heliotrope, suggestions for a, i. 225.
Hen harrier, boldness of a, i. 434.
Heronry at Cressi Hall, i. 64, 67.
Hesiod on the note of the Cicada, ii. 42.
Hibernation of swallows, i. 142.
Himantopus, i. 237, 238 note.
Hippobosca hirundinis, i. 151.
Hirundines, on various, ii. 6, 22, 30,

33, 35, 127, 246, 249, 257, 272, 291,

302, 443.
Hirundo rupestris of Scopoli identical

with H. hyberna, i. 86.
Hobart, John, ii. 275.
Hobby on IS'ore hill, i. 254, note.
Hogmoor, fragments of weapons found

at, ii. 386.
Hollow lanes, i. 11.
Holt, Ayles, account of, i. 25.
Holt forest, i. 25, 26.
forest, large oak in, ii. 247,

302.

Honey-buzzard, i. 108.
Honey-dew, origin of, i. 478, 485.

— , cause and effect of, i. 270.
Hoopoe, i. 31 and note.
Hop-fly, i. 245.
Hop-gardens, humming sound heard

in, 114, 121.

404

INDEX.

Hops, culture of, i. 472.

Home, George, ii. 287.

Horse, instinct shown by a, i. 449.

House-cricket, i. 233, 445.

House-martins, flocks of, ii. 272.

• , nidification of, i. 152.

House-pigeon, origin of, i. 109.

House-swallows partial to water, i.
252.

Humming in the air, i. 452.

Hunter, Mr., on the sight of the night-
ingale, ii. 256.

Hunting, canons of Selborne fond of,
i. 328.

Hurtsmonceux castle, ii. 268.
— park, beeches in, ii. 265.

Huxham s remarks on rain, i. 258.

Hybrid pheasant, description of a,
i. 430.

Hyde abbey, i. 318, 355.

Hi/la viridis, i. 53 and note.

Ichneumon fly, spider attacked by a,

i. 459.
Idiot boy, his fondness for -bees and

immunity from their stings, i. 189.
Immunities and privileges enjoyed by

Selborne priory, i. 3(56.
Impropriation of Selborne priory, i.

Indenture of certain things put into

the custody of Peter Bernes, sacrist

of Selborne priory, i. 340, 399.
Indians, South - Sea, instruments &c.

used by, ii. 98.
Insectivora found at Selborne, ii.

362.
Insects, birds of prey occasionally feed

on, i. 424, 485.

, noxious, i. 89, 91 notes.

, en various, ii. 4, 8, 37.

and Vermes, observations on, i.

451.

Instinct, modifications of, i. 250.
Invitation to Selborne (poem), i. 499,

ii. 36.

Ireland, natural history of, i. 106.
Iron-stone, remarkable forms of, i.

10, note.

Italy, on a tour through, ii. 224.
Ivy, insects supported by, i. 451.
Ivy-berries, i. 472.

Jackdaws, nesting-places of, i. 62, ii.

217, 218.
Japan plants thriving in our climate,

i. 484.
Jekyll, Sir Joseph, ii. 263.

Kalendar, Gilbert White's garden, ii>

347.

Kent, Nathaniel, ii. 276.
King John's hill, i. 22.
Kite's hill, tumulus known as, i. 371.
Knights Templars, i. 316.

, supposed graves of, i.

284, ii. 396.

Lakes in Wolmer, names of, i. 21, 23.

in Woliner forest, wild fowl fre-
quenting, i. 33.

Land-rail, observations on a, i. 431.

Lands and manors pertaining to Sel-
borne priory, value of the, i. 401.

Landslip at Hawkley, i. 227, ii. 27,
103, 375.

Langelande, Robert, the clergy ridi-
culed by, i. 338.

Langrish, Nicholas, pension granted
to, i. 362.

Lathrcea squammaria,u. 241.

Lavants, i. 166.

Leaves, renovation of, i. 470.

Leigh, Dr., ii. 283.

Leprosy, case of, i. 205.

Leveret nursed by a cat, i. 200.

Leverian museum, i. 164 andwofc.

Licentiousness of religious societies, i.
338.

Lightfoot, Rev. John, letters from, to
Gilbert White, ii. 231, 233.

Lime-blossoms, i. 471.

Linnteus, correspondence between the
Eev. John White and, ii. 67-94.

List of the priors of Selborne Priory,
i. 353.

Living of Selborne, i. 294.

Lizard, green, i. 64, 67.

Loach, description of, i. 57.

Lombardy poplar, galls of, i. 470.

London, old, built of chestnut, ii. 266,
269.
— smoke, i. 477.

Longevity at Selborne, i. 15 and note.

Lucomb's oak, ii. 54.

Madagascar, tridactyl quail from,

ii. 6.
Magdalen College, grants to, i. 3J1,

355.

Malm, black, i. 3.
-, white, i. 4, ii. 376.

rock, hollow lane cut through

the, ii. 376.

Mammalia found at Selborne, ii. 362.
Manors and lands pertaining to Sel-
borne priory, value of the, i. 401.

INDEX.

405

Markwick, W., naturalist's calendar
kqit by, i. 41 Jf>.

, observations on various parts of

nut ure, i. 421.

Marshain. Hubert, correspondence be-
tween Gilbert White and, ii. 243-
308.

Martins, house-, search for hibernation
of. i. 241, 24S.

, second broods of, i. 154.

urdeivd to be celebrated for be-
nefactors to Selborne priory', i. 361.

Mayflies, myriads of, i. 457.

Medals and coins found in Woolmer
pond, ii. 378.

Meteorological diary, i. 476, ii. 143.

Middleton on modern Eoiae, ii. 181.

Migration discussed, i. 135, 136, 137.

— disputed by Barrington, i. 135.

— not wholly on account of food,
i. 133.

of birds, i. 39, 41, 42, 481, ii.

24:».
of frogs, i. 52.

— of swallows, i. 67, 68.
- of the Grallse, i. 139.

Military orders of the religious, i. 316.
Miller, Philip, letter from, to Gilbert

White, ii. 347.
Miscellaneous letters, ii. 231.
Missel-thrush breeds near houses, i.

179 and note.

Mist, called London smoke, i. 477.
Mole-cricket, i. 235.
Mollusca found at Selborne, ii. 367.
Monastic societies, licentiousness of, i.

888.
Montagu, Lieut.-Col., letters from, to

(iillH-rt White, ii.236, 239.
Monument to the Rev. A. Etty, i.

286.

to Mr. Ray, ii. 223.

to Gilbert White, i. 286.

Moose-deer, description of, i. 79, 83.

Morning clouds, i. 478.

Morion, John, elected prior, i. 343.

Moss, Charles, ii. 282.

Mosses, sexuality of, ii. 124.

NuhiciUa jicedula, ii. 16.

Moths found at Selborne, ii. 368.

Mulso, Miss Hecky, Timothy theTor-

t<»i>i- to, ii. 183.
Munificence of Bishop Wykeham, i.

882.
Music, its effect on the mind, i. 251,

ii. 145, 193.
Musical keys of the voices of birds,

i. 139.

Mustelinum, supposed species of the
genus, i. 44, 48 1.

Natter-jack, i. 55.

Naturalist's calendar kept at Sel-
borne and Catsfield, comparative
view of the, i. 405.

summer-evening walk (poem), i.

70.

Nature, on various parts of, i. 421.

Nephew, letters from Gilbert White
to his, ii. 143, 170.

New Forest, German boars in the,
ii. 480.

New-Zealanders, customs of the, ii. 98.

Newton Valence, origin of name, i. 2,
note.

Nidification modified by circum-
stances, i. 250.
— of the osprey. ii. 246.

of rooks, i. 425.

of swallows, i. 152, 161.

Nightingales, different sounds of, i.
100.

, limits of their visit, i. 137.

, sight of, ii. 256.

Norman ship, quarrel between the
crews of an English and a, i. 314.

Nose-fly, torture caused to horses by
the, i. 459.

Notitia Monastica, extracts from
Bishop Tanner's, i. 366.

Nuthatch, i. 50 and note.

Oak on the Plestor, i. 5.

Oaks at Blackmoor and Temple, i. 6.

, remarks on, ii. 247, 249, 252,

258, 264, 268, 270, 273, 274, 277,

282, 289.

Oakhanger, rivulet at, i. 364.
CEdicnemits crepitans, i. 45 and note.
Oestrus curvicauda, i. 459.
Omens, on deriving, from accidental

events, ii. 152.

Orchids found at Selborne, ii. 372.
Osprey at Frinsham pond, i. 96.
, nesting of the, at the lake of Kil-

larney, ii. 246.
Ostrea carinata, i. 8, note.
Otter found at Selborne, i. 83.
Owl, barn or white, i. 33.

, barn, occasionally hoots, i. 148.

, brown, i. 33.

, eagle-, i. 7<>.

Owls hoot in various keys, i. 138.

, pigeons attacked by, i. 82.

, species of, in the neighbourhood

of Selborne, i. 149, note.

406

INDEX.

Owls, structure of wing-feathers of, i.

149, note.
, their habits of feeding, &c., i.

148, 484.
Oxen, fatal effects on, from eating

leaves and twigs of the yew-tree, i.

292, ii. 260.

Paradyss ruede, i. 362.
Parliamentary acts respecting Wolrner

forest, i. 312.

Parsonage of Selborne leased, i. 364.
Partial frost, i. 476.
Partridge, solicitude for its young, i.

429.
Passus Decimus of Piers Plowman,

extract from, i. 339.
Peacock, tail of, its true position, i.

92

Peat cut in Wolmer forest, ii. 279.
Pennant, Thomas, letters from Gilbert

White to, i. 1-112.
Peregrine falcon shot near Wolrner

forest, i. 253.

Pettichaps, remarks on the, i. 252.
Phal&na quercus, damage done to oaks

by, i. 456.
Pheasant, description of a hybrid, i.

430, 485.

Phenomena in 1783, i. 271, 485.
Philip the Hardy, i. 314.
Piers Plowman, the clergy ridiculed

by, i. 338.

Pigeon, house-, origin of, i. 109.
Pigeon -hawk, ii. 240.
Pigeons attacked by owls, i. 82.
Pink, Mr., anecdote of, ii. 156.
Plants found at Selborne, i. 217, ii.

369.
, various times of flowering, i.

219.

and animals, Mr. Banks's collec-
tion of, ii. 99.
Plestor, the, i. 5, 310.
Poems, i. 499.
Ponds in Wolmer forest named after

extinct animals, i. 23, note.
Pope Innocent VIII., bull issued by,

i. 359.

Pope Martin, bull issued by, i. 337.
Population of Selborne, i. 13, 14.
Portland, Duke of, ii. 295.
Position of the church, i. 290.
Pottery, Roman, found at Blackmoor,

ii. 380.

Poultry, sagacity shown by, i. 427.
Preceptores and preceptorium, mean-
ing of, i. 320.

Preceptories in Southampton, i. 317.

Prediction, remarkable, concerning re-
ligious houses, i. 339.

Prettejohn, Mr., on Roman - British
remains found at Selborne, ii. 378,
385.

Prior, dispute about the election of a,
i. 345.

— , forms respecting the choosing
of a, i. 323, 377.

Priors, list of the, of Selborne priory
i. 353.

Priory of Selborne, i. 299, 375.

, impropriation of the, i. 355.

lands leased out, i. 362.

, privileges and immunities en-
joyed by the, i. 366.

, the, a source of prosperity to

Selborne, i. 373.

, Wayneflete endeavours to re-
form the, i. 354.

Ptinus pectinicornis , damage done to
furniture by, i. 453.

Puckeridge, cause of, i. 439, ii. 213,
216, 250.

Quadrupeds, observations on, i. 448.
Quail, tridactyl, from Madagascar,
ii. 6.

Eabbits, finest turf made by, i. 448.
Rain, measurement of, i. 12, 488,

ii. 167, 173, 176, 178, 194, 206.
Rainbow, on the (poem), i. 502, ii.

147, 149.

Rapacity of birds of prey, i. 434.
Raven-tree, the, i. 6.
Ray, Mr., epitaph of, ii. 223.
Redbreast, song of, i. 101.
Redshank, spotted, i. 59, note.
Redstart, its song and habits, i. 103.
Redwings breed in Sweden, i. 134.
Reed-thrush of Latham, ii. 9, note.
Reflection of fog, i. 477.
Register, Beaufort's, i. 334, 336.

— , Waynflete's, extracts from, i.

341-349.
Registers of Gilbert White's familv,

ii. 95.

Relics of Selborne priory, i. 370.
Religious, military orders of the, i. 316.

houses embarrassed, i. 333.

, remarkable prediction con-
cerning, i. 339.

— orders, dissensions between, i. 31 7.
Renovation of leaves, i. 470.
Reptilia, species of, at Selborne, i. 53,

ii.366.

INDEX.

407

»ir in Conduit wood, i. 363.
Revenues of Selborne priory, i. 337,

34a

Rhodian children, as they go a swal-
lowing (poem), i. 505.

Ring-dove breeding near house, i. 179,
note.
— , food of the, i. 433.

Ring-ouzel, i. 37.

, migration of, i. 60, 63, 69, 72,

75,84,95.

in Sussex, i. 131, 159.

— shot in Norfolk, ii. 254.
Ringraer, crossbills at, i. 131.
Rivulet at Oakhanger. i. 3<i4.

Road, on a bad, ill-mended (poem),

i. 506.
Rock-dove, origin of house-pigeon, i.

109, 110.
Roman-British antiquities of Selborne,

ii. 378.
Rome, difficulties started at, respecting

Selborne priory, i. 359.

— , information sent to, respecting

the priory, i. 336.
Rookery at Ringmer, i. 160.
Rooks, nidification of, i. 425.
, their evening voices, i. 257.

— accompanied by other birds, i.
141, 483.

Ruins of Selborne priory, i. 369.
Rushes used for candles, i. 186, 188,
note.

Sagacity of a willow- wren, i. 146.

— shown by poultry, i. 427.
Salii-aria, i. 69, 73, 76.

Samford, Robert, grants made by, to
Selborne priory, i. 319, ii. 133.

Sand-martin, its history, i. 167, &c.
— , nidification of, i. 442.

Sandpiper, three species of, found at
Selborne, i. 59, note.

Sandwich, Lord, ii. 262.

•Sap, flowing of, i. 4(>(.).

Satire, fragment of a, i. 506.

Scarabcsus fnllo, i. 69.

Scheik Sefi, interview between Tamer-
lane and, ii. 153.

Scopoli's ' Annus Primus,' mistakes in,
i. 85.

Scotland, a visit to, ii. 231.

, its natural history and geogra-
phy, i. 107.

Scrutiny, mode of electing a prior by,
i. 346.

Sedge-bird, i. 99, ii. 12.

Seed lying dormant, i. 473.

Selborne a Saxon village, proof of,

i. 279, note.

— , extent of parish, i. 11.

— , its extent and boundaries, i.

1^.

, its streams, i. 3.

, Lord, on Roman-British an-
tiquities, ii. 378.

— , naturalist's calendar kept at, i.

405.

— , variously spelt and etymology

of, i. 279, note.
church, description of, i. 282.

— church, recent discoveries in, ii.
395.

fair, i. 372.

hanger (poem), i. 501.

parsonage leased, i. 364.

— priory, charter for the founda-
tion of, i. 375.

— priory granted to Magdalen col-
lege, i. 355.

priory, list of the priors, i. 353.

priory, privileges and immunities

enjoyed by, i. 366.
priory, value of the manors and

lands pretaining to, i. 401.

— priory, sequestration of, i. 342.
priory, Wayneflete endeavours

to reform, i. 354.

Self-defence, early instinct of, i. 197.
Sermon by Gilbert White, ii. 308.
Serpents, three species of, at Selborne,

their different habits and food, i. 55,

note.
Sewell, W., on Roman remains found

in Woolmer pond, ii. 393.
Seymour, Francis, ii. 275.
Sharp, John, elected prior, i. 350.

— , priory lands leased to, i. 362.
Sheep, embarassment shown by, i.

448.

— , different breeds of, i. 158.
Sheffield's, Mr., account of a visit to

Mr. Banks, ii. 97.
Shivering wren, ii. 12.
Short-winged birds, migration of, i.

158.

Shrew-ash, i. 191.
Silbury hill, ii. 159.
Silk, electricity from, ii. 201.
Silver and gold fish, i. 246.
Size and growth of trees, i. 467, ii.

247, 249, 252, 257, 258, 264, 268,

270, 273, 275, 277, 278, 281,288.
Skinner, Mr., letter from, to Gilbert

White, ii. 234.
Sleet, rooks frozen by, i. 477, ii. 40.

408

INDEX.

Smith, W., on the migration of swal-
lows, ii. 245.

Snails and slugs, i. 465.

Snake, its odour when irritated, i. 74.

Snake's slough, i. 465.

Snipes, sound produced by, in descend-
ing, i. 98 and note.

, voice of, i. 50.

Sociality of animals, i. 183.

Soil, effect of, on thermometers, i. 271.

Song, influence of the male bird's, i.
482.

Sotmds made under water, ii. 307.

South-Sea Indians, instruments &c.
used by, ii. 98.

Soutlungton, preceptory at, i. 317, ii.
131.

Southwell, T., on some incidents in
the life of T. Marsham, ii. 243.

Sow, remarkably prolific, i. 199.

Spanish chestnut, magnificent, at
Tortworth, ii. 253.

Sparrow-hawk, i. 108.

Sparrows, building-places of, i. 101.

Sphinxes found at Selborne, ii. 368.

Sphynx ocellata, habits of, i. 457.

Sponge, experiment with, ii. 115.

Sponsors and their god-children, re-
lationship between, i. 330.

Spoonbills, flock of, ii. 43.

Spring of water in Conduit wood, i.
363.

Sprout-cale, i. 207, 484.

Squirrels, young, suckled by a cat, i.
449.

Stag-hunt at Alton, i. 449.

Star-sluch, ii. 193, 196.

Stawell, Lord, ii. 260.

Stepe, prior of Selborne, i. 340, 341.

Sticklebacks, i. 32, 56.

Stilt-plover, i. 237, 238, note.

Stoat, pied specimens of, i. 450.

Stockdove, i. 96, 109.

breeds at Selborne, 97 note, ii.

254.

Stone coffin-lids found in Selborne
church, i. 284, ii. 397.

Stone-curlew, i. 46, 61, 88.
— , nocturnal flight of the, i. 257.
— , migration of the, i. 438.

Stoneleigh park, fine oaks in, ii. 258.

Storm of wind, ii. 141.

Strangers appointed priors, i. 344, 346,
350.

Stratford, bishop of Winchester, i.
324.

Stuart, Sir S., letter from, to Gilbert
White, ii. 264.

Sudington preceptory, relation be-
tween Selborne church and, ii. 395.
Summer birds, migration interrupted,

i. 81.
Superstitions at Selborne, i. 190, 192,

note.

Sussex downs described, i. 157.
Swallow, chimney, early arrival of, i.

160.
, , habits of the, 162, 163, et

scq.
, , its nest-places, i. 161 and

note.
, its second brood, i. 162.

— , remarkable situation of the nest

of a, i. 164.
tribe, on the annual increase in

the, ii. 246, 249.
— washing, i. 97.
Swallows congregate before leaving, i,

37, 444.
, difference in the tails of the

different sexes, i. 100.
, migration of, i. 67, 68.

— , reappearance of, i. 28, 204.
, their history, i. 150, 158, 169-

172.
, their supposed torpidity, i. 27,

28, 38, 95.
, time of arriyal at different places,

i. 178, 483.

Swift, delayed departure of, i. 242.
, Gibraltar, found occurring in

England, i. 88, note.

drinks on the wing, i. 99.

• , its history, i. 171, &c., 175 note,

213.
, number of eggs laid by, ii. 33,

35.

of a different genus from swal-
lows, i. 176, note.

, time of its arrival, i. 98.

, time of departure, i. 94, 175. ii.

272.

Swine, various names for, ii. 158.
Sycamores, i. 470.
Sylvester, Thomas, Selborne parsonage

leased to, i. 364.
Systema Naturae, proposed new edition

of, ii. 66, 77, 89.

Tabanus bovinm, ii. 116, 142.
Tamerlane, interview between Scheik

Sefi and, ii. 152.
Tan-house garden, i. 363.
Teals taken at Oakhanger ponds, ii.

12, 15.
taken at Wolmer, i. 99.

INDEX.

409

Tempest near London, ii. 102.
Tenure of the Selborne estates, i. 372.
Test of condensation, ii. llf>.
Tiles, ecclesiastical, found in Selborne

church, ii. 398.
Timber, large fall of, in the Holt, i.

20.

— , value of, in Wolmer forest, ii.

279.
Titmouse, habits of different species,

i. 105, IOC).

— , notes of different species, i. 101.
Thaws, observations on, i. 476.
Thrushes, habits of, i. 426.
Thunderstorm, account of, i. 272.
Toad, a tame one, i. 52.

— , poisonous exudation from skin,

i. 51, note.

Toads used for curing cancers, i. 57.
Torpidity of swallows, i. 204, 443.
Tortoise (Timothy), i. 131, ii. 182.

( ) become Gilbert White's

property, i. 239.

(— — ), its habits, i. 143, 144,

484.

- ( ), letter from, to Miss H.

Mulso, ii. 183.
-, more particulars respecting the

old family, i. 373.
at Ringmer, i. 159.

Tortoises, various forms of sternum in,
i. 241, note.

Tortworth, magnificent Spanish chest-
nut at, ii. 253.

Townsend, Joseph, ii. 269.

Townson, Dr., it. 209, 224.

Trees act as "alembics," i. 192.
— , on the size and growth of, i.
467, ii. 247, 249, 252, 257, 258, 264,
268, 270, 273, 275, 277, 278, 281,
288.

, order of losing their leaves, i.

467.

Tremella nostoc, i. 475.

Truffles, i. 474.

Tumuli at Selborne, ii. 384.

Turkey, fertility of a, ii. 288, 290.

Turtle-dove at Selborne, i. 97, note.

Tylehouse grove, i. 363.

Ulnius montana, i. 5, note.
Upper Greensand of Selborne, fossils
found in the, ii. 377.

Value of the manors and lands per-
taining to Selborne priory, i. 401.

Vase discovered in the priory ruins, i.
370.

VOL. II.

Vases, earthenware, found at Selborne,

ii. 381.
Vegetable food, value and increase of,

i.207.

Vegetables, observations on, i. 467.
Vegetation, influence of south-west

exposure on, ii. 120, 122.
Vermes and insects, observations on,

i. 451.

Versification, the art of, ii. 106, 111.
Vespasian, station of, at Woolmer

pond, ii. 38G, 394.
Vicars, list of, i. 294.
Viper, early instinct of self-defence, i.

197.
Vipers swallowing their young, i. 54

and note.
Virgil's allusion to the swallow, i. 165,

166.
Visitation held at Selborne priory by

Wykeham, i. 326, 381.
Voices of birds, i. 222.

Wager, Admiral Sir C., ii. 245.
Wagtail, food of the, i. 446.

, yellow, i. 98, note.

, young cuckoo fed by a, ii. 248.

Walden lodge, i. 21.

Wales, a visit to, ii. 233, 234.

Wallcreeper, remarks on the, ii. 289,

293, 294, 296.
Walpole, George, ii. 245.
Warm weather in early spring, its

effects, i. 203.
Wasps, damage done by, i. 270.

— , nidification of, i. 458.
Water-rat, i. 30 and note.

— , its stores, i. 76.
Water-shrew, i. 76, note.
Water-snails, buoyancy of, ii. 125.
Wayneflete, bishop of Winchester, i.

, death of, i. 360.

— , intercedes for Peter Berne, i.
851.

Weapons, fragments of, found at Hog-
moor, ii. 386.

Weather, full account of, i. 260, 487.

Well-head, i. 3.

Wells, average depth of, at Selborne,
ii. 375.

Whaddon chapel, i, 364.

Whales in the Mediterranean, ii. 58.

Wheat, effect of heat on, i. 474.

Wheatear, i.41, 153.

1 , localities where taken, i. 159,

484, ii. 10.

Whinchat, winter food of, i. 10(1
2 E

410

INDEX.

White, Gilbert, account book of, ii.

316.
— , correspondence between the Eev.

E. Churton and, ii. 186-230.
, correspondence between Robert

Marsham and, ii. 243-303.
— , correspondence with his family,

ii. 95-185.

, garden kalendar of, ii. 347.

, letter from Eev. J. White to, ii.

64.
, letters from, to Hon. Daines

Barrington, i. 113-274.
, letters from, to T. Pennant, i.

1-112.
miscellaneous letters to, ii. 231-

241.

— , naturalist's kalendar ket>t by, i.
405.
-, sermon by, ii.

White, Miss, letters to, from Gilbert

White, ii. 137, 145-148.
White, Eev. Edmund, letter to, from

Gilbert White, ii. 150.
White, Eev. John, correspondence be-
tween Linnams and, ii. 67-94.

— , letters from Gilbert White to

the, ii. 1-64.
, letter from, to Samuel Barker, ii.

103.

White, Thomas, letter to, ii. 131.
White-throat, habits of, i. 102.
Wickliffe, doctrines of, i. 338.
Wild bee, i. 457.

— boars in Holt forest, i. 26.
Willow-wren, notes on a, ii. 237, 239.
, sagacity of a, i. 146.

— , the smallest uncrested, i. 439.

, three species of, i. 47, 58.

Winchester, bishop of, summoned to

parliament, i. 314.
Wind, storm of, ii. 141.
Windham, William, ii. 277.

Winter, swarms of insects observed in,
i. 452.

, warm weather happening in

(poem), i. 504.
Winter-martin, doubt respecting the,

ii. 5.
Wolmer forest, i. 16, 22.

— , formerly frequented by
deer, black game, &c.,i. 24.

, limits of, i. 22.

, parliamentary acts respect-
ing, i. 312.

Sir Adam Gurdon made

warden of, i. 312.

— , visited by Ed. III., i. 281.

pond, i. 24.

Woodcock carrying its young with its

beak, i. 85 and note.
Woodcocks breed in England, i. 133.

— breed in Tirol, i. 134.

— , their migration, i. 134.
Woodpeckers, damage done by, ii. 292,

297, 298.
Wood-pigeons, flocks of, i. 110.

, food of, i. 110.

Worldham, etymology of, i. 2, note.
Wren, golden-crested, migration of, i.

104.

— , shivering, ii. 12.
Wryneck, food of the, i. 44.
Wych-elm, i. 5 and note.
Wykeharn, bishop, munificence of, i.

000

OOA-
, visitation held at Selborne

priory by, i. 326, 381, ii. 136.
Wynchestre, John, elected prior, i. 334.
Wyndesor, William, elected prior, i.

345.

Yew-tree in churchyard, i. 291.
— , fatal effects on cattle from eating
leaves and twigs of the, i. 292, ii.
260.

Printed by TAYLOR and FRANCIS, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street.

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