xil INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 
The sketch which his brother John appended to the octavo 
edition of his works in 1802 is, as we have stated, the only 
memorial of his life, and, as it 1s authentic and very short, it 
is best to print it as it was originally published. The same 
modest and retired habits never tempted him, so far as is 
known, to sit for any likeness, and no portrait or profile 
remains to recall the features of one whose writings have been 
so much and so widely read.* 
“Gilbert White was the eldest son of John White of 
Selborne, Esq., and of Anne, the daughter of Thomas Holt, 
rector of Streatham in Surrey. He was born at Selborne on 
July 18th, 1720; and received his school education at Basing- 
stoke, under the Rev. Thomas Warton, vicar of that place, and 
father of those two distinguished literary characters, Dr. Joseph 
Warton, master of Winchester school, and Mr. Thomas 
Warton, poetry-professor at Oxford. He was admitted at 
Oriel College, Oxford, in December, 1739, and took his degree 
of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1743. In March, 1744, he was 
elected fellow of his college. He -tecame Master of Arts in 
October, 1746, and was admitted as one of the senior proctors 
of the University in April, 1752. Being of an unambitious 
temper, and strongly attached to the charms of rural scenery, 
he early fixed his residence in his native village, where he spent 
the greater part of his life in literary occupations, and especi- 
ally in the study of nature. This he followed with a patient 
assiduity, and a mind ever open to the lessons of piety and 
benevolence, which such a study is so well calculated to afford. 
Though several occasions offered of settling upon a college 
* “Oriel College, of which Gilbert White was for more than fifty years a fellow, some 
years since offered to have a portrait painted of him for their hall. An inquiry was then 
nade of all the members of his family, but no portrait of any description could be found. 
{ have heard my father say that Gilbert White was much pressed by his brother Thomas 
(my grandfather) to have his portrait painted, and that he talked of it; but it was never 
done.”—A. Ho_t WuHiTE.—WNotes and Queries, September, No. 204, page 304. 
