INTRODUCTION. xi 



scenery, he early fixed his residence in his natiie village, where 

 he spent the greater part of his life in literary occupations, and 

 especially 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 living, 

 he could never persuade himself to quit the beloved spot, which 

 was indeed a peculiarly happy situation for an observer. He was 

 much esteemed by a select society of intelligent and worthy friends, 

 to whom he paid occasional visits. Thus his days passed tranquil 

 and serene, with scarcely any other vicissitudes than those of the 

 seasons, till they closed at a mature age on June 26th, 1793." 



White was the eldest of the eleven children which followed the 

 union of John White and Anne his wife. Eight of them grew up; 

 but the only one which calls for mention now was Benjamin, who 

 became a publisher, his specialite being works on Natural History, 

 and he it was who published his brother's book. 



Gilbert White was ordained a deacon when he was twenty-seven^ 

 and priest when he was twenty-nine, years old. In 1755, he being 

 thirty-five years old, he took up his residence with his father at Sel- 

 borne; and on his father's death in 1758, he became the occupier 

 of the house, and shortly afterwards the owner, and there he lived 

 until his death. He had a curacy at Faringdon, an adjoining parish, 

 until 1784, when he became curate of Selborne. He several times 

 refused livings which were offered to him, though he accepted one 

 which required neither residence, service, nor attention on his 

 part, the duties being performed by others. White had a suffi- 

 ciency of income to enable him to live a quiet and comfortable 

 life in the old house at Selborne. He was never married ; but 

 this was from no lack of good qualities on his part, for he was 

 an affectionate and kind brother, uncle, and neighbour. He is 

 described as being a pleasant little man, brisk in manner and 



