OF SELBORNE. 



13 



is a vast district. Those who tread the bounds are employed 

 part of three days in the business, and are of opinion that tin- 

 outline, in all its curves and indentings, does not comprise less 

 than thirty miles. 



The village stands in a sheltered spot, secured by the Hanger 

 from the strong westerly winds. The air is soft, but rather moist 

 from the effluvia of so many trees ; yet perfectly healthy and free 

 from agues. 



The quantity of rain that falls on it is very considerable, as may 

 be supposed in so woody and mountainous a district. As my 

 experience in measuring the water is but of short date, I am 

 not qualified to give the mean quantity., but a very intelligent 

 gentleman assures me (and he speaks from upwards of forty 

 years' experience) that the mean rain of any place cannot be 

 ascertained till a person has measured it for a very long period. 

 I only know that 



Inch. Hund. 



From May 1, 1779, to the end of the year there fell . . 28 37 ! 

 From Jan. 1,1780, to Jan. 1, 1781 ........ 27 32 



From Jan. 1, 1781, to Jan. 1, 1782 . ....... 30 



From Jan. 1, 1782, to Jan. 1, 1783 ........ 50 



From Jan. 1, 1783, to Jan. 1, 1784 ........ 33 



From Jan. 1, 1784 to Jan. 1, 1785 ........ 38 



From Jan. 1, 1785 to Jan. 1, 1786 ........ 31 



From Jan. 1, 1786, to Jan. 1, 1787 ........ 39 



71 



26 ! 



71 



80 



SB 



57 



The village of Selborne, and the large hamlet of Oakhanger, 

 with the single farms, and many scattered houses along the 

 verge of the forest, contain upwards of six hundred and seventy 

 inhabitants. 



We abound with poor ; many of whom are sober and indus- 

 trious, and live comfortably in good stone or brick cottages, 

 which are glazed, and have chambers above stairs : mud build- 

 ings we have none. Besides the employment from husbandry, 

 the men work in hop-gardens, of which we have many ; and 

 fell and bark timber. In the spring and summer the women 

 weed the corn ; and enjoy a second harvest in September by hop- 

 picking. Formerly, in the dead months they availed themselves 

 greatly by spinning wool, for making of barragons, a genteel 

 corded stuff, much in vogue at that time for summer wear ; and 



