XII PREFACE. 



schools, what and how to observe. Especially in the country 

 should they be encouraged to make collections of common 

 objects, animal, vegetable, and mineral. They should also 

 be taught to recognise indigenous British birds and beasts, 

 and to send in notes as to what they have observed of their 

 habits. Such studies tend to sharpen the natural faculties, 

 while they humanize the intellect. 



The publishers desire in this place to acknowledge the kind- 

 ness of Lord Selborne in adding some valuable Notes to the 

 chapter on the Antiquities of Selborne, and allowing to be 

 made for its illustration drawings of some curiosities found on 

 his estate. 



To Mr. John Webster, Edgehill, Culter, Aberdeen, they are 

 indebted, for his courtesy in placing at their disposal a few 

 original letters of Gilbert White never before published, and now 

 printed in the following pages. 



It has only to be added, that the whole of the Engravings have 

 been planned and executed under the able superintendence of 

 the artist, Mr. Philip H. Delamotte. 



FRANK BUCKLAND. 



37, ALBANY STREET, REGENT'S PARK, 

 December 17, 1875. 



