XX11I.] 



OF SELBORNE. 



75 



When I used to rise in a morning last autumn, and see the 

 swallows and martins clustering on the chimneys and thatch of 

 the neighbouring cottages, I could not help being touched with 

 a secret delight, mixed with some degree of mortification : with 

 delight, to observe with how much ardour and punctuality those 

 poor little birds obeyed the strong impulse towards migration, 

 or hiding, imprinted on their minds by their great Creator ; and 

 with some degree of mortification, when I reflected that, after 

 all our pains and inquiries, we are yet not quite certain to what 

 regions they do migrate ; and are still farther embarrassed to 

 find that some do not actually migrate at all. 



These reflections made so strong an impression on my ima- 

 gination, that they became productive of a composition that may 

 perhaps amuse you for a quarter of an hour when next I have 

 the honour of writing to you. 



SELBOBNE, February 28, 1769. 



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I'HAXCEL DWinWAY, EAST WOKLDHAH CHURCH 



