LXIV.] OF SELBORNE. 187 



Frequent returns of deafness incommode me sadly, and half 

 disqualify me as a naturalist ; for, when those fits are upon me, 

 I lose all the pleasing notices and little intimations arising from 

 rural sounds ; and May is to me as silent and mute with respect 

 to the notes of birds, &c., as August. My eyesight is, thank 

 God, quick and good ; but with respect to the other sense, I am, 

 at times, disabled : 



"And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out." 

 SELBORNE, Sept. 13, 1774. 



LETTER LXIV. 



TO THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. 



SOME future faunist, a man of fortune, will, I hope, extend his 

 visits to the kingdom of Ireland ; a new field, and a country 

 little known to the naturalist. He will not, it is to be wished, 

 undertake that tour unaccompanied by a botanist, because the 

 mountains have scarcely been sufficiently examined; and the 

 southerly counties of so mild an island may possibly afford some 

 plants little to be expected within the British dominions. A 

 person of a thinking turn of mind will draw many just remarks 

 from the modern improvements of that country, both in arts 

 and agriculture, where premiums obtained, long before they were 

 heard of with us. The manners of the wild natives, their super- 

 stitions, their prejudices, their sordid way of life, will extort 

 from him many useful reflections. He should also take with 

 him an able draughtsman ; for he must by no means pass over 

 the noble castles and seats, the extensive and picturesque lakes 

 and waterfalls, and the lofty stupendous mountains, so little 

 known, and so engaging to the imagination when described 

 and exhibited in a lively manner : such a work would be well 

 received. 



