THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 15 



Some boys went to hunt flappers (young wild ducks) last 

 month in the forest: among the ducks they caught SOUK 5 

 minute wild fowls alive. I examined them, and found them 

 to be young teals, but never had supposed that teals ever 

 bred in our parts till now. I redeemed one and turned it 

 into J. Knight's ponds. 



Thomas Corston has brought Berriman a certificate of his 

 marriage with Mary Gregory in the church of St. George's, 

 Hanover Square, February 1771. The extract was taken 

 April 24, 1773. It is on a 5s. stamp and looks as if it were 

 genuine. Corston has called since. 



This evening I expect from Fyfield brother Thomas and 

 master Brocket, and brother Henry and Tho. Holt White : 

 the two former are on their way to London. When did you 

 get into your house ? Jack joins in respects. 



Your affec. brother, 



GIL. WHITE. 



Brother Harry was told in Oxford that Linnaeus was cer- 

 tainly dead*. 



Harvest does not begin 'til next week. 



LETTER VI. 



Selborne, Sept. 11, 1773. 

 DEAR BROTHER, 



YOUR last letter but one, and my last letter, crossed, I believe, 

 on the road. I am now to thank you for your frank of 

 August 25. 



As to Jack he is no trouble or inconvenience to me, but of 

 real use; and therefore I desire he may stay as long as ever 

 you can spare him. Moreover I wish you and my sister, 



* [This was a false report. Linnaeus died January 8, 1778, aged 71. 

 Five out of the six letters from John White to Linnaeus were written 

 nflor the return of the former to England. The last is dated October, 

 1774 T.B.] 



