30 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER 



scriber. I believe such employ now and then is not bad for a 

 young man, since it teaches him the use and power of 

 stopping; a thing much neglected. Jack has read all the 

 Georgics through. I wish I could read Reaumur and De 

 Geer. 



The spring is forward, and we have had some lovely weather; 

 but winter is returned to day. I want to know what Linn, 

 will say to the supposed Junco and the Turdus. 



My wall trees promise much fruit. We join in respects to 

 my sister. Pray write soon. 



Your affect, brother, 



GIL. WHITE. 



LETTER XIV. 



Selborne, June 18, 1774. 



DEAR BROTHER, 



IT pleases me to find that my little monography entertained 

 you ; it makes its own excuse for being short. The next will 

 not offend in that way. Pray make all the objections freely 

 that occur. 



Linnaeus's letter is polite and entertaining and instructive. 

 But pray what does he mean by saying that your Hirundo 



hyemalis (for so I shall still call it) is varietas apus ? for 



the apus and melba only perhaps have omnibus quatuor digitis 

 anticis, while your swallow has a back toe like other birds ; 

 besides the bill of your apus and melba are much bent; but 

 that of the hirundo hyemalis is straight. 



I have just received a letter from Mr. Pennant, wherein he 

 says that he has lately sent twenty-nine more drawings to 

 Mr. Ben., being the whole that were copied from your i Gib.' 

 They are to be kept as long as wanted. 



Humbledon is a place that I have a strong dislike to, on 

 account of its morals and dissipation, besides Mr. Hale has a 

 young partner, should he want to leave business by and by*. 



* [This remark has reference to the intended apprenticeship of ' Jack/ 

 which at this time was a subject of much anxiety both to his father and 

 uncle. T. B.] 



