THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 33 



brewhouse by a narrow entry running against the chalk wall; 

 and thus the whole house may be made use of without a 

 person's going abroad. The chambers over the brewhouse are 

 finished, and very neat. All these buildings will cost a great 

 sum and prevent the laying up of money ; but as more room 

 was absolutely necessary, and things are all done in the way 

 of trade, I hope they will answer in the end. 



I am glad to hear H. talk didactically about grammar 

 rules, and moods and tenses; for unless a school master is 

 somewhat of a pedant, and a little self-sufficient in his way, 

 he must expect to be soon jaded with his drudgery. 



Swifts, as I suspected, invariably lay but two eggs * ; and as 

 they breed but once, their increase is very small. I got 

 Harry's bricklayer one evening to open the tiles of his brew- 

 house, under which were several nests containing only two 

 squab young apiece ; and moreover his workmen all told me 

 that, when boys, they had invariably found only two eggs or 

 two birds. If I lived at Fyfield, I should be more learned in 

 swifts ; for as you sit in the parlour you see their proceedings 

 at the brewhouse. 



I thank you for your strictures on my printed monog. and 

 wish you would extend yours to the rest. I had used the 

 pronoun personal to my swallows; but somebody objected ; so 

 I put it in its place. But I think you are right, and shall 

 replace she and her ; though there is this objection, that in a 

 IHI'U' a male is implied as well as a female, and yet he would 

 sound awkward for a bird. 



Linn, is wrong past all doubt with respect to your Hirundo 

 hyemalis. The Melba is undoubtedly affinis to the swift, but 

 not your new swallow; it can by no means be a variety of opus. 

 The rest of Mr. Pennant's drawings are here : you shall be 

 sure to have them as soon as I can find a safe method of con- 

 veyance. I am glad your Fauna swells so fast. You must 

 publish a quarto work : every man now publishes in quarto. 

 It is not to be wondered at that you do not readily find a 

 master for Jack ; for our Bro. B. you see, is under the same 



* [This is not invariably the case, as has been shown by the late Mr. 

 Salmon ( Yarr. Brit. Birds, ii. p. 235). T. B.] 



VOL. II. D 



