58 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER 



may be thought too long. The whale fishery is a fine new 

 circumstance, and worthy of a national attention, especially 

 as we may soon possibly have nothing to do with the N. 

 American seas. But in such narrow limits, and so warm a cli- 

 mate, how can such an offensive occupation be carryed on 

 without proving a vast nuisance to the garrison ? Train-oil and 

 whales' flesh must smell very vigorously in lat. 36. How wise 

 have all the naturalists proved themselves to be by laying it 

 down for granted that there were no whales in the Mediterra- 

 nean*. 



Last night my bro. received a letter from the attorney near 

 Manchester, who wishes to be curate of Darwenf. He is 

 urgent for matters to be brought to a bargain. Sure the in- 

 junctions and provisions against simony have never reached 

 your part of the world. If disappointed, he will not, I hope, 

 stir up a clamour against the southern non-resident. 



D is with me ; he is good natured, but somewhat heady 

 at times. It is well he is intended for trade, since he loves 

 anything better than book : bodily labour he does not spare ; 

 for rolling, wheeling, water-drawing, grass-walk sweeping 

 are his delight. I have taught him to ride ; and perhaps a 

 good seat on an horse may be more useful to him than Virgil 

 or Horace. I tryed Pha3drus, but my patience fail'd. How- 

 ever, he may procure health and strength and a little behaviour 

 at my house. We all join in respects. 



Yrs. affect. 



GIL. WHITE. 



My brother's outlet is still pleasing. 



* [The occurrence of Whales in the Mediterranean can only have 

 been fortuitous, and could not have led to the establishment of a regular 

 trade as here alluded to. T. B.] 



t [Darwen, a township in the parish of Blackburn, of which parish 

 John White was incumbent, and in whose hands the appointment rested. 

 T. B.J 



