126 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY. 



Nymplicea alba, the white water-lily, there are none in this 

 parish, but are to be found in Wishanger pond in the parish 

 of Frinsham : if I knew when the seeds were ripe I would 

 endeavour to procure some. 



Dr. Forster assured me that he saw, some few times, 

 appearances in the sky in the S. hemisphere, very similar to 

 those we call aurorce boreales. 



Our first young brood of swallows was marvellously early, 

 appearing on June 15 : the first week in July is the usual 

 time. I have written to Grimm, and don't know but that I 

 may see him next Monday : I expect also my nep. Rich. 

 White, who is to stay with me some time. Nanny Woods is 

 to dine with me to-day : she is tender and has got a cough. 



We have built a new Hermitage, a plain cot; but it has 

 none of the fancy and rude ornament that recommended the 

 former to people of taste : this is strong and substantial, and 

 will stand a long while, fire excepted. 



Our solstice is cool and shady, but not very wet : I have 

 ricked my St. foin in fine order ; this day I begin to cut my 

 meadow grass, which will prove a bigger crop by one 3 rd than 

 that of last year. Cucumbers do not succeed well in general 

 this year. My bank, which was lowered Avhen you w^ere here, 

 is now very gaudy and full of flowers. I have much wall- 

 fruit, and a fine show for grapes ; pears, plums, apples and 

 cherries without number. As I was visiting last Tuesday at 

 Bramshot I saw on the Portsmouth road Burgoyne's light 

 horse marching down to embark for N. America. The horses 

 were fine and the men fine young fellows ; but they all look'd 

 very grave, and did not seem much to admire their destina- 

 tion. The Atlantic is no small frith for cavalry to be trans- 

 ported over : the expence will be enormous ! Brother and 

 sister Harry have been in town and at Mrs. Snookes's. At 

 Ringmer Ben. Woods caught the measles of John Mott, and 

 fell with it before he left town ; but his father sent him down 

 to Fyfield after it came out ! None of Bro. Harr.'s children 

 nor Bro. Thos's has had this distemper; so there will be a sick 

 house and much trouble ; but the children can never fall at a 

 better season of the year or time of life. Now, at Mids 1 ' 



