AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 217 



Chandler, still at Rolle, but talking of moving, but yet, if 

 possible, more unsettled in his plans than ever. You mention 

 jack-daws building in rabbit-burrows. It is not equally extra- 

 ordinary, but perhaps you may not know that they build in 

 Elden hole, a perpendicular aperture in a rock, about 90 yards 

 deep, in Derbyshire. I did not take any of their nests, nor, 

 indeed, did I see any; but I heard them chattering most 

 loquaciously, and perhaps "disturbed their ancient solitary 

 reign," by throwing stones into their little kingdom, when 1 

 was in Derbyshire about 5 years ago. I go to town on 

 Saturday and return the Monday se'nnight. I shall probably 

 hear of you in Fleet Street, and in a short time, I hope 

 (though I am unreasonable to expect it), be favoured with a 

 letter. You will be so good as to remember me with my best 

 wishes and respects to Mr. T. White, who, I understand, is 

 now with you, as also to Mr. Edm. White &c. 



I am, dear Sir, 

 Your sincere and much obliged humble servant, 



R. CHURTON. 



Dr. Bostock has gained a Chancery suit and another son. 

 Remember me to Miss Reeve when she calls next. 



LETTER XIX. 



FROM GILBERT WHITE TO MR. CHURTON. 



Seleburne, Dec. 4, 1789. 



DEAR SIR, 



THO' Oxford appears to my timid apprehensions to recede 

 every year farther and farther from Selborne ; yet to you, 

 who are in the prime and vigour of life, Selborne ought not 

 to be one inch more removed from Oxford than when I first 

 knew you : therefore we shall depend much on seeing you at 

 Xtmass as usual. I have much to say to you : for surely we 

 live in a most eventful and portentous period ; when wars, 

 devastations, revolutions, and insurrections crowd so fast upon 



