226 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE 



phrases of invitation : but all those terms of words are ex- 

 hausted, and I have now nothing left but the plain, honest 

 assertion of wishing to see you, as often and as long as you 

 can make it agreeable and convenient to yourself. 



I return you my best thanks for your quotation from 

 Aristotle, of which I hope to avail myself soon ; and for a 

 correct copy of the inscription on the tomb of the great Mr. 

 Ray. It is pleasant to hear that friends to Genius are still to 

 be found, who, at periods, are ready to repair and beautify the 

 monument of departed worth, nor suffering it to be effaced 

 with weeds and filth. However his ivorks will be, as the 

 inscription says, the most lasting monument of his fame. 

 Every time you come, I have been provided with a new book 

 for your inspection. In some respects you will think Mr. 

 Arthur Young's Journey in France reprehensible ; and will 

 not always subscribe to his politics. However the writer is a 

 man of observation, and has a curious chapter on Climate. 

 In three summers he threaded every corner of that vast king- 

 dom, and made an excursion thro' the Pyrenees to Barcelona, 

 and another over the Alps and Apennine to Turin, Venice, 

 Florence, &c. Mr. Y., I fear, is no friend to us parsons. 

 Mr. Marsham has just sent me a long letter; but he complains 

 of infirmities. Mrs. J. Wh. joins in good wishes; and desires 

 respects to the provost, when you see him ; and to the Cox 

 family, Dr. JSTowell, &c. &c. With all due regard I remain, 



Yours affectionately, 



GIL. WHITE. 



Take care of your health, and don't study too hard. When 

 the shell of yr House is compleat, insure it. A friend of 

 mine at Salisbury has just had a house, not quite finished, 

 burnt to the ground. It was to have cost 4000 ! 



