AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 227 



LETTER XXIV. 



FROM MR. CHURTON TO GILBERT WHITE. 



Brasen-Nose, Jan. 23, 1793. 



SUCCESS to matrimony ! and Caprimulgus. My friend and 

 tutor Dr. Radcliffe is married. Mr. John White is married : 

 and- 1 cordially congratulate Mrs. J. White on the occasion, 

 as well as yourself on having another agreeable addition to 

 the small number you before had of nephews and nieces. 

 My friend Mr. Banner, I think I perceive, will certainly take 

 Dudcote, if no better living falls during his option. Powerful 

 are female attractions and engagements ! However, the living 

 is more desirable than he expected. I wished to write sooner 

 but could not ; and now have scarcely a moment to spare ; 

 and tomorrow I must go about my buildings and enclosures 

 at Middleton. Dr. Loveday's family were well recovered 

 from the measles. The Provost of Oriel and Mrs. Everleigh 

 and daughter were very well when I drank tea there on 

 Sunday. Mrs. Cox is very well. Mr. Cox when I called was 

 in bed with a cold and gout, but not an unkindly fit. Mr. 

 Yentris somewhat better, but not perfectly well. You perhaps 

 have heard of me in London from Fleet Street. I slipt into 

 the pit to see his Majesty &c. in the Theatre, where I never 

 had seen them before. We were all loyalty. " God save the 

 King " twice after the play and twice after the entertainment. 

 " Rule Britannia " twice. The Queen sang, the King beat 

 time, c. 



The alien bill gives great content in London. There was 

 lately a report that poor Mr. Page was dying, and a canvass 

 out of the university began for the Speaker and Sir W. Scott, 

 Dr. Wenman having declined. Should there be a vacancy I 

 hope you will think of one who, besides having been my 

 brother pupil and class fellow potent recommendations is 

 universally esteemed as the best Speaker the H. of Commons 

 ever had. 



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