AND THE REV. R. CHURTON. 229 



with the R.S. ; for on my applying to Mr. Barrington, who 

 used to present my papers, he writes me word that he has no 

 longer any interest with that society, but that he will endea- 

 vour to find a member that shall present my dissertation. 

 This circumstance, as you may imagine, is not so pleasant as 

 when I had a friend who was often one of the Council, and 

 ready to abet my compositions. 



There is, indeed, a curious coincidence of opinions between 

 Mr. Lewis and the Stagyrite ! for which I cannot advance a 

 better reason than what you have mentioned yourself. Yet 

 can I not call that a foolish bird which knows the times- and 

 the seasons, and conducts its migrations over seas and conti- 

 nents with such accuracy and success, and, impelled by all 

 the feelings of crropyr] and affection, is ready to repell intru- 

 ders, and by menaces to defend to the best of its power its 

 callow and helpless young ! 



I have told you sometimes of an old physician at SouthtSn, 

 Dr. Speed, who used to go over once every year, in May, to 

 the Isle of Wight, for which period the people used to reserve 

 their ails. For these last two winters my coughs have been 

 kept till y r arrival, and then became so bad that without your 

 kind assistance I could not have continued my duty. When 

 you left me I had some dread about the ensuing Sunday ; but, 

 thanks be to God, my infirmity ceased on the Saturday, and 

 has not been bad since. As soon as y r letter came we turned 

 to my peerage book, but could find no traces respecting Lord 

 Malmsbury; so I conclude that his creation was subsequent*. 

 'Possibly before now you may have recovered y r stray idea, 

 that has wandered away, or lay snug in some corner of y r 

 memory. 



Mrs. J. Wh. joins in best respects and wishes to you and 

 all friends. 



Yours sincerely, 



GIL. WHITE. 



Sad work in France ! ! 



* [" The Earl's ancestor, James Harris, Esq., ol the Close, in Salisbury, 

 married Gertrude, d r of Robert Townson, Bishop of Salisbury, and died 

 1679, aged 74."Debrett. The creation dates only from 1788. T. B.] 



