274 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



The extent of the storm was about two miles in length and 

 one in breadth. We were just sitting down to dinner ; but 

 were soon diverted from our repast by the clattering of tiles 

 and the jingling of glass. There fell at the same time 

 prodigious torrents of rain on the farms above-mentioned, 

 which occasioned a flood as violent as it was sudden : doing 

 great damage to the meadows and fallows ; by deluging the 

 one and washing away the soil of the other. The hollow lane 

 towards Alton was so torn and disordered as not to be pass- 

 able till mended, rocks being removed that weighed 200 

 weight. Those that saw the effect which the great hail had 

 on ponds and pools say that the dashing of the water made an 

 extraordinary appearance, the froth and spray standing up in 

 the air three feet above the surface. The rushing and roaring 

 of the hail, as it approached, was truly tremendous. 



Though the clouds at South Lambeth, near London, were at 

 that juncture thin and light, and no storm was in sight, nor 

 within hearing, yet the air was strongly electric; for the bells 

 of an electric machine at that place rang repeatedly, and 

 fierce sparks were discharged. 



When I first took the present work in hand I proposed to 

 have added an Annus Historico-naturalis, or the Natural 

 History of the Twelve Months of the Year; which would 

 have comprised many incidents and occurrences that have not 

 fallen in my way to be mentioned in my series of letters ; 

 but, as Mr. Aikin of Warrington has lately published some- 

 what of this sort, and as the length of my correspondence has 

 sufficiently put your patience to the test, I shall here take a 

 respectful leave of you and natural history together*; 



And am, 



With all due deference and regard, 

 Your most obliged, 



And most humble servant, 



GIL. WHITE. 



Selborne, June 25, 1787. 



* [His correspondence with Mr. Marsham (published in the second 

 volume) shows that, so far from fulfilling this intention, his love of natural 

 history continued as intense and his observation as accurate as ever, 

 throughout the remainder of his life. T. B.] 



