xvi WHITE'S SELBORNE 



of the gal lines ; of hills attracting clouds, or the association 

 of sounds ; of Mahommedans dusting themselves, or of long- 

 billed birds fattening during moderate frosts, his text is always 

 instructive and entertaining. 



It was rightly judged by the discerning Selborne curate 

 that it is the repeated melting and freezing of the snow, 

 rather than the severity of the cold, that is fatal to vegeta- 

 tion, especially in the case of tender evergreens. On this 

 subject his remarks may be read with advantage to-day by 

 all who are interested in the planting of trees and shrubs. 1 

 It may be added, however, that many species which are gener- 

 ally considered tender, or not hardy, may be acclimated by 

 proper protection during winter for a few seasons, until they 

 have become firmly established, and gradually inured to a 

 change of climate. 



The shifting vane of the weather was ever attentively 

 regarded by White, the last letters of his picturesque mono- 

 graph, which are devoted to the meteorology and climatic 

 phenomena of the district, revealing him as an accomplished 

 Blasius in deciphering the handwriting of the sky and the 

 wayward moods of clouds and air-currents. It is to be re- 

 gretted that he did not carry out his intention of adding an 

 Annus Historico-naturalis, or "The Natural History of the 

 Twelve Months of the Year," which was to have comprised 

 many incidents and occurrences not included in his chronicle. 



Thus, ever attentive to the doings of the natural world, and 

 satisfied with his lot and surroundings, Gilbert White fully 

 exemplified Sir Henry Wotton's definition of a happy life. 

 To say that he found Contentment in its entirety and knew 

 naught of vexation, however, were misleading. The sun may 

 not always shine, and by whom shall the asperity of the east 

 wind be stayed ? And who among mankind has ever yet dis- 

 covered the siren that the poets and philosophers since time 

 immemorial have sought to woo ? Even his gold was not 

 entirely without alloy ; and he, too, in a minor way, had his 

 trials and tribulations. The smoke from the heath-fires of 

 Wolmer annoyed him ; aphides, wasps, and honey-dews marred 

 the attractions of his garden ; and frosts at times cut down his 



1 Letter CV. 



