vi WHITE'S SELBORNE 



of Oriel and one of the senior Proctors of the University. 

 But the beauties of the country proved for him a stronger 

 magnet than the more intellectual atmosphere of the town, 

 and he soon returned to the place of his birth and his beloved 

 Hampshire hills. Here he became curate, also officiating as 

 curate of Faringdon eighteen years, his leisure time being 

 devoted to his favorite pursuit. 



It is much to be regretted that, apart from what is revealed 

 through his writings, so little is known of the man himself, 

 few anecdotes or reminiscences of his private life having sur- 

 vived him. It is known, nevertheless, that he was a person 

 of retiring manners, beloved by his parishioners and children, 

 and, despite the engrossing nature of his occupations, not 

 averse to a good table and creature comforts. That he was 

 fond of field sports during his earlier years is apparent from 

 the references to sport in several of his letters, from the dates 

 of which it is clear that he gave up this pastime when com- 

 paratively young, doubtless on account of its interference with 

 his chosen studies. 1 He has been referred to as " the Addi- 

 son of Natural History," and "a clergyman without having 

 any duties to perform." His chronicle, in truth, would seem 

 to be a case of " retired leisure," a product or outcome of 

 the most leisurely mental activity. Like the country parson 

 of " The Deserted Village " 



" A man he was to all the country dear, 

 And passing rich with forty pounds a year ; 

 Remote from towns he ran his godly race, 

 Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change, his place." 



One pictures him, in imagination, with his pale Malacca 

 walking-stick and knee-breeches, sauntering through the 

 winding path to Long Lythe, studying the cause of the 

 smoky atmosphere ; or treading the sheep-walks in quest 

 of some new butterfly, pausing perhaps to hold communion 

 with a favorite echo which returns Him his quotations from 

 Ovid, Virgil, and Lucretius. Or, mayhap, aglow with ex- 

 citement, he is contemplating the stately march of that 

 rara avis, the hoopoe, feeding near his garden ; or, with ear 



i Letters XVI., XLIL, XLVI. 



