INTRODUCTION Xlll. 



letters of this period are now extant/ and the only reference to 

 that event which I can find is contained in a letter to his niece, 

 Mary Barker, of February 1792, in which he writes " The death 

 " of my good friend Mr. Mulso is a sad loss to his children : 

 " where his daughters are to live we have not heard." 



It may perhaps be thought that the series of letters might 

 have been improved by some omissions and excisions ; but this 

 course, after consideration, has not been adopted, since they are 

 published more especially for natural history experts and admirers 

 of the philosopher of Selborne. These, it is believed, would 

 decidedly prefer to have the whole material before them, rather 

 than any sort of selection. The letters are therefore printed in 

 their entirety. They will be found to bear eloquent witness, as 

 it were from the grave, to the career and abilities of the man 

 whom their author so loved and admired ; and I think we may 

 apply to John Mulso the verses Charles Cotton addressed to 

 Izaac Walton as a biographer — 



But yours is friendship of so pure a kind, 

 For all mean ends and interest so refined, 

 It ought to be a pattern to mankind : 



For whereas most men's friendships here beneath, 

 Do perish with their friend's expiring breath, 

 Tours proves a friendship living after death. 



Florbat Okiel. 

 Bexley, December, 1906. 



