300 LETTEBS TO GILBERT WHITE 



to ye lower Grounds. In the Temple, by shewing the Turn of 

 ye Hangers, & by Multiplying the Grounds before You, he des- 

 cribes ye advanc'd Ground that You are upon. Colouring would 

 express it compleatly, but the Ingraving is of too uniform a Shade 

 to do it Justice. 



I was exceedingly obliged, my dear old Friend, by your Visit 

 to me : especially considering that I have seemingly been negli- 

 gent with regard to visiting Selborne : but it is only seemingly : 

 for I have either been unable, or at least thought Myself unable, 

 (which is very bad & serious Work) to manage a Journey to You. 



I was very ill on Simday last, taken at Dinner both in my 

 Head & Bowells : I am got much better in my Head, (the most 

 alarming Quarter) & better in my Bowells, tho' I dare not yet 

 return to my Tankard. 



We have lost Mrs Lilly this week ; a good woman, a chearfull 

 old maid, & a kind neighbour, & I fear that her Brother will go 

 away in Consequence of this Loss. I begin to have the tender 

 Feelings that are expressed in the deserted Village. I fear I 

 shall come rather wth Reluctance than Pleasure to this pleasant 

 Summer Residence. However, He that takes away, can give. 



My poor Hester had yesterday two large Teeth drawn. You 

 will applaud her Courage : She has sufifer'd a great deal since ; 

 but her Ease begins to come on, & That will repay her All. 



Jack had a Summon to St. Marie's, while he was wth You. 

 I fear that we must let him go for Part of next week, tho' there 

 is a great deal of Company there k I think he might be spared 

 'till there is less. 



We all here join in Love, best wishes, Thanks & all Civilities 

 to You & Your's. 



I am. Dear Gil, Ever very afftely Your's, 



J. Mulso. 



LetUr 195. 



Reverend Mr. White, Winchester. 



at Thos. White's Esqrs Feb: 17, 1782. 



South Lambeth, near London. 

 Dear Gil : 



I had the Pleasure of a Letter from You dated Jan: 22, 

 which I should have surely answer'd before now, but that I have 

 been involved in two Circumstances, both distastefull ; but the 

 latter, greivous. The first was a Fit of the Gout, which had 

 grumbled & made me limp for some time & pass'd for rheumatic, 

 but on Jany 26th came into ye full Possession of my foot, wth 

 all it's Apparatus of Flannell, great shoes, Crutch-Stick &ca &ca. 

 My Foot is still so tender that I have not dared to go out, & can 



