1752 SELBOKNE CUEACY— PROCTOR 67 



absent from ill-health ; and resided at the vicarage, 

 where he occasionally entertained friends. 

 On January 29th, 1752, Mulso writes : — 



"I hear you are snug at the vicarage, where it is to be 

 presumed that you are preparing something for the world. 

 Sermons or satire must come from him who has left the 

 world. ... I long to hear some of your sermons in Sunbury 

 Church, and am glad you are in strong exercise, because 

 strengthening of the chest is I believe strengthening of the 

 lungs. . . . You are happy in both the turn and power to 

 labour, to journey, to harden : and if one was to address you 

 one should begin like an epitaph ' siste viator ' ! " 



In February, 1752, a short visit was made to 

 Oxford, no doubt on the business of the office of 

 Proctor to the University, which had come to Oriel 

 for this turn, and was at Gilbert White's option. 

 Though by no means without precedent, it was 

 perhaps a little unusual for a non-resident to serve 

 this office. However, his claim was recognised. He 

 resigned his Selborne curacy in March, and on April 

 8th, 1752, became Junior Proctor. 



Mulso, who had previously urged acceptance of 

 the office, writes on March 28th, 1752 : — 



" I think you have paid the University a great Compli- 

 ment in accepting of the Sleeves, for as I take your genius, 

 you are rather Atticus than TuUy. ' Otium cum Dignitate * 

 is your motto and turn. And the green Retreats (for they 

 begin now|to be the green Retreats) of Selbourne afford more 

 serious pleasure to your contemplative mind, than the 

 ' frequentis plausus] theatri ' can to your Ambition. I have 



