82 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOKNE 175 



which is in a very low consideration for the sake of a parce 

 of Fools, who are a disgrace to it in every view, and are 

 the most contracted hearts of any set of men that I know 

 I am very glad that Dr. Bentham* is to have so long j 

 grace, but do not see how it naturally comes to pass, and i 

 by an interest it is a good sign I hope that he is stronger ii 

 it than I once thought. . . . How did Whiting salve to hi! 

 conscience the holding his fellowship six years in wedlock' 

 Was this one of his indefeasable rights?" 



These remarks are of importance as showing the 

 lax manner in which, at this time, the college statutes 

 respecting the avoidance of fellowships were carried 

 out. It will be seen that a question of this kind was 

 thought to have arisen a few years afterwards in the 

 case of Gilbert White, when the Provost of the time 

 (Dr. Musgrave) acted in a very different spirit. 



On December 24th, 1754, Mulso writes again: — 



"I indulged myself lately at Mr. Hubert's, who winters 

 with us, in talking of you, and I had no occasion to exert my 

 rhetoric to gain you favour. You was spoken of in a very 

 handsome manner by Mr. Hubert's family, and Phil desired 

 to sum up the character by saying, in short, he is the Gentle- 

 man. I don't know whether you, who was always averse to 

 a distinction of Place's being made a distinction of Merit, will 

 be satisfied with this corollary ; but I can assure you it was, 

 in the sense of him who used it, as perfect and compleat a 

 one as any of Euclid's. ... I think I have wished you joy 

 of your brother Hal's success. You have established your 

 character I presume of a Plotter. I am glad to hear of 

 Dr. Bentham's long grace." 



• Fellow and tutor of Oriel College, who had recently accepted a living 

 and married. 



