92 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBOENE 1757 



my Lady had I believe expectations of getting something. 

 Sir Philip spoke of Frewen's proceedings as not very hand- 

 some upon the occasion, and as putting them to the 

 necessity of applying out of the College, when they would 

 have had it determined there. How that may be I do not 

 know; but as you have not been the man on this Preferment, 

 I am not sorry for the success of Chardin; unless it may 

 prove any obstruction to your designs for your brother 

 Harry, which I greatly hope it will not. If Chardin 

 behaves in his post with the good sense and judgment 

 that Sir Philip talked of it, the College will have no reason 

 to repent their choice. I have still a good deal to say to 

 you on this subject, but intend to say it and not to write it." 



After referring to the late Provost's legacy to the 

 College, he continues — 



" I am sorry you mention no remembrances to you or 

 your Family, but your brother Harry has the greatest loss 

 in this Friend." 



How far his non-success was a disappointment 

 to Gilbert White can now only be a matter of con- 

 jecture. His friend, however, regretted it, and wrote 

 again a little later, on March 19th, 1757 : — 



" With regard to the affair of Oriel, I heartily wish you 

 had put yourself up from the beginning, if anything we could 

 have done would have given you success. But yet I think 

 you judge of the issue of Chardin's election otherwise than 

 you will find it turn out : at least I hope so. But I believe 

 this subject will do better to talk upon than to write upon ; 

 for tho' we agree in opinion pretty well, a little error of the 

 Pen may make a Discordancy, and I find that with you 

 Oriel men goes farther than I think, in justice, it should. 

 As to your Brother, nothing in my talk with Sir Philip had 



