114 GILBEKT WHITE OF SELBORNE 1759 



In the autumn of this year (1759) Harry White 

 was presented by the Lord Chancellor to the living 

 of Tidworth, near Marlborough, Wilts; and on 

 December 6th, 1759, John Mulso was able to apprise 

 his friend of his imminent removal to the valuable 

 incumbency of Thornhill, near Wakefield. After 

 referring to the drawback of distance from friends, 

 etc., he proceeds — 



" But you my dear Gil, who are an economist will give an 

 immediate loose to joy for me on this occasion; and will 

 you never see Yorkshire when you have so true a friend 

 there? I will send you my best Hunter (for I shall be 

 a jolly Dog;) or take any other method of conveying to 

 me a Friend the thoughts of whom seem to aggravate the 

 distance." 



On December 21st, 1759, he inquires of his 

 friend — 



" You are an Inquisitive man, and fall into the company 

 of many people ; let me know therefore which is my road to 

 this same Thornhill? . . . We have great faith in your 

 Topography, as if in fact you had been everywhere. ... I 

 did not think that you would have increased my damp at 

 the thought of going so far, by supposing that we should be 

 more separated than ever. What are a few miles more to 

 you on a cheap Eoad ? Lyndon must be half way or more, 

 and a horse can go anywhere. It is impossible, but that your 

 very curiosity must bring you to see us. What ! the brave 

 Mercians, and the Castella Brigantum left unseen by a man 

 who will send miles for a huge stone or a knarly root of a 

 tree ? Nothing but death or marriage will make me believe 

 it. . . ." 



