1761 IMPEO YEMENIS AT SELBOENE 119 



other feelings in Gilbert White than those of friendly 

 interest ; but whatever his feelings may have been, 

 his interest in his garden did not abate. 



The following entry in the Garden Kalendar 

 refers to an improvement which remains to the 

 present time : — 



"Jan. 24 [1761]. Long the mason finished the dry wall of 

 the Ha-ha in the new garden which is built of blue rags, so 

 massy that it is supposed to contain double the quantity of 

 stone usual in such walls. Several stones reach into the 

 bank 20 inches. The wall was intended to be 4 ft. and an 

 half high. But the labourers in sinking the ditch on in- 

 clining ground mistook the level, especially about the angle, 

 so that at that part to bring it to a level it is 5 ft. 8 inch 

 high, and 4 ft. 6 inch at the ends, an excellent fence against 

 the mead, and so well fastened into the clay bank that it 

 looks likely to last a long while." 



"Feb. 5. Levelled the Terrass and new walks so far that 

 they will want but very small amendments before they are 

 turfed." 



An entry taken from his account-book at this time 



refutes the supposition that Gilbert White was living 



as a rich man at Selborne. 



£ s. d. 

 "Eeb. 18 [1761] Paid sisters's housekeeping 



from July 2 to Feb. 19 . . . 20 02 04 



[At this time he paid for a year's rent of his 



house and orchard] . . . . 05 07 00." 



A little later a further piece of ground was bought. 

 Mulso, referring to this on April 20th, 1761, con- 

 gratulates his friend on " having got the angulus iste. 



I 



