140 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE i763 



pleasure by their singing and being dressed as shepherds and 

 shepherdesses. It was a most elegant evening ; and all 

 parties appeared highly satisfyed. The Hermit appeared to 

 great advantage. 



" Aug. 3. Cut a fine-looking cantaleupe and sent it by the 

 Ladies (who left Selborne this day) to D"* Battle." 



On October 3rd, 1763, Mulso writes again, re- 

 ferring to the question of the living : — 



" I read to the Bishop your letter, wherein you relate your 

 proceeding with your Patron. . . . You need not doubt that I 

 urged my own opinion of you to him, as far as was decent : 

 and though not one word was said in return, I hope it 

 will operate in Time. I heartily wish it may ; that my 

 friendship may not have been quite unfruitful to you in 

 point of interest. . . . Your affection, which has always 

 shown itself in every possible instance, demands a constant 

 desire in me to please and serve you. It has been one 

 of the blessings for which I am ever thankful to Divine 

 Providence, and it has greatly helped to enliven and sweeten 

 the painful passage of human life. 



" That I might give you some account of my last interview 

 with the Bishop of Winchester was the principal reason of 

 deferring answering your last, for otherwise I should have 

 been quicker to quiet your apprehensions of our ever 

 suspecting that you had not done all possible to make us 

 a visit in the north. . . . 



" I am glad so many of my relations have seen Selbourne : 

 they all express the highest pleasure in their visit. As 

 to the consequences to the young gentlemen, it will be 

 no great matter, especially as it purges off in Poetry : when 

 Passion is fanciful it is not dangerous. Ned requires these 

 Brushings, being apt to have torpid and viscous blood, if a 

 love fit now and then did not quicken his pulses. It would 

 not do you so much good, unless it was once to the Purpose ; 



