1769 MULSO ON NATUKE 167 



for it flies with both open to take its prey.' Now as the first 

 line appears to me to be a false fact; the supposition of 

 course also falls to the ground, if it should prove so." 



The passage in question was omitted in subsequent 

 editions. 



Writing to his friend, who was visiting his brother 

 at Fyfield, on January 28th, 1769, Mulso says : — 



"I am glad to hear that Harry enjoys the blessing of 

 increasing and multiplying: for tho' it makes a house 

 strait, it makes it chearful. This you know tho' still a 

 Batchelour; for no man is more free to fill his house, than 

 yourself. ... I am not at all surprized at the pleasure 

 you take in your pursuits of natural knowledge. I know 

 nothing more capable of satisfying the curiosity of the human 

 mind which is always searching after novelty, for the subject 

 is inexhaustible. ... I shall endeavour to remember to say 

 Laurustinus hereafter, and you may farther inform me how 

 I may with propriety use it in the plural number." 



The original letter to Mr. Pennant, which was 

 written at this time, February 28th, 1769, and 

 became Letter XXIII. of *The Natural History of 

 Selborne,' commenced with these paragraphs : — 



"Dear Sir, — Some avocation or business of one kind or 

 another has still prevented my paying that attention to 

 your kind letter of Jan. 22 : which it deserved. As at 

 the close of that letter you invite me in a most obliging 

 manner to come and spend some time in Flintshire; that 

 paragraph seems to challenge my first attention. You will 

 not, I hope, suspect me of flattery when I assure you that 

 there is no man in the kingdom whom I should visit with 

 more satisfaction. For as our studies turn the same way, 

 and we have been so well acquainted by a long and com- 

 municative correspondence, I trust we should relish each 



