222 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE 1773 



suffer me to be away so long as one might rationally expect 

 benefit from * 



I am not surprized at what you mention concerning 

 Mr. P[ennant], it is not improbable but that you may see 

 your birds and fishes of which he has drawings, in some 

 future publications of his. Pray remember me to my sister 

 and believe me to be 



Yours very affectionately 



Tho. White. 



To the Rev. John White. 



Sep. 11, 1773. 



Dear Brother, — Your last letter but one and my last 

 crossed, I believe, on the Eoad. I am now to thank you 

 for your frank of Aug. 25. 



As to Jack he is no trouble or inconvenience to me ; but 

 of real use : and therefore I desire he may stay as long as 

 ever you can spare him. Moreover I wish you and my 

 sister, while your house drys, would come and spend one 

 more winter with me. You might put in an elderly, grave 

 person for that period to make fires, and take care of your 

 goods, and defer the hiring of servants 'til spring. I will 

 endeavour to do every thing to make the winter as easy to 

 you as possible : you shall have a bed put up in the drawing- 

 room, and a grate, where you shaU have a constant fire, by 

 which you may instruct your son, and fabricate your Fauna. 

 As my sister, I know by agreeable experience, is of an 

 active disposition, she shall, if she pleases, manage my 

 house, and see to provisions ; and we shall, if it pleases God 

 to bless us with health, I trust, pass the dead season of the 

 year in no uncomfortable way : and at the return of spring 

 I will let you depart in peace ; and wiU follow you in the 

 summer into Lancashire. All this proposal is the result of 

 a sincere intention : and therefore I hope you will think of 



* Letter torn. 



