234 GILBEKT WHITE OF SELBORNE 1773 



free from pain, and able to walk to all parts of her house 

 without a stick ; rides out in her chaise, and is for her great 

 age an extraordinary woman. Her leg, I suppose, is much 

 swelled ; but Mr. Manning does not seem to think that that 

 circumstance is attended with any danger. 



In my last, as I wrote on a sunny day, I mentioned that 

 my levelling work went on swimmingly; but there came 

 immediately upon me a glut of wet for many weeks that 

 spoiled my metaphor, and drowned and floated all my 

 works, and sadly embarrassed our operations in the clay, 

 which was all converted to mud and mire. Before we could 

 dig we were obliged to lade. However, by perseverance 

 in five weeks instead of twelve days I finished my job, 

 which has a very good effect, though neither the turf nor 

 the pavement can be expected to lie quite so smooth and 

 regular as if all had been moved in dry weather. The 

 ground came out to nothing on an hanging level on the 

 grass plot short of the mulberry tree, and in the broad 

 walk midway between the farther wicket and the alcove 

 on a dead level. I apprehend no harm from the borders; 

 they will be lowered. We went 20 inches deep at the 

 entrance of the long walk. My back front looks higher 

 and better. 



I am sorry you have improved your parlor 'til it smokes ; 

 it is a common case, but you must exert all your mechanic 

 powers to remove so sad a nuisance. My horse Miller is 

 very lame, and could not come ; as Jack was trotting him 

 in the north field he trod in an old track, and strained 

 his knee in a wonderful manner. However, his old friend 

 Mr. Etty has lent Jack his poney, that carries him well. 

 The tortoise went under the ground about November 20th, 

 came out again for one day December 2 : and now lies in a 

 swampy border in mud and mire ! 



My letters to Mr. Barrington swell very fast; he has 

 engaged me in the monography of the swallow genus. I 



