238 GILBEKT WHITE OF SELBOKNE 1774 



concerns as purposely, and in good health, to decline appear- 

 ing at an election. 



For my own feelings I often wish myself with you: and 

 make many comparisons between this and the last winter, 

 not much to the advantage of the present. Last winter 

 I look back upon as one of the most pleasant of my life, 

 when I had my friends about me in a family way; and 

 enjoyed the conversation of relations from whom I had 

 been parted so long. When I do come to see you, you may 

 depend on it I should wish to make you a good long visit : 

 besides the stay that I must make in Kutland. 



As to Jack I should wish to have him stay as long as 

 ever you and his mother can spare him. He does not 

 altogether lose his time; because he construes and trans- 

 lates, or looks over maps, or writes letters every day. 

 He has read all the 8 volumes of 'Spectators' through 

 with that relish that showed he understood them: and 

 is much pleased with Derham's * Physico - theoL' and is 

 now embarked in Brydone's and Sir W. Hamilton's Letters, 

 in which I make him refer all the way to maps. Jack 

 and I want to go to Fyfield soon; and therefore wish to 

 know from my sister whether he has had the whooping 

 cough, which all Harry's boys labour under at present. 



My monography on the house-martin is finished, and in 

 the hands of Mr. Barrington, who is so much prejudiced 

 in its favour that he proposes soon to have it read before 

 the Koyal Society. Another on the house-swallow is near 

 compleated; from which I propose to proceed to the rest 

 of the British Hirundines. Can Lever send me any authen- 

 tic remarks? Pray tell me over again the story of the 

 swallow building on the dead owl's wings and on the conch, 

 4&C. I think I could make a good use of it.* You have 

 done very well, I think, with Mrs. Wodin. Mr. Budd was 



* Vide • The Natural History of Selborne,' Letter XVIII. to Barrington. 



