250 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOENE 1774 



I laid out much more in town than I expected, and am bare 

 of cash. 



Out of all my journals I think I might collect matter 

 enough, and such a series of incidents as might pretty well 

 comprehend the Natural History of this district, especially 

 as to the ornithological part; and I have moreover half a 

 century of letters on the same subject, most of them very 

 long ; all which together (were they thought worthy to be 

 seen) might make up a moderate volume. To these might 

 be added some circumstances of the country, its most curious 

 plants, its few antiquities ; all which together might soon be 

 moulded into a work, had I resolution and spirits enough 

 to set about it. 



As to your own work, your journal incidents will be the 

 most entertaining part of it. Skinner was much pleased 

 with them. You should moreover, I think, have some 

 letters or dissertations for the unsystematic part of your 

 readers, who will not so well relish a Eauna alone. A 

 comparative account of the climates (where they will admit) 

 would, I think, be very engaging. You have by you an 

 abundance of your own letters. 



I should have told you before, that I have finished my 

 monography on the British Hirundines. If you can procure 

 yourself a frank, and will send it to me, Jack shall tran- 

 scribe you one sheet, that you may see how I have acquitted 

 myself, and whether you approve of the manner. 



My cold and feverish complaint hung so about me at 

 Easter that I did not go at all to the election, expecting 

 every day to be laid up; but I wrote to the Provost, and 

 sent a renunciation of the living of Cromall, as I have done 

 since of the living of Swainswick near Bath, which Pen 

 dyed possessed of. 



Brother Thomas and Molly will be here, I think, next 

 week in order that Molly may be settled for a while under 

 the care of Mrs. Etty. 



