1774 EDUCATES HIS NEPHEW 251 



As to building I have not yet absolutely determined 

 about it ; though next week will be the last week of asking ; 

 because the bark of oaks (as I must cut some timber) will 

 not strip or run after that time. I am quite at a loss about 

 the house-martins, as they do not appear yet : the swallows 

 and bank-martins were early : a pair of swifts came to the 

 church yesterday. 



Mr. Lever, I find, continues wonderfully generous, and 

 helpful by means of his books : if it was not for the 

 General [Cornwallis] you should, I think, dedicate your 

 work to him. In my monography I have made honourable 

 mention of his museum. Pray where did he get his little 

 mouse ? I mean by that to enquire whether it is common 

 in Lancashire. For I concluded, as it had escaped Ray, that 

 it did not extend far northward. 



When Brother Thomas comes I will enquire what farther 

 information he has procured with regard to a Master for 

 Jack. It is a very difficult matter, it seems, to find a place 

 where all things concur to our wishes. Jack grows stout 

 and tall, but not upright. He says he is 5 feet six inches 

 and a half without his shoes. We began to read Horace's 

 Odes together : but found many of them so indecent for a 

 young man, that we have taken to the Epistles, which are 

 a fine body of ethics, and very entertaining, and sensible. 

 Jack construes well; but makes slips still with regard to 

 quantity. He is become a very good transcriber. I believe 

 such employ now and then is not bad for a young man, since 

 it teaches him the use and power of stopping ; a thing much 

 neglected. Jack has read all the Georgics through. 



I wish I could read Reaumur and De Geer. 



The spring is forward, and we have had some lovely 

 weather; but winter is returned to-day. I want to know 

 what Linn, will say to the supposed Junco and the Turdus. 



My wall-trees promise much fruit. We join in respects 

 to my sister. Pray write soon. y afiect. Brother, 



Gil. White. 



