1774 LINN^US'S LETTEE 261 



helpless young, and invariably but two in a nest ; so that 

 their congeners, who lay all round from four to six eggs, and 

 produce invariably two broods in a year, increase five times 

 as fast as they do. Linna3us is wrong even in doubting 

 whether the Hirundo hyemalis be a variety of the ajpus ; for 

 the feet, the bill, the whole habit bespeak it an absolute 

 swallow, not a swift. The melha is an absolute apus. Pray 

 send me a copy of that gent/s last letter; I love to see the 

 letters of great and able men in any way. Don't regard the 

 want of franks. I pay 2Jd. for a nonsensical newspaper, 

 and shall I hesitate to pay 7d. for the sight of an epistle 

 from the greatest naturalist in Europe ? He will insert you 

 in the next edition of his * Syst. Nat.' : say to him in your 

 next, " orna me." 



I cannot procure a grass-hopper lark. They are such shy, 

 skulking varlets ; such troglodytes, such hedge-creepers, there 

 is no knowing where to have them. When a good oppor- 

 tunity offers, I will send the drawings to town. Poor Nanny 

 White of Fleet Street is in a very declining way. Happen- 

 ing to meet Mr. Edm. Woods lately at Newton, I pressed 

 him very earnestly to lend his assistance in looking out 

 a master for Jack. He promises to do his best, and is 

 a likely man to forward such a business. . . . You must 

 read Lord Chesterfield's letters ; they are very entertaining, 

 though in parts very exceptionable. 



Bear is a sort of barley: Mr. Pennant should have told 

 his readers as much in a note. Mr. and Mrs. Lort are now 

 on a tour round N. Wales. Mr. Leach has lost his cause 

 with respect to the lead-mines, and stands obliged to refund 

 all his gains. Molly White* must lose her share, of course. 

 Niece Molly joins in respects, your loving brother, 



Gil. White. 



I am mending my tiling and pointing against winter. A 

 stitch in my side makes writing irksome. 



* Her mother's maiden name was Leach, of Loveston, near Pembroke. 



