314 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOENE 1776 



occasion. In the plate respecting the male and female 

 Vcdlisneria you will see a wonderful instance of the wisdom 

 of providence. Mrs. Stebbing* and I go down to Selborne 

 together on Friday next in a post-chaise. I shall not forget 



to take my sister's present. 



Y" affect., 



Gil. White. 



The water-snails, two or three species, now begin to 

 be buoyant, and to crawl with their bellies upwards on 

 or against the surface of the water. We have none round 

 Seleburne. 



On March 26tli, 1776, after his friend's return 

 from his visit to London in January and February, 

 where he noted in his Naturalist's Journal the ap- 

 pearance of the town "in Siberian weather," Mulso 

 writes from Winchester : — 



"I cannot tell where this will reach you; but knowing 

 your old exactness, I imagine that you are now returned to 

 your Curacy, as your tether has been stretched this time 

 more than usual. 



I hope you are apprized by this time of the value of your 

 share of the assets of Mr. Holt, and have found them rather 

 to exceed than to fall short of your expectations. It is well 

 when so good a fortune falls into the hands of so good a 

 man as your brother Thomas. 



I have hardly heard from my brother or sister Mulso 

 this winter. I only heard from Sister Chapone that you 

 had been at their house. I therefore shall be curious to 

 know whether you fixed with my brother upon any plan 

 for your views and drawings. The lateness of the season 

 now makes me suspect that your work will not come forth 



* Mrs. Etty's sister. 



