328 GILBEKT WHITE OF SELBOKNE 1776 



A little later on the usual visit to Ringmer was paid. 

 To Samuel Barker. Kingmer, Aug. 19, 1776. 



Dear Sam, — A knowledge of the grasses is the most 

 desireable part of botany, because the most useful; but it 

 is the most neglected, for graziers and farmers do not seem 

 to distinguish any one sort of Gramen from the other ; the 

 annual from the perennial, the succulent from the dry, 

 or the aquatic from the upland. Whereas by attention 

 their meadows and pastures might be much improved; and 

 it is an old maxim, that he is an useful member of society, 

 a good common- wealths-man, " who can procure two blades 

 of grass where only one grew before." 



I am not a little pleased to find that you have got the 

 Eirundo riparia just at hand ; because I shall expect from 

 a man of your accuracy some circumstances of information, 

 which I cannot so well make myself master of at the 

 distance of Wolmer forest. You will be pleased, another 

 year, to attend to the exact season of their coming and 

 departure ; time of nidification, and bringing out their first 

 and second brood, &c., &c. Pay attention also to the other 

 three species, for I shall be glad of any well - attested 

 anecdotes, intending some time hence to publish a new 

 edition of my 'Hirundines' in some way or other. My 

 artist Mr. Grimm stayed with me 27 days; 24 of which 

 he worked very hard, and displayed great tokens of genius 

 and assiduity. He finished twelve drawings; one of which 

 was a view of Hawkley-hanger ; but that scape, I think, 

 did not succeed so well as some others. Bro. Harry made 

 me a visit, and was much delighted with what was going 

 on ; and in particular with a view of the hermitage, which 

 Grimm is to copy for him in town.* From me my artist 



* This was done. This really beautiful water-colour drawing of the 

 original Hermitage, which is considerably larger than the vignette published 

 in 'The Natural History of Selborne,' is now in the possession of the Earl 

 of Stamford, a great-giandson of Henry White. 



