38 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE 1779 



now, as did formerly. The itching ears even of the vulgar; and 

 the republican principles of the Times, make all the members 

 of our church looked upon with an evil eye. As to the 

 last you are the best judge of it; but in my opinion, a certain 

 small income is better than a precarious large benefice." 



In the following letter a new correspondent 

 appears, the Kev. Ralph Churton, who became one 

 of Gilbert White's most intimate friends and visitors, 

 until the latter's death. At this time a Fellow of 

 Brasenose College, Oxford, and twenty-five years 

 of age, he subsequently became Bampton Lecturer 

 (1785), Whitehall Preacher (1792), Rector of Mid- 

 dleton Cheney, Northants (1792), and Archdeacon 

 of S. David's (1805). Like his Selborne corre- 

 spondent, he was a friend of Mr. John Loveday, 

 of Caversham, father of John Loveday, d.c.l., of 

 Williamscote, Oxfordshire ; and of Dr. Richard 

 Chandler, the antiquary and traveller. He wrote 

 in later life numerous theological works. 



To the Rev. E. Churton. Selborne, Nov. 17, 1779. 



Dear Sir, — On opening your favour, I was much pleased 

 to see your name at the bottom ; because you are a gentle- 

 man to whom I am much obliged, and to whom I wished for 

 an occasion to express my acknowledgements. 



You are a fellow of a college as well as myself, and there- 

 fore must be well aware that with regard to elections it 

 is not in my power to enter into any promises ; but you may 

 be well assured that I shall have the better opinion of Mr. 

 Smith for what you say of him, and, if I am able to attend 

 at Easter, shall mention your recommendation to the society. 



