1781 AN UNNATURAL UNCLE 73 



which was a female fellow-traveller, who after a time told 



her she was going to Selborne in Hants. Pray, says Mrs. H. 



do you know Mr. White of that place ? Yes, replies the 



woman, by character ; that is the gentleman that starved his 



niece. Sure, replyed Mrs. H. you must be mistaken ; I can 



hardly credit the report. You may depend on the truth of 



it, rejoined the person again, for I have relations at Selborne, 



and go there every year. Thus you see, that you have been 



looked upon as one of the Children in the vjood, and I as the 



Unnatural Uncle. I must desire you therefore to come down 



as plump and chearful as possible; and to eat and drink 



plentifully all the time you stay, that I may no longer labour 



under the atrocious imputation of starving my relations ! 



My Sister, and John came here yesterday to dinner, and 



join in respects to you and your father, and nephew and 



niece Barkers. Y"^ hard-hearted Uncle, 



Gil. White. 

 Miss Etty is at Priestlands bathing. 



I rejoice to hear that Miss Mary Barker's hand is so 



finely healed. 



From the Naturalist's Journal — 



"Aug. 24 One swift still frequents the eaves of the 

 Church; and moreover has, I discover, two young nearly 

 fledged which show their white chins at the mouth of the 

 crevice. This incident of so late a brood of swifts is an 

 exception to the whole of my observations ever since I 

 bestowed any attention on that species of HirundinesV 



To Miss White. Selborne, Sep. 4, 178L 



Dear Molly, — For some weeks past I have now expected 

 a letter from you every post ; and for several evenings past 

 have flattered myself that you and your father would 

 surprize us agreeably by coming without any notice. Mrs. 

 Etty, who is a wise woman of Tekoa, told me positively that 



