1783 "METAMOEPHOSIS" 105 



in this house, stare and wonder when I advance that the 

 matter is vegetable; and D"^ Chandler in particular shakes 

 his head, and asserts that the mass is frogs thrown up 

 indigested. But I beg to know why crows are not some- 

 times crop-sick, and have not weak digestions in Hants (yet 

 we have no such appearance) as well as in Cheshire. Apply 

 a magnifying glass to the substance, and try to discover the 

 seeds. 



I return you thanks for Hampton's pamphlet, and am 

 indebted to you whatever it cost. The notices concerning 

 Wolmer-forest in the 'Gentleman's Magazine,' came, I 

 conclude, from D"^ Chandler, whose extracts from the 

 Worldham Kegister are genuine. We have this year a most 

 lovely harvest, much corn — but no hops. Our fruit is well 

 ripened, and grapes very forward. 



You pay an high compliment to my ' Crocuses,' but were 

 not aware that it will bring more lines on your back. Eead 

 them, as little exercises, made last autumn for the use of 

 my nephews (for such they really were), and then you will 

 give them all reasonable allowances. Some weeks ago 

 D"" Chandler was at Portsmouth ; but we have not seen 

 him. The D'^ does not seem disposed to settle. May I 

 presume to send my humble respects to D"* Townson, whom 

 I have sometimes seen, a long time ago, at Magdalen College. 

 Sportsmen expect a vast breed of game this season. Pray 

 be so good as to favour me with a letter at your leisure. 

 Mrs. J. White joins in respects. I am 



Your obliged servant, 



Gil. White. 



I am glad that you are pleased with the passage from the 

 life of Peireskius, and that you, as well as myself, have been 

 haunted with passages in music. 



If you will look in the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for June 

 1783, you will find, under article " Metamorphosis," a copy 



