120 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBORNE mi 



taker, it seems, for Selborne, is a Mr. Taylor, a gentleman 

 that has long resided in the New Forest : he is a Londoner 

 by birth. 



What between frequent snows, and rain, we have sown 

 no seeds in the garden ; and what is worse, the farmers have 

 sowed no spring-corn. Last Wednesday we had a heavy 

 snow all day, which hung in the trees, and covered the 

 ground very deep ! ! Pray how is it, Mrs. Mary, that the 

 present most hitter spring does not at all retard the coming 

 of the summer birds? for the nightingale was heard at 

 Bramshot on March the 30th, the Tuesday before we left 

 you; and a farmer told Mr. Yalden he saw two swallows 

 at Hawkley on April 7th, and again a nightingale was 

 heard at Maiden-dance on April 16 th, and again many 

 swallows (perhaps house martins) were seen at Oak-hanger- 

 ponds on April 16th : and a black-cap was seen and heard 

 on April 17th. Timothy begins to move, and to make the 

 mould crumble over his back. On my asking Mr. Yalden 

 whether he thought the farmer a likely man to know 

 swallows, he cryed, " 0, yes — for he was a married man." 

 To which I replyed, "that though a very unworthy 

 batchelor, I presumed I knew swallows as well as most 

 married men in England." 



Indeed, Molly, I have suffered a great deal since I saw 

 you; but, I thank God, am much better. The death of 

 Mr. Etty in the midst of my illness did not, you may 

 imagine, much assist my spirits. I was not able to go to 

 Oxford. Tell nieces Barkers that I should be very glad 

 to hear rux the wopses* and Sam Barker that I hope to write 

 to him soon. Little damage was done in the great parlor 

 by the accident that might have proved fatal to the house, 

 had not both the servants been just at hand. 



Mrs. J. White returns you thanks for your kind letter. 



* Some musical piece. Cf. letter to Mary Barker, Jan. 22nd, 1783. 



