136 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOENE mi 



balloon appeared no bigger than a large tea-urn. When we 

 saw it first, it was north of Farnham, over Farnham-heath ; 

 and never came, I believe, on this side the Farnham-road ; 

 but continued to pass on the other side of Bentley, Froil, 

 Alton; and so for Medsted, Lord Northington's at the 

 Grange, and to the right of Alresford, and Winton ; and to 

 Eumsey, where the aerial philosopher came safe to the 

 ground, near the Church, at about five in the evening. I 

 was wonderfully struck at first with the phsenomenon ; and, 

 like Milton's " belated peasant," felt my heart rebound with 

 fear and joy at the same time. After a while I surveyed the 

 machine with more composure, without that awe and concern 

 for two of my fellow-creatures, lost, in appearance, in the 

 boundless depths of the atmosphere! for we supposed then 

 that two were embarked in this astonishing voyage. At last, 

 seeing with what steady composure they moved, I began to 

 consider them as secure as a group of Storks or Cranes intent 

 on the business of emigration, and who had — 



"... set forth 

 Their airy caravan, high over seas 

 Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing 

 Easing their flight. ..." 



Mr. Taylor, our new vicar, has taken possession of S[elborne] 

 living; and I have reassumed the curacy, after an inter- 

 mission of 26 years ! Mrs. Etty rents the vicarage house ; 

 but has been gone eight or nine weeks, and does not return 

 'til winter. Mr. Yalden has gone to Bath in Company with 

 Mr. Budd. Brother Ben. and family are at Newton, but go 

 next week. Brother Thomas has been expected here all the 

 autumn, but is not yet come. Mrs. H. White brought Lucy 

 to my house lately, for change of air : the poor young woman 

 is languid, and has over-grown her strength : but I perceive 

 no bad symptoms. We have apples and pears innumerable, 

 and very fine grapes. Mrs. Clement is in a fair way, I 

 suspect, to encrease her family. I wish you joy of your late 



