CHAPTER Vl. 



Early in 1785 Mr. Richard Yalden, Vicar of 

 Newton Valence, died. His loss must have been 

 severely felt by his friend at Selborne, who refers to 

 it below. 



To Miss White. Selborne, Mar. 9, 1785. 



Dear Molly, — We thank you for the tea, which we think 

 very good : and also for the salt-fish, which proves more 

 white, and delicate than usual. Instead of in a parcel, the 

 cod came down in a barrel, which being leaky let the brine 

 out on the kitchen-floor. I therefore told Thomas he should 

 carry it into the cellar. Thomas without much thought 

 took the barrel by the hoops, and was got to the cellar 

 stairs ; when off came the hoops, down fell the barrel, out 

 flew the head : in short the stairs from top to bottom became 

 one broken wet scene of barrel-staves, and codfish ! Please 

 to send me the price of the fish, and remind your father 

 to charge it to me. Has your father received my Xmass 

 long ann. dividend ? 



Pray enquire of your father what is the name of the 

 author of the vision of Piers Plowman : he was, I remember. 

 Fellow of Oriel College,* you may find about him in 



* There is no evidence to support this statement. 

 141 



