1787 "CEASE TO CUEATIZE" 165 



His nephew's success is in itself evidence that 

 Gilbert White was anything but a ''persona ingrata" 

 at Oriel. 



On May 6th, 1787, Mulso writes to his friend 

 upon the subject of a subscription to the new library 

 then proposed to be built by Oriel College, for the 

 books bequeathed by Lord Leigh. He continues — 



"I sincerely wish well to the Society; it furnished me 

 with a friend whom I continue to value, and shall look upon 

 as one of my blessings to the end of my life. You know 

 less of his worth than other people, so I shall not put you 

 to the trouble of guessing at him. ... I heartily wish you 

 joy of having got your brother Harry's son into that Society, 

 as I know you had set your heart upon it. It is indeed a 

 fine provision for a young man. I hope you did not signify 

 a willingness to resign your own, in order to facilitate his 

 Fellowship. Keep that eligible Bisk"^ in your sleeve and 

 cease to curatize; it is too great a trouble for you: 'solve 

 senescentem.' You may do what duty you please, but do 

 not be under the necessity of doing it, or the solicitude of 

 getting your place supplied. This is my serious advice, and 

 the wish of all who love you." 



The advice of his easygoing friend did not com- 

 mend itself to the Curate of Selborne ; who, with 

 more wisdom, had neither the wish nor the intention 

 to live an idle life. 



In May, 1787, the following note was made in the 



* Bisk or bisque, a term in the game of tennis for the odds one player 

 gives the other. Mulso's expression, signifying "to have an advantage to fall 

 back upon," seems to have been proverbial, as the ' New English Dictionary' 

 cites two examples of its use ; one in 1713 — " He (like a compleat Politician) 

 reserves always a Bisk in his sleeve (a Phrase we Tennis-players use)." 



