188 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBORNE 1788 



&c., had been read and passed over, the festival of Xtmass 

 came creeping upon us before we could be aware. Being 

 reminded by this wise saw, I began to think that I would 

 write to neighbour Churton, and invite him to Selborne, 

 when your agreeable letter came in. 



It is a very flattering account that you give of the 

 reception which my book met with at Caversham and your 

 lodgings. There is reason to wish that the work may find 

 many more such candid readers : if not, what is to become 

 of the Editors, who have spared no expense in getting it 

 up, and who have printed off a large impression ? 



I am now reading every day your friend D** Townson's * 

 discourses, which give me, as you engaged that they would, 

 singular satisfaction: there is an acumen, and nicety of 

 critical discernment, not often to be met with. In his 

 sermon, p. 282, 1 am particularly charmed with the author's 

 remarks upon the use Xt. made of his parables, and the 

 reasons why they were so nicely adapted to the taste of his 

 hearers ! 



We have just heard that Miss and Reb. Chase were on 

 the wing for India. Their motive must be, no doubt, a view 

 of settling in the married state. Celibacy has something 

 in it so abhorrent to the sex, that they will flie from pole to 

 pole to avoid it. However, let their fate be what it may, 

 I wish them happy. 



Pray bring what you transcribe respecting the Kopwvrj and 

 XeXi^wv; some use may possibly be made of it. I rejoice 

 to hear that D"^ Chandler is well. I most readily condole 

 with you on the sad calamity that has befallen at Windsor ; 

 and pray to God that He will be pleased speedily to 

 restore the King to a right use of his faculties. Should 

 the nation be long deprived of one of its states so necessary 

 to the constitution, such a spirit of party, it is to be feared, 



* 'Discourses on the Gospels,' by Thomas Townson, d.d,, Archdeacon 

 of Richmond and Rector of Mali)as, Cheshire, 



