192 GILBEIIT WHITE OF SELBOllNE 1739 



coincident with the issue of his book to the public ; 

 since, on December 28th, 1788, he lost his youngest 

 brother, Henry, who died very suddenly at Fyfield, 

 aged 55, leaving a numerous family. 



On January 5th, 1789, Mulso writes : — 



" Though letters of condolence are very ineffectual, yet 

 cannot I bear to pass unnoticed the sad event of which you 

 informed me in your last. I am struck with it as one of 

 the wonderful decrees of Providence, that a person on whom 

 so many other creatures depended for provision, comforts, 

 and education, should be so hastily struck out of the book of 

 life. 



" Yours is the most happy family that I know in being able 

 to give mutual help on these necessary calls. I heard the 

 other day with great pleasure that Mrs. J. White's son is 

 much admired in his way, and gets into great business. 



Mr. Lowther and Dr. Sturges (both able men) admire your 

 book, particularly the Natural History, which not only 

 seems well founded, but has an originality in the manage- 

 ment of it that is very pleasing. I see that you avoid 

 naming names, yet when you are mentioning Sunbury, 

 and a friend that you visited there, I a little repine that 

 my name did not stand in a book of so much credit and 

 respectability; and I am ready to say with TuUy, 'Orna 

 me.' " 



To Thomas Barker. January 8, 1789. 



Dear Sir, — You must have heard no doubt before now 

 of the sad and afflicting news from Fyfield; of the sudden 

 and unexpected event that has plunged a numerous family 

 in the deepest sorrow and trouble. How the poor man 

 has left his concerns, and how the widow and children 

 are to proceed, I have not yet heard : however as money 



