1789 



AN EAELY EEVIEW 195 



with that happy selection of circumstances, which mark 

 the poet. Throughout therefore not only the understanding 

 is informed, but the imagination is touched. And, if the 

 criterion of excellence, that Dr. Johnson, I think, somewhere 

 in his lives of the poets proposes be true (as it certainly 

 is), Mr. White's book is excellent, for I beheld the end of 

 it with the pensive regret with which a traveller looks upon 

 the setting sun." 



To justify his opinion the author of this notice 

 proceeds to give certain selections from both parts of 

 the book, noting that — " On p. 68 is a very elegant 

 little poem, entitled * The Naturalist's summer even- 

 ing s walk/ which confirms what we have before 

 advanced of the author's poetical powers." 



To Mr. Churton. Seleburne, May 20, 1789. 



Dear Sir, — By my late letter from D"^ Chandler still at 

 EoUe, I am informed, that he and lady wish now to come 

 home; but are prevented by their boy, who being with a 

 wet nurse, cannot be moved, till he is weaned. The D"* 

 desires to know the state of our neighbourhood ; and wishes 

 me to look for an house in the vale of Alton. I can find 

 none in the environs, but in the town itself I have seen 

 one, roomy, cheap, and fit for a gentleman's family. So I 

 have sent an account of the matter to RoUe. 



From the circumstances mentioned in your last respecting 

 D'' Loveday's ponds, and from what I have heard from 

 Eutland, and from my own observations at home I am 

 convinced that the fish which were saved in some pools, 

 were preserved by the rills and springs which ran through 

 them. A current of water must constantly introduce a 

 current of air : while in waters where there were no springs, 

 the air is breathed over and over again till it becomes unfit 



