204 GILBEKT WHITE OF SELBOENE 1739 



not be so well effected in stiff paper, then packed in a basket 

 or box with dry straw to prevent friction; there is no fear 

 of their coming safe to hand, even though the distance was 

 greater and more intricate. 



From Alton to Town is one day's journey, from thence 

 to Bath one, the third day brings it to hand; and I am 

 apt to think consigning it to a friend in Town might rather 

 delay it than otherwise. If directed for me at Lady Jane 

 Courtenay's, Bath, through London, with perishable marked 

 on the direction or any other devise to hasten it, there is no 

 doubt of it coming to me on the third or fourth day. 



I remain D"" Sir, 

 Your much obliged and faithful humble serv*, 



G. Montagu. 



During the summer of 1789 many relatives visited 

 at Selborne on their way to and from Fyfield. On 

 August 16th, 1789, Mulso, who was detained by 

 ill-health at his Winchester house, writes : — 



"How is your sweet retreat this year? What are your 

 enjoyments, and what friends have you about you? Let 

 me hear from you, my old friend, now and then; if I was 

 not solicitous about you, I should not deserve you. . . . 

 My sister Chapone goes to Bath on Thursday; she desired 

 me to ask you if you had read D^ Darwin's 'Loves of the 

 Plants.' She admires the poetry ; but the subject, ah pah ! 

 *with the loves of flowers,' says she, 'one might play with 

 one's fancy; but the loves of stamens and pistils is too 

 much for my strength.'" 



A remark from which it may be inferred that " the 

 admirable Mrs. Chapone " was not a botanist. 



