17J 



SOWING FUEZE SEED 207 



gentleman came the other day, and said he understood 

 that there was a Mr. White who had lately published two 

 books, a good one and a bad one ; the bad one was concern- 

 ing Botany Bay,* the better respecting some parish. The 

 bookseller recommended the parochial work; and told the 

 enquirer that he did not believe the author ever had been 

 at Botany Bay, or had ever written about it. 



Mrs. J. White joins in respects. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund 

 White are gone to Eamsgate in Kent, a watering-place on 

 the coast. Mr.f and Mrs. Taylor are here. We have again 



a very fine crop of hops. 



Y' most humble servant, 



Gil. White. 

 From the Naturalist's Journal — 



" 1789. Oct. 3. B. Th. White sowed two pounds of furze 

 seed from Ireland on the naked part of the Hanger. The 

 furze seed sown by him on the same space in May last is 

 come-up well. 



" [Oct.] 22. Bro. Tho. White sowed the naked part of the 

 Hanger with great quantities of hips, haws, sloes and holly- 

 berries." 



The labour was, however, useless, since in Decem- 

 ber, 1790, it is recorded that the "sheep have browsed 

 on them as fast as they sprouted." 



The following letter contains a favourable mention 

 of his friend's book : — 



From the Bev. B. Churton. 



Brasen-Nose, Oct. 25, 1789. 



Dear Sir, — The date of your last and still unanswered 

 letter I am ashamed to mention. However, though I have 



* 'A Voyage to Botany Bay,' by John White, a book in much 

 request now, and never a bad one. As a matter of fact it was not pub- 

 lished at this time, and bears date 1790. Of course, it had been advertised 

 before.— A. N. t The Vicar of Selborne. 



