222 GILBERT WHITE OF SELBOENE 1790 



to see how much later we are in Norfolk than you are in 

 Hampshire. I am, with great esteem, 



Sir, your most obedient 



humble servant, 



R. Marsham. 



P.S. I have now in a Stack of Blocks a young Cuckow 

 fed by a water-Wagtail. 



To B. Marsham. 



Selborne, near Alton, Hants, 



Aug. 13th, 1790. 



Good Sir, — As an author I have derived much satisfaction 

 from your kind and communicative letter, and am glad to 

 hear that my book has found its way into Norfolk, and that 

 it has fallen into the hands of so intelligent, and candid 

 a reader as yourself, whose good word may contribute to 

 make it better known in those parts. I am glad that you 

 happened to mention your most estimable friend, the late 

 D"^ Steven Hales; because he was also my most valuable 

 friend, and in former days near neighbour during the 

 summer months. For tho' his usual abode was at Tedding- 

 ton ; yet did he for many years reside for about two months 

 at his rectory of Faringdon, which is only two miles from 

 hence ; and was well known to my Grandfather, and Father, 

 as well as to myself. If I might presume to say that what 

 you see respecting the copulation of toads is, I think, a 

 mistake, you will pardon my boldness : because the amours 

 carried on in pools and wet ditches in the spring time are 

 performed by frogs, which are more black and bloated at 

 that season than afterwards. As to toads they seem to be 

 more reserved in their intrigues. 



With regard to the annual encrease of swallows, and that 

 those that return bear no manner of proportion to those 

 that depart; it is a subject so strange, that it will be best 



