The Natural History of Selborne 389 



damage to the meadows and fallows, by deluging the one and wash- 

 ing away the soil of the other. The hollow lane towards Alton was 

 so torn and disordered as not to be passable till mended, rocks being 

 removed that weighed two hundred weight. Those that saw the 

 effect which the great hail had on ponds and pools say that the 

 dashing of the water made an extraordinary appearance, the froth 

 and spray standing up in the air three feet above the surface. The 

 rushing and roaring of the hail, as it approached, was truly tre- 

 mendous. 



Though the clouds at South Lambeth, near London, were at that 

 juncture thin and light, and no storm was in sight, nor within hear- 

 ing, yet the air was strongly electric ; for the bells of an electric 

 machine at that place rang repeatedly, and fierce sparks were dis- 

 charged. 



When I first took the present work in hand I proposed to have 

 added an " Annus Historico-naturalis^ or The Natural History of the 

 Twelve Months of the Year ; " which would have comprised many 

 incidents and occurrences that have not fallen in my way to be 

 mentioned in my series of letters ; but, as Mr. Aikin of Warrington 

 has lately published somewhat of this sort, and as the length of my 

 correspondence has sufficiently put your patience to the test, I shall 

 here take a respectful leave of you and natural history together, 

 and am, 



With all due deference and regard, 



Your most obliged and most humble servant, 



GIL. WHITE. 



SELBORNE, June z^tk, 1787. 



