400 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



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 hearing, 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 pro- 

 posed to have added an Antius Historico-Naturalis, or 

 the Natural History of the Twelve Months of the Year ; 

 which would have comprised many incidents and oc- 

 currences that have not fallen into my way to be men- 

 tioned 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 re- 

 spectful 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 25, 1787. 



