xi i INT ROD UCTOR Y OBSER VA TIO\'S. 



The sketch which his brother John appended to the octavo 

 edition of his works in 1802 is, as we have stated, the only 

 memorial of his life, and, as it is authentic and very short, it 

 is best to print it as it was originally published. The same 

 modest and retired habits never tempted him, so far as is 

 known, to sit for any likeness, and no portrait or profile 

 remains to recall the features of one whose writings have been 

 so much and so widely read.* 



" Gilbert White was the eldest son of John White of 

 Selborne, Esq., and of Anne, the daughter of Thomas Holt, 

 rector of Streatham in Surrey. He was born at Selborne on 

 July 1 8th, 1720; and received his school education at Basing- 

 stoke, under the Rev. Thomas Warton, vicar of that place, and 

 father of those two distinguished literary characters, Dr. Joseph 

 Warton, master of Winchester school, and Mr. Thomas 

 Warton, poetry-professor at Oxford. He was admitted at 

 Oriel College, Oxford, in December, 1739, and took his degree 

 of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1743. In March, 1744, he was 

 elected fellow of his college. He became Master of Arts in 

 October, 1746, and was admitted as one of the senior proctors 

 of the University in April, 1752. Being of an unambitious 

 temper, and strongly attached to the charms of rural scenery, 

 he early fixed his residence in his native village, where he spent 

 the greater part of his life in literary occupations, and especi- 

 ally in the study of nature. This he followed with a patient 

 assiduity, and a mind ever open to the lessons of piety and 

 benevolence, which such a study is so well calculated to afford. 

 Though several occasions offered of settling upon a college 



f " Oriel College, of which Gilbert White was for more than fifty years a fellow, some 

 years since'offered to have a portrait painted of him for their hall. An inquiry was then 

 made of all the members of his family, but no portrait of any description could .be found. 

 I have heard my father say that Gilbert "White was much pressed by his brother Thomas 

 (my grandfather) to have his portrait painted, and that he talked of it ; but it was never 

 done." A. HOLT WHITE. Notes and Queries, September, No. 204, page 304. 



