12 INTEODtTCTIOK. 



growth of both works has been fostered by the showers 

 and the sunshine of the open heavens; and in spite of 

 BO much that is artificial in our daily life and habits, 

 there are hours when all our hearts gladly turn to the 

 natural and unperverted gifts of our Maker. 



The History of Selborne, and the Journal of a Natur- 

 alist, happen to have been both written in the southern 

 counties of England. Selborne, the parish of which the 

 Rev. Gilbert White was Rector, lies on the eastern borders 

 of Hampshire. Mr. Knapp has not given us the name 

 of his own village; but its position in Gloucestershire is 

 minutely described. He tells us that it stands upon a 

 high ridge of land commanding very beautiful views, 

 including the broad estuary of the Severn, and the rich 

 plains on its banks, while the fine mountains of southern 

 Wales fill up the back-ground ; a Roman ferry with the 

 sites of ancient stations, and the lines of old roads of 

 the same people, are visible, and the pretty though unim- 

 portant town of Thornbury, with its imposing church 

 and castle, occupy the cliffs on the opposite bank of the 

 river. 



"The smooth Severn stream," \ 



with its 



" Rush-yfringed bank 

 Where grows the willow, and the osier dank," 



