NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 151 



[I have just read with satisfaction & improvement Kalm's 

 journey thro' N : America : but as he is continually refer- 

 ring to an other work he cuts us very short often times both 

 in botany and zoology. 



Yesterday I had a letter from town which mentions 

 the safe return of M r Banks ; & adds that he looks as well 

 as ever he did in his life. So agreeable an event calls for 

 my warmest congratulations. For if we rejoice at the 

 arrival of a friend who has been absent but a few months 

 perhaps in a neighbouring kingdom : how shall we express 

 ourselves when we see one restored as it were from the 

 other world, after having undergone the astonishing 

 hazards & dangers that must attend the circumnavigation 

 of the world itself ! 1 ! 



I have great reason to regret my disappointment of not 

 meeting you in town : but as we live by hope I trust that 

 I shall be more fortunate an other time. 



With great esteem I remain 

 Your obliged, & 



most humble Servant, 



GIL : WHITE.] 



