98 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 



bees. This lad was lean and sallow, and of a cadaverous 

 complexion ; and, except in his favourite pursuit, in which 

 he was wonderfully adroit, discovered no manner of under- 

 standing. Had his capacity been better, and directed to 

 the same object, he had perhaps abated much of our 

 wonder at the feats of a more modern exhibitor of bees ; 

 and we may justly say of him now, 



"... Thou, 



Had thy presiding star propitious shone, 

 Should'st Wildman be 



When a tall youth he was removed from hence to a 

 distant village, where he died, as I understand, before he 

 arrived at manhood. 



I am, &c. 



