xvi Introduction 



enemy, is supposed to be lapped up in his blankets. These 

 and kindred joys they know who are of the following of White, 

 and not the least of the merits of that writer is that every 

 year, as new editions of his book appear, the number of those 

 who go to nature for first-hand information and trouble them- 

 selves but little whether they make epoch-moving discoveries 

 or not, is slowly and insensibly increased. 



The first edition of White's ' ' Natural History of Selborne" appeared 

 in 1789, — four years before his death. It bears the imprint of his 

 brother, Benjamin White, who was a Fleet Street publisher. The; 

 *' Naturalist's Calendar," now usually included in the same volume, 

 was extracted from his papers after his death, and followed in 1795. 

 Some additional extracts were published by Jesse in 1834. The 

 " Standard" edition by Bennett, and revised by Harting, appeared 

 in 1874-6, and in 1877 came the still better edition of Thomas Bell. 

 Still further matter was added to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe's edition of 

 1900, including a ** Garden Kalendar " kept by Gilbert White from 

 1751 to 177 1 ; and Dean Hole contributed an introduction. Special 

 attention has been given, too, to Selborne of later years, and Mr. 

 Tompkins' book in the " Temple Topographies " will be found 

 useful. 



1906. 



