IV PREFACE. 



his life in literary occupations, and especially in the 

 study of Nature. This he followed with patient assiduity, 

 and a mind ever open to the lessons of piety and bene- 

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

 Though several occasions offered of settling upon a 

 college living, he could never persuade himself to quit 

 the beloved spot, which was indeed a peculiarly happy 

 situation for an observer. Thus his days passed tranquil 

 and serene, with scarcely any other vicissitudes than 

 those of the seasons, till they closed at a mature age, on 

 June 26, 1793. 



The above short sketch was prefixed to the edition 

 of Mr White's work published after his death, by his 

 friend Dr Aiken of Warrington. It is abundantly 

 meagre, but except the many pleasing allusions to 

 himself throughout his letters, it contains all that the 

 public have ever known of our author's personal history. 

 An enthusiastic admirer of his, who lately visited the 

 village of Selborne, thus sums up his account : " Of 

 Gilbert White himself, I could collect few personal 

 reminiscences ; and all that an old dame, who had 

 nursed several of the family, could tell me of the philo- 

 sophical old bachelor was, that ' he was a still, quiet 

 body/ and that < there wasn't a bit of harm in him, I'll 

 assure ye, sir : there was'nt indeed.' " 



