THE REV. JOHN WHITE. 41 



After your disappointment in town I was glad to hear by 

 your last that you had a prospect of disposing of your son at 

 Manchester; but now I understand that farther difficulties 

 arise. The Scopoli from Mr. Pennant that you mention, is at 

 Selborne ; and I will send it, if you desire it ; but it affords no 

 information. 



As you rather complain of some reserve on Benj.'s side re- 

 specting your work, suppose you write to him, and ask him 

 how much he will give you downright clear of the plates and 

 printing for your copy ; and then you will know your certain 

 gain, and will run no risk. Anything in the nat. way now 

 sells well. Or if he chuses to go shares in profit or loss, en- 

 quire of him what proportion he should think would pay him 

 for conducting the sale and publication. Booksellers have 

 certainly a power of pushing books into the world ; and it must 

 be a work of great merit to obtain and make its way invitis 

 bibliopolis. You mention also a want of books : might you 

 not also apply to Benj. to know on what terms he would fur- 

 nish you with the use of books proper for your purpose 'til 

 you had compleated your Fauna? It is highly proper, it 

 seems, to have a good many cuts. Mr. Curtis will superin- 

 tend your engravings. 



Mrs. Chapone * sold her two first vols, for £50. Now she has 

 made up a third from essays, poems, adventures, &c. and sold 

 that to another for £250 ; so that it is expected the man will 

 lose considerably by the purchase. 



Many thanks for the copies of your ' Gib. Letters,' which are 

 very entertaining. You have the advantage of me now, since 

 you have taken away my amanuensis. I am disturbed that 

 Mr. Shaw takes no manner of notice of the Hirundines ; nor 

 how far the melba and hybernce extend, as might have been 

 expected from his opportunities at Cadiz and elsewhere. Pray 

 let Cap. Shaw know, that if he comes to Alton I should be 

 glad to see him. The spirit for nat. hist, that you left behind 

 you is by no means evaporated ; neither is your mantle worn 

 out. 



* [This lady was the early object of Gilbert White's regard and 

 addresses when Hester Mulso. (See memoir.) — T. B.] 



