58 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER 



may be thought too long. The whale fishery is a fine new 

 circumstance, and worthy of a national attention, especially 

 as we may soon possibly have nothing to do with the N. 

 American seas. But in such narrow limits, and so warm a cli- 

 mate, how can such an offensive occupation be carryed on 

 without proving a vast nuisance to the garrison ? Train-oil and 

 whales' flesh must smell very vigorously in lat. 3<i. How wise 

 have all the naturalists proved themselves to be by laying it 

 down for granted that there were no whales in the Mediterra- 

 nean*. 



Last night my bro. received a letter from the attorney near 

 Manchester, who wishes to be curate of Darwenf. He is 

 urgent for matters to be brought to a bargain. Sure the in- 

 junctions and provisions against simony have never reached 

 your part of the world. If disappointed, he will not, I hope, 

 stir up a clamour against the southern non-resident. 



D — is with me ; he is good natured, but somewhat heady 

 at times. It is well he is intended for trade, since he loves 

 anything better than book : bodily labour he does not spare ; 

 for rolling, wheeling, water-drawing, grass-walk sweeping- 

 are his delight. I have taught him to ride ; and perhaps a 

 good seat on an horse mav be more useful to him than Virgil 

 or Horace. I tryed Phredrus, but my patience fail'd. How- 

 ever, he may procure health and strength and a little behaviour 

 at my house. We all join in respects. 



Yrs. affect. 



GIL. WHITE. 



My brother's outlet is still pleasing. 



* [The occurrence of Whales in the Mediterranean can only have 

 been fortuitous, aud could not have led to the establishment of a regular 

 trade as here alluded to. — T. B.] 



t [Darwen, a township in the parish of Blackburn, of which parish 

 John White was incumbent, and in whose hands the appointment rested. 

 — T. B.j 



