188 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE 



there is little dependence to be made on distant engagements. 

 Pray take me, in the very words of Creech, "just as I am, 

 very much disposed to receive you, and ready to shew you all 

 civilities." 



If you are a botanist, we have a very good Flora, to whom 

 I am willing to introduce you. You are, I find, learned in 

 yew-trees : we have at hand several noble ones. 



We have just found a large stone-urn down at the Priory *; 

 for what use it was made it remains for you to inform us. 

 We will examine The Tenqile, King Johns hill, &c. &c. 

 I am, with great esteem, 



Yr obliged, and humble servant, 



GIL. WHITE. 



Dr. Chandler, who is going to be very busy Avith Bp. 

 Beaufort's Register, fr Winchester, joins in respects. When 

 my beds are at liberty I will write : pray let me hear soon. 



LETTER III. 



TO THE SAME. 



Fyfield, near Andover, Hants, 



Aug. 31, 1780. 



Dear Sie, 

 Your favour of July 10 th carried with it a very obliging air, 

 because it seemed to imply that you will endeavour to pay me 

 a visit. 



Now let me (as old men love to be didactic) enjoin you to 

 leave the N. as soon as you conveniently can, and to get to 

 Selborne by the last week in Sep r at farthest ; for it seems 

 to me to be very unreasonable to desire you to come so far 



* [The discovery of this urn and its destruction are mentioned in the 

 'Antiquities' (Vol. I. p. 370). An antiquarian friend, probably Dr. 

 Chandler, suggested that it might have been a standard measure for the 

 Priory.— T. B.J 



