206 CORRESPONDENCE OF GILBERT WHITE 



and swallows, perhaps half a score of each. On the 6th, 

 going to Williamscot, I saw two swallows ; and last Friday 

 (12th) I saw about half a dozen martins flitting about over 

 the village of Williamscot ; I have seen none since, though I 

 had some hopes of seeing some to day as I was riding at noon 

 about Headington ; for it was particularly fine. I thank you 

 for forwarding the letter, and will repay you with pleasure 

 whatever you may have advanced for me on that or any other 

 account when I have the happiness of seeing you again ; and 

 I do hope, please God, to live to see the day when my health 

 shall be established in such a degree that I may not be a bur- 

 den and plague to my friends wherever I am. I looked in 

 the ' De Senectute,' where a country life is celebrated, but do 

 not meet with any passage that I think quite applicable as a 

 motto. I saw your Provost at church to day, and thought he 

 looked very well ; his wig improves him much. At Wil- 

 liamscot I cast my eye over the account of Alien Priories; and 

 I see a great part of the account consists of extracts in Latin, 

 titles of deeds, or references to them, &c. ; so that if there is 

 Latin in the Selborne ' Antiquities,' it will be agreeable to good 

 authorities. However, for my own single opinion (and I 

 speak with the frankness of sincere friendship), I should like 

 it never the worse if in one or two of the letters Latin was 

 less introduced, provided the sense could without much diffi- 

 culty be given in honest English. I hope Mr. B. White, who 

 I suppose is still your neighbour or your guest, finds his 

 health before this time perfectly re-established. I beg my best 

 respects to him, and to Mr. T. White, and, in one word, to all 

 at Newton and Selborne. * * * I owe you indeed many, 

 many thanks for your most obliging friendship and hospi- 

 tality, which you will permit me to present with every good 

 wish for your welfare. 

 I am, dear Sir, 



Your very sincere and faithful servant, 



R. CHURTON. 



