ADV EiniSEMENT. Vll 



particular, be useful in inspiring youiig 

 persons, and those who pass their time 

 in retirement, with a taste for the very 

 pleasing branch of knowledge on which 

 it treats. 



The following few biographical re- 

 cords of the author, it is presumed, will 

 not be unacceptable to the reader. 



Gilbert White was the eldest son 

 of John White, of Selborne, Esq. and 

 of Anne the daughter of I'homas Holt, 

 rector of Slreatham in Surrey. He was 

 born atSelborneon July 18, J 720; and 

 received his school-education at Basing- 

 stoke, under the Rev. Thomas Warton, 

 vicar of that place, and father of those 

 two distinguished literary characters, 

 Dr. Joseph Warton, masterof Winches- 

 ter school, and Mr. Thomas Warton, 

 poetry-professor at Oxford. He was 

 admitted at Oriel College, Oxford, in 

 December 1739, and took his degree 

 of bachelor of arts in June 1743. In 

 ]\Iarch 1744 he was elected fellow of 

 his college. He became master of arts 



