OF SELBORNE. 47 



were winter-cut ^ viz. in February and 

 March, before the bark would run. In 

 old times The Holt was estimated to be 

 eighteen miles, computed measure, from 

 water-carriage, viz. from the town of 

 Chertsey, on the Thames ; but now it is 

 not half that distance, since the Wey 

 is made navigable up to the town of 

 Godalming in the county of Surrey. 



LETTER X. 



TO THE SAME. 



August 4, 1767. 



It has been my misfortune never to have 

 had any neighbours whose studies have 

 led them towards the pursuit of natural 

 knowledge ; so that, for want of a com- 

 panion to quicken my industry and 

 sharpen my attention, I have made but 

 slender progress in a kind of information 

 to which I have been attached from my 

 childhood. 



