OF SELBORNE. 341 



came out. He has been known to overturn 

 hives for the sake of honey, of which he was 

 passionately fond. Where metheglin was 

 making he would linger round the tubs and 

 vessels, begging a draught of what he called 

 bee-wine. As he ran about he used to make 

 a humming noise with his lips, resembling 

 the buzzing of bees. This lad was lean 

 and sallow, and of a cadaverous com- 

 plexion ; and, except in his favourite pur- 

 suit, in which he was wonderfully adroit, 

 discovered no manner of understanding. 

 Had his capacity been better, and directed 

 to the same object, he had perhaps abated 

 much of our wonder at the feats of a more 

 modern exhibiter of bees ; and we may 

 justly say of him now. 



Thou, 



" Had thy presiding star propitious shone, 

 " Should'st Wildman be ■■■ 



When a tall youth he was removed from 

 hence to a distant village, where he died, 

 as I understand, before he arrived at man- 

 hood. I am, &c 



