xii INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 



describe everything simply and truthfully, record only as facts 

 such as are known and can be proved to be such, and never 

 forget that one hand only fashioned all the objects which it 

 gives them pleasure and interest to observe, and that the same 

 power regulates their continuance or change. 



No pains have been spared by the publishers of the present 

 edition to illustrate it fully. An artist, Mr. Pearson, was sent 

 to Selborne to procure authentic sketches of the village and 

 surrounding country, so that these may be depended upon as 

 faithful representations, and not mere copies from previous 

 engravings. These have also been accompanied by some notes 

 describing the present condition of Selborne, which cannot fail 

 to be interesting. 



" Selborne has probably suffered as little from change as any 

 village that has obtained a similar celebrity. It has been 

 so often described in former editions of White's fascinating and 

 instructive volume, that any farther account of its present 

 aspect might appear unnecessary, yet in some few particulars it 

 may be interesting to note the result of a recent visit The first 

 view of Selborne obtained by the visitor as he approaches the 

 village from the New Elton road is peculiarly striking. The 

 church and vicarage with a few of the houses lie embosomed 

 among trees in the valley ; beyond these a small wooded park 

 belonging to the residence of White extends to the " Hanger," 

 or hanging wood, which is a striking feature in this locality. 

 This wood, composed of luxuriant beech-trees, rises on the side 

 of a steep hill to a great height, appearing to overhang the 

 village and giving to the landscape a particular and striking 

 beauty. Nore Hill, seen upon the left, is also a richly wooded 

 eminence, divided from the Hanger by an undulating slope." 



The above is descriptive of the view placed at the commence- 

 ment of our Introductory remarks. The view which has been 

 selected as a frontispiece to this volume, and apparently taken from 

 some point at no great distance from that chosen by the modern 

 artist, is copied from the large engraving published with the first 

 and original 4to edition, and upon comparing the one with the 

 other it will be at once seen that there can be comparatively very 

 little change, except such as would necessarityoccur by the growth 

 of the timber and other unavoidable natural circumstances. 



" In looking along the village street of Selborne the ' Queen's 

 Arms ' is seen upon the left, the chief inn of the place, where 

 the visitor will be hospitably entertained ; but upon the right is 



