viii 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 



charms of rural scenery, he early fixed his residence in his 

 native village, where he spent the greater part of his life in 

 literary occupations, and especially in the study of nature. This 

 he followed with a patient assiduity, and a mind ever open to 

 the lessons of piety and benevolence, which such a study is so 

 well calculated to afford. Though several occasions offered of 

 settling upon a college living, he could never persuade himself to 

 quit the beloved spot, which was indeed a peculiarly happy 

 situation for an observer. He was much esteemed by a select 

 society of intelligent and worthy friends, to whom he paid 

 occasional visits. Thus his days passed tranquil and serene, 

 with scarcely any other vicissitudes than those of the seasons, 

 till they closed at a mature age on June 26, 1793." And thus 

 he was born, lived, and died, in his native parish and village, 

 respected by those around him, contented in his own mind, and 

 endeavouring to fulfil his various duties as a clergyman and 

 member of society. A grave-stone, as unobtrusive as his life, 

 marks upon the turf of the church-yard the place of his 

 interment. While his relatives have endeavoured to erect a 

 monument less exposed to decay, by placing in the interior of 

 the chancel a simple marble tablet, bearing the arms of the 

 family, and inscribed as follows. 



In the Fifth Grave from this wall are interred the Remains of 

 THE REV. GILBERT WHITE, M.A. 

 Fifty Years Fellow of Oriel College in Oxford, 



And Historian of this his native Parish. 

 He was the eldest son of JOHN WHITE, Esquire, Barrister-at-Law, 



And ANNE his Wife, only child of 



THOMAS HOLT, Rector of Streatham in Surrey ; 



Which said JOHN WHITE was the only child of GILBERT WHITE, 



Formerly Vicar of this Parish. 

 He was kind and heneficent to his Relations, 



Benevolent to the Poor, 



And deservedly esteemed hy all his Friends and Neighbours. 

 He was born July 18, 1"20, O.S. 



And died June 20, 1793. 



Nee hono quicquam mali evenire potest 



nee vivo, nee mortuo. 



