16 



NATURAL HISTORY 



spring and summer the women weed the corn; and enjoy a 

 second harvest in September by hop-picking. Formerly, 

 in the dead months they availed themselves greatly by 

 spinning wool, for making of barragons, a genteel corded 

 stuff, much in vogue at that time for summer wear ; and 

 chiefly manufactured at Alton, a neighbouring town, by 

 some of the people called Quakers : but from circumstances 

 this trade is at an end. 1 



The inhabitants enjoy a good share of health and lon- 

 gevity ; and the parish swarms with children. 



A Table of the Baptisms, Burials, and Marriages, from January 2, 

 1761, to December 25, 1780, in the Parish of Selborne. 



During this period of twenty years, the births of males exceeded 

 those of females 10. The burials of each sex were equal. And the 

 births exceeded the deaths 140. G. W. 



1 Since the passage above was written, 1 am nappy in oeing able to 

 say that the spinning employment is a little revived, to the no small 

 comfort of the industrious housewife. Gr. W. 



