552 NATURAL HISTORY 



was particularly so in 1770 and 1772) fall in Spain about 

 that time ; and then they linger there till the latter end of 

 the month. 



Surely, my dear Sir, we live in a very eventful time, that 

 must cut-out much work for Historians and Biographers ! 

 but whether all these strange commotions will turn out to 

 the benefit or disadvantage of old England, God only 

 knows ! We have experienced a sad spring, summer, and 

 autumn; and now the fallows are so wet, and the land- 

 springs break forth so frequently, that men cannot sow their 

 wheat in. any comfort. Our barley is much damaged ; and 

 malt will be bad. 



Have you read Mr. Arthur Young's " Travels through 

 France ? " He says, p. 543, when speaking of the French 

 clergy " One did not find among them poachers, or fox- 

 hunters, who having spent the morning in scampering after 

 hounds, dedicate the evening to the bottle, and reel from 

 inebriety to the pulpit/' Now, pray, who is Mr. Young ; 

 is he a man of fortune, or one that writes for a livelihood ? 

 He seems to reside in Suffolk, near Bury S. Edmund ; so 

 probably you can tell me somewhat about him. 



Pray do wood-peckers ever damage and bore your timber- 

 trees ? Not those, I imagine, of your own planting, but 

 only those that are tending to decay. I had a brood this 

 year in my outlet hatched, I suspect, in the bodies of some 

 old willows. My dissertation on the Caprimulgus is almost 

 finished. 



I remain, with all due respect, and esteem, 



Your most obedient and obliged servant, 



GIL. WHITE. 



