THE ZooLocist— May, 1875. 4447 
Unpublished Letter of the Rev. Gilbert White. 
Selborne, April 3, 1875. 
Dear Sir, 
In reading the original letters of Gilbert White to 
Pennant, which form so large a portion of the ‘ Natural History 
of Selborne, I have met with a considerable number of passages 
which have not been intended for publication, and were omitted 
from the copy sent to the press. Thinking that this early inti- 
mation of a proposed zoological journal (the earliest that I am 
acquainted with) might be interesting to you and to some of 
your readers, I have transcribed it. It forms the first portion 
of the twenty-fifth letter in the book. I have found several 
passages which I shall publish in my forthcoming edition of 
Gilbert White’s book; but I thought that this one would not 
be out of place in the most popular periodical devoted to a 
similar object. 
I remain, 
Yours very truly, 
The Editor of the ‘ Zoologist.’ THomas BELL. 
(Copy). GILBERT WHITE to PENNANT. 
‘‘Selborne, Sept. 1, 1769. 
“Dear Sir, 
“In a former letter, of May 9th, you mention a 
thought of a periodical publication that shall receive the various 
pieces of Natural History that otherwise might perish. Not 
being conversant in such undertakings, I am little of a judge 
whether such a pamphlet would be likely to take: and am fearful 
that the very occasion of your magazine may be the cause of its 
not succeeding: for amidst the din and clamour of party rage, 
the still small voice of philosophy will, I fear, be little attended 
to. However, if you think such a publication expedient, you 
will, no doubt, get considerable assistance from your friends; 
and I shall be ready to advance my mite; but then I shall 
expect you to be very charitable in your allowances, and to grant 
that my mite, in one respect, is equal to larger contributions, as 
it is all my stock of knowledge.” 
