OF SELBORNE 187 



In the season of nidification the wildest birds are 

 comparatively tame. Thus the ring-dove breeds in my 

 fields, though they are continually frequented ; and the 

 missel-thrush, though most shy and wild in the autumn 

 and winter, builds in my garden close to a walk where 

 people are passing all day long. 



Wall-fruit abounds with me this year : but my grapes, 

 that used to be forward and good, are at present backward 

 beyond all precedent : and this is not the worst of the 

 story ; for the same ungenial weather, the same black cold 

 solstice, has injured the more necessary fruits of the earth, 

 and discoloured and blighted our wheat. The crop of 

 hops promises to be very large. 



Frequent returns of deafness incommode me sadly, and 

 half disqualify me for a naturalist ; for, when those fits 

 are upon me, I lose all the pleasing notices and little 

 intimations arising from rural sounds : and May is to me 

 as silent and mute with respect to the notes of birds, etc., 

 as August. My eyesight is, thank God, quick and good ; 

 but with respect to the other sense, I am, at times, 

 disabled : 



" And Wisdom it one entrance quile sliut out." 



LETTER XXIII 



Selborne, June 8, 1775. 

 Dear Sir, *. 



On September the 21st, 1741, being then on a visit, and 

 intent on field-diversions, I rose before daybreak : when 

 I came into the enclosures, I found the stubbles and 

 clover-grounds matted all over with a thick coat of cob- 

 web, in the meshes of which a copious and heavy dew 



