OF SELBORNE. 47 



were winter-cut, viz. in February and 

 March, before the bark would run. In 

 old times The Holt was estimated to be 

 eighteen miles, computed measure, from 

 water-carriage, viz. from the town of 

 Chertsey, on the Thames ; but now it is 

 not half that distance, since the Wey 

 is made navigable up to the town of 

 Godalming in the county of Surrey. 



LETTER X. 



TO THE SAME. 



- August 4, 1767. 



It has been my misfortune never to have 

 had any neighbours whose studies have 

 led them towards the pursuit of natural 

 knowledge ; so that, for want of a com- 

 panion to quicken my industry and 

 sharpen my attention, I have made but 

 slender progress in a kind of information 

 to which I have been attached from my 

 childhood. 



