7111 
In White's time the Bridgewater Treatises were represented 
by the writings of Dr. Derham, author of " Physico-Theology," ^ 
the fifth edition of which was published in 1720, the year 
White was born. 
I have discovered that White had not only deeply studied 
Derham and also Eay,^ but in many cases he illustrates Derham's 
arguments by his own ol^servations. 
White was a true student of all created things — lynx-eyed, 
quick to observe accurately, and patient to interpret the mean- 
ing of facts brought under his notice. The same facts that 
White saw and recorded are still going on around us at the 
present time. The birds come and go at the Scime dates as did 
their ancestors a century ago. The rabbits, hedgehogs, rats, 
bats, snakes, mice, &c., still keep up their old, old customs 
unaltered and unchanged. White is the teacher who has shown 
four generations how and what to observe — in fact, he taught 
them the " Art of Observation." For the above reason, tliere- 
fore, White's " Selborne " has held its own as a standard book 
for a hundred years, and will probably be as fresh as evt-r a 
hundred years hence. 
We live in a beautiful and happy world ; the waters teem 
with life, the earth is populated by creatures innumerable ; some 
live on the mountains, some on the plains, some in the forest, 
some in the desert ; to observe the habits of all living things 
1 ^' Physico-Theology ; or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of 
God — from His Works of Creation ; being the Substance of Sixteen Sermons 
preached in St. Mary-le-Bow Church, London, at the Honourable Mr. Boyle's 
Lectures, in the years 1711 and 1712. With Large Notes and many Curious 
Observations." By W. Derham, Canon of Windsor, Kector of Upminster in 
Essex, and F.K.S. I have four editions of this work, 1720, 1727, 1732, 
and 1768. This book is well worthy of a modern edition. 
^ " The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation ; in Two 
Pfrts," and "Discourses on Physico-Theology, 1713." By John Ray, late 
Fellow of the Royal Society, 1743. 
