292 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. [LETT. CX. 
three feet above the surface. The rushing and roaring of the 
hail as it approached was truly tremendous. 
Though the clouds at South Lambeth, near London, were at 
that juncture thin and light, and no storm was in sight, nor 
w^ithin hearing, yet the air was strongly electric ; for the bells of 
an electric machine at that place rang repeatedly, and fierce 
sparks were discharged. 
When I first took the present work in hand I proposed to 
have added qlti Annus Historico-naturalis ; or, The Natural His- 
tory of the Twelve Months of the Year; which would have 
comprised many incidents and occurrences that have not fallen 
in my way to be mentioned in my series of letters; but as 
Mr. Aikin of Warrington has published somewhat of this sort, 
and as the length of my correspondence has sufficiently put 
your patience to the test, I shall here take a respectful leave 
of you and natural history together ; and am, 
With all due deference and regard, 
Your most obliged. 
And most humble Servant, 
Gil. White. 
SelbornEj June 25, 1787. 
