312 
MEMOIR OF 
Chatham died. When he was sixty-three, 1783, America was 
separated from England. 
Gilbert White died on June 26tli, 1793. The great John 
Hunter, the anatomist, died also in 1793 — on October 16th, aged 
sixty-four, or nine years younger than Gilbert White. 
Gilbert White's first letter with a date is Letter X., August 4th, 
1767. The preface to the first edition is dated January 1st, 
1788. Gilbert White, therefore, must have been writing his 
letters over twenty years. 
White's " History of Selborne " is of itself a most charming 
book. If the reader wishes thoroughly to appreciate the great 
merits of the illustrious author, he must not fail to pay a visit 
to Selborne itself^ I have inspected Selborne and its neighbour- 
hood. The first impression of Selborne, especially when driving 
in from Alton, is that it is a very pretty place, a perfect type 
of English woodland scenery and country life. The visitor 
should carry his " White " in his hand and read the great Gilbert's 
graphic wTitings on the very spots described ; he should also 
take a good ordnance map with him, in order to get a general 
idea of the neighbouring country. 
Under circumstances as above Selborne and its vicinity ^ 
become most interesting. I do not think the village, a sketch 
of which is given by Mr. Delamotte, p. 12, can have been 
much altered since White's time, except that some of the shops 
now have plate-glass fronts, which would astonish Gilbert White 
considerably if he could see them. 
During my visit to Selborne I was most hospitably re- 
ceived by Professor Bell, who now resides, and has resided 
for the last thirty-three years, in the house where Gilbert 
White lived ; of this an admirable drawing is given by Mr, 
Delamotte at page 9. On entering the house, I found myself 
in an ante-hall with a very low roof and white -washed ceiling. 
Mr. Bell ushered me into Gilbert White's study. This room 
in a moment recalled to my mind long dormant memories 
of my early youth. I was born in Christ Church College, Oxford, 
December 17th, 1826 ; my Father was then Canon of Christ 
Church; his uncle, the Eev. John Buckland, Fellow of Corpus 
Christi College, then held the living of Warborough near 
1 Selborne can be reached from London by going from Waterloo Station 
to Alton, about two hours' journey, and there taking a fly. Selborne is about 
five miles from Alton. There is another route from Liss Station on the 
South Western line. Mr. Blunden of the Queen's Arms, Selborne, has com- 
fortable apartments, and can send his fly to either station. Mr. Blunden is 
able and always willing to point out the various localities, &c., mentioned by 
White. 
