GILBERT WHITE. 
323 
from February 10, 1775, when the last hook ended January 
28, 1775 ; when I was seized with a fit of the gout." 
The following interesting entry records Gilbert White's dining 
with him. " Sunday, December 6th, — very fine; Selborne, G. 
dined here." " Sunday, March 25tli, — Chiff-chaff', curlew.'" Mr. 
Maclachlan also showed me a very ancient register of 29th 
Henry YIII. He also pointed out to me, by means of an old 
Army List of March 15th, 1786, who the Honourable Daines 
Barrington was. Under the heading Gibraltar^ are the following 
entries : — " Governor-General G. Augustus Elliot, K.B.," (after- 
wards made Lord Heath field, for defending Gibraltar, 1787). 
" Honourable Daines Barrington, Com. of the Stores, &c., 
£547 10s. salary." From Mr. Maclachlan I learnt that the 
late Bishop Wilberforce had been a frequent visitor at Newton 
Valence. The grounds of the parsonage adjoin the down, or 
sheep walk, which Gilbert White, Letter I., describes as " a 
pleasing park- like spot, of about one mile by half that space, 
jutting out on the verge of the hill-country," &c. Immediately 
in front, with only a valley between, and entirely included 
within the parish of Newton Valence, rises Nore hill — to quote 
White again, a noble chalk promontory, remarkable for sending 
two streanis into two different seas." From the top of that hill, 
the Bishop was wont to say, he could discern the observatory 
which he had erected on the crest of the down, above Lavington 
House. The Bishop, as is well known, was an intense admirer 
of beautiful scenery, and no mean naturalist — as shown by the 
volume of essays from the Quarterly Beview, republished since his 
death, and by the beautiful collection of Sussex birds, which he 
had for the most part made himself, and which forms one of the 
adornments of Lavington House. It will be remembered how 
touchingly, at the inquest upon the Bishop's honoured remains. 
Lord Granville related the points of their last conversation — 
especially the Bishop's animation while observing the scenery 
through which they passed on that beautiful July afternoon, and 
while drawing notice to the adaptation of the trees and shrubs 
to their several soils. 
I have heard that just a moment before the Bishop fell from 
his horse he said to Lord Granville, " Hark ! do you hear that 
nightingale singing so beautifully ? " 
In the belfry of the church of Newton Valence there is a 
beautiful tablet with the following inscription : — 
^ It is a remarkable coincidence that Gilbert Whitens brother should hare 
been miUtary chaplain at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is mentioned several times 
by White. 
