662 
NATURAL HISTORY 
was particularly so in 1770 and 1772) fall in Spain about 
that time ; and then they linger there till the latter end of 
the month. 
Surely, my dear Sir, we live in a very eventful time, that 
must cut-out much work for Historians and Biographers ! 
but whether all these strange commotions will turn out to 
the benefit or disadvantage of old England, God only 
knows ! We have experienced a sad spring, summer, and 
autumn ; and now the fallows are so wet, and the land- 
springs break forth so frequently, that men cannot sow their 
wheat in any comfort. Our barley is much damaged ; and 
malt will be bad. 
Have you read Mr. Arthur Young^s " Travels through 
France ? He says, p. 543, when speaking of the French 
clergy — One did not find among them poachers, or fox- 
hunters, who having spent the morning in scampering after 
hounds, dedicate the evening to the bottle, and reel from 
inebriety to the pulpit.^' Now, pray, who is Mr. Young ; 
is he a man of fortune, or one that writes for a livelihood ? 
He seems to reside in Suffolk, near Bury S. Edmund ; so 
probably you can tell me somewhat about him. 
Pray do wood-peckers ever damage and bore your timber- 
trees ? 'Not those, I imagine, of your own planting, but 
only those that are tending to decay. I had a brood this 
year in my outlet hatched, I suspect, in the bodies of some 
old willows. My dissertation on the Caprimulgus is almost 
finished. 
I remain, with all due respect, and esteem. 
Your most obedient and obliged servant, 
Gil. White. 
