xii 
INTllODUCTOEY OBSERVATIONS. 
describe everything simply and truthfally, — record only as facts 
such as are known and can be proved to be such, — and never 
forget that one hand only fashioned all the objects which it 
gives them pleasure and interest to observe, and that the same 
power regulates their continuance or change. 
No pains have been spared by the publishers of the present 
edition to illustrate it fully. An artist, Mr. Pearson, was sent 
to Selborne to procure authentic sketches of the village and 
surrounding country, so that these may be depended upon as 
faithful representations, and not mere copies from previous 
engravings. These have also been accompanied by some notes 
describing the present condition of Selborne, which cannot fail 
to be interesting. 
" Selborne h.3^^s probably suffered as little from change as any 
village that has obtained a similar celebrity. It has been 
so often described in former editions of White's fascinating and 
instructive volume, that any farther account of its present 
aspect might appear unnecessary, yet in some few particulars it 
may he interesting to note the result of a recei|t visit. The first 
view of Selborne obtained by the visitor as he approaches the 
village from the New Elton road is peculiarly striking. The 
church and vicarage with a few of the houses lie embosomed 
among trees in the valley ; beyond these a small wooded park 
belonging to the residence of "White extends to the " Hanger," 
or hanging wood, which is a striking feature in this locality. 
This wood, composed of luxuriant beech-trees, rises on the side 
of a steep hill to a great height, appearing to overhang the 
village and giving to the landscape a particular and striking 
beauty. Nore Hill, seen upon the left, is also a richly wooded 
eminence, divided from the Hanger by an undulating slope," 
The above is descriptive of the view placed at the commence- 
ment of our Introductory remarks. The view which has been 
selected as a frontispiece to this volume, and apparently taken from 
some point at no great distance from that chosen by the modern 
artist, is copied from the large engraving published with the first 
and original 4to edition, and upon comparing the one with the 
other it will be at once seen that there can be comparatively very 
little change, except such as would necessarily'occur by the growth 
of the timber and other unavoidable natural circumstances. 
" In looking along the village street of Selborne the ^ Queen's 
Arms' is seen upon the left, the chief inn of the place, where 
the visitor will be hospitably entertained ; but upon the right is 
