OF SELBORNE. 
189 
In the feafon of nidification the wildeft birds are comparatively- 
tame. Thus the ring-dove breeds in my fields, though they are 
continually frequented ; and the miffel-thruih, though moft fhy 
and wild in the autumn and winter, builds in my garden clofe 
to a walk where people are paffing all day long. 
Wall-fruit abounds with me this year; but my grapes, that 
ufed to be forward and good, are at prefent backward beyond all 
precedent : and this is not the worft of the ftory ; for the fame 
ungenial weather, the fame black cold folftice, has injured the 
more neceffary fruits of the earth, and difcoloured and blighted 
our wheat. The crop of hops promifes to be very large. 
Frequent returns of deafnefs incommode me fadly, and half 
difqualify me for a naturalifl ; for, when thofe fits are upon me, 
I lofe all the pleafing notices and little intimations arifing from 
rural founds ; and May is to me as fdent and mute with refped 
to the notes of birds, &c. as Augnfi. My eyefight is, thank God, 
quick and good \ but with refpedt to the other fenfe, 1 am, at 
times, difabled : 
" And Wifdom at one entrance quite Ihut out," 
I. E T T E R 
