IRatuve IRotes: 
Zhc Selbovnc Society's ^ll>aoa3ine 
No. 38. FEBRUARY, 1893. Vol. IV. 
THE CENTENARY OF GILBERT WHITE. 
^^ILBERT WHITE died June 26th, 1793, so that 
I the present year is the hundredth anniversary of his 
j passing hence. To those who have learned to know 
Gilbert White, to ramble with him in woodland 
glade, in forest and fen, to watch Nature’s many shifting scenes 
and hear Nature’s many voices, the present has appeared 
as a fitting occasion to do honour to his name. To know 
Gilbert White is to love him ; and we who love him would, as 
devout votaries, pilgrimage to the scenes of his mature life, and 
grow more familiar with the actual physical environment of the 
house of one to whom it was given to make for an obscure 
hamlet an undying name. 
Selborne, then, is the goal, and it is proposed, since June 
26th in this year falls upon a Monday — a rather inconvenient 
day for many of us — to adopt Midsummer Day, June 24th, a 
Saturday, as the occasion for our visit to Selborne. It is 
hoped that a very large contingent of Selbornians will keep the 
day free, and will join in an expedition to White’s Selborne. 
A provisional Committee has been formed and sanctioned by 
the Council of the Society, with power to add to its numbers. 
We hope that at least one member of every branch will join it, 
and whip up recruits for this great occasion. It would be 
premature to formulate any definite program, but it may be 
said that there is little doubt that a most delightful day in a 
most charming part of Hampshire will be spent, and the more 
who can come the greater will be the success. We shall 
arrange for special tickets, trains, carriages, and so on, when 
we can estimate the number of persons who will come, and we 
hope every member will write at as early a date as possible 
to our Secretary, Mr. Western, and tell him whether they can 
take part in the expedition. It is proposed to make the actual 
expenses as light as possible, and this will be best achieved by 
obtaining the ])romise of a large number of members to attend. 
