SHORT NOTICES OF BOOKS, 
197 
SELBORNIANA. 
Janies Russell Lowell on Selborne.— The following extract from 
Lord Selborne’s speech at Selborne on June 24th is of interest on account of the 
lines by Mr. Russell Lowell, which, we believe, have not hitherto been published : 
“ The late James Russell Lowell, one of the most eminent literary men of his 
country, said in the beginning of his book. My Study W’indo'tjs, that White had 
had a great deal of influence upon his love for and observation of nature, 
and added : — ‘ One of the most delightful books in my father’s library was 
White’s Natural History of Selborne. For me it has rather gained in charm with 
years. I used to read it without knowing the great pleasure I found in it ; but as 
I grow older I begin to detect some of the simple expedients of this natural 
magic. Open the book where you will it takes you out of doors. In simplicity 
of taste and natural refinement it reminds one of Walton, and in tenderness of 
Cowper The book has also the delightfulness of absolute leisure. 
Mr. White seems never to have had any harder work to do than to study the 
habits of his feathered fellow creatures, and watch his peaches ripening ; his 
volumes are a journal of Adam in Paradise. It is positive rest only to look at 
that garden.’ He (Lord Selborne) could not do better than conclude this 
reference to so distinguished an author by reading some lines written by him for 
his daughter, Lady Sophia Palmer, in 1S80, when he was his guest — ■ 
“ To visit Selborne had been sweet 
No matter what the rest might be ; 
But some good genius led my feet 
Thither in such tit company. 
As trebled all its charms for me. 
“ With them to seek his headstone grey. 
The lover true to birds and trees. 
Added strange sunshine to the day. 
My eye a scene familiar sees. 
And Home ! is whispered by the breeze. 
“ My English blood its right reclaims ; 
In vain the sea its barrier rears ; 
Our pride is fed by England’s fame. 
Ours is her glorious length of years ; 
Ours, too, her triumphs and her tears.” 
“ Timothy.” — It may be of interest to many of your leaders to know some- 
thing of the whereabouts of such “mortal remains ” as are lelt of “Timothy,” 
Gilbert White’s favourite tortoise. His shell, which has something very charac- 
teristic about it, came into the possession of Mrs. Christopher, Gilbert White’s 
great-niece, and was by her presented, some forty years ago, to the British 
Museum. It is now among the tortoises in the Natural History Museum at 
South Kensington, distinguislied only by the name of the donor. The authorities 
have, however, promised to see whether they cannot affix some mark to call 
attention to its history. It is to be found, at present in the tortoise and crocodile 
room, case 38, bottom back row, and is the fourth from the end of the case. 
The stand bears the inscription “ Testudo ibera, Mrs. Christopher.” Four or five 
of the scales are wanting, otherwise “ Timothy ” is in good condition. The shell 
is about ten inches in length, dark in colour and well marked. Its present position 
is a very inconvenient one, but if lovers of Selborne make a point of asking to see 
liim, the courteous authorities will doubtless give “ Timothy ” a more honourable 
place. 
Lensdon Vicarage, Ashburton. Gilbert White. 
Gilbert White’s House (pp. 155,178).— On the occasion of the centenary 
celebration, by the kindness of P'. \V. Read, Esq., Mr. Frost, of Market .Street, 
Alton, was allowed to have a stand for the sale of such photographs on the lawn 
of “The Wakes.” They were priced from 6d. to 6s. No doubt he would seixl 
a selection on approval. 
K. A. W. 
