THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. ; If 
The ‘village of Selborne, and large hamlet of Oakhanger, 
with the single farms, and many scattered houses along the 
verge of the forest, contain upwards of six hundred and seventy 
inhabitants. 
We abound with poor; many of whom are sober and in- 
dustrious, and live comfortably in good stone or brick cottages, 
which are glazed, and have chambers above stairs; mud build- 
ings we have none. Besides the employment from husbandry, 
the men work in hop-gardens, of which we have many; and 
fell and bark timber. In the spring and summer the women 
weed the corn; and enjoy a second harvest in September by 
hop-picking. Formerly, in the dead months they availed 
themselves greatly by spinning wool, for making of barragons, 
a genteel corded stuff, much in vogue at that time for summer 
wear; and chiefly manufactured at Alton, a neighboring 
town, by some of the people called Quakers ; but from circum- 
stances this trade is at an end.’ The inhabitants enjoy a good 
share of health and longevity; and the parish swarms with 
children. 
LETTER VI. 
Should I omit to describe with some exactness the forest of 
Wolmer, of which three-fifths perhaps lie in this parish, my 
account of Selborne would be very imperfect, as it is a district 
abounding with many curious productions, both animal and 
vegetable, and has often afforded me much entertainment both 
as a sportsman and as a naturalist. 
The royal forest of Wolmer is a tract of land of about seven 
miles in length, by two and a half in breadth, running nearly 
4 Since the passage above was written, I am happy in being able to say 
that the spinning employment is a little revived, to the no small comfort of 
the industrious housewife. — W. 
