his life in literary occupations, and especially in the study of Nature. This he followed with patient assiduity, and a mind ever open to the lessons of piety and benevolence, which such a study is so well calculated to afford. Though several occasions offered of settling upon a college living, he could never persuade himself to quit the beloved spot, which was indeed a peculiarly happy situation for an observer. Thus his days passed tranquil and serene, with scarcely any other vicissitudes than those of the seasons, till they closed at a mature age, on June 26, 1793. The above short sketch was prefixed to the edition of Mr White's work published after his death, by his friend Dr Aiken of Warrington. It is abundantly meagre, but except the many pleasing allusions to himself throughout his letters, it contains all that the public have ever known of our author's personal history. An enthusiastic admirer of his, who lately visited the village of Selborne, thus sums up his account:-" Of Gilbert White himself, I could collect few personal reminiscences; and all that an old dame, who had nursed several of the family, could tell me of the philosophical old bachelor was, that he was a still, quiet body,' and that there wasn't a bit of harm in him, I'll assure ye, sir: there was'nt indeed.'” 1 1 Mr White is principally known to the world by his Natural History of Selborne, which, although purporting to be but the description of the natural objects of a single parish, is, nevertheless, a book of general interest, embracing, in its details, varied and extensive inquiries into the phenomena of Nature. It originated in a series of letters, written to Thomas Pennant, Esq. and the Honourable Daines Barrington,-gentlemen of high literary and scientific acquirements in their day,— the former, the well-known author of the British Zoology, History of Quadrupeds, Tour in Scotland, and many other esteemed works. The Natural History of Selborne was first published in quarto, in 1789, along with what Mr White considered as essential in parochial history, namely, its Antiquities. This last, however, although of sufficient local interest, can offer few attractions to the general reader. The originality and instructive details of his chief work soon commanded general attention, and attracted even continental notice; and, we believe, it was translated into more than one foreign language. We know that a translation of it was printed in Germany, so early as 1792, and published at Berlin in that year. This work is written in an unconnected form, without any attempt at scientific arrangement, with which, however, Mr White shews himself well acquainted; and the minute exactness of his facts- the good taste displayed in their selection—and the elegance and liveliness with which they are described,―render this one of the most amusing books of the kind ever published, and it has gained for the author a high and just reputation. Mr White's long series of observations were skilfully and attentively repeated, and have tended greatly to enlarge and correct our knowledge of those departments of natural history of which he has treated. He may be esteemed a worthy successor to Ray and Derham; while his remarks, being almost exclusively original, are, in some measure, even better entitled to our attention than the writings of these celebrated naturalists. It has been thought proper to insert in the present edition the author's Poems, partly on account of their intrinsic merit, which is not inconsiderable, but principally because they are upon local subjects, and therefore naturally connected with the present work. They are also valuable and appropriate, as illustrating the author's strong attachment to the study of Nature. EDINBURGH, January 25, 1833. POEMS. THE INVITATION TO SELBORNE. SEE, Selborne spreads her boldest beauties round Oft on some evening, sunny, soft, and still, By Fancy plann'd; as once th' inventive maid * A kind of arbour on the side of a hill. +A grotesque building, contrived by a young gentleman, who used on occasion to appear in the character of a hermit. Romantic spot! from whence in prospect lies Each to his task; all different ways retire: Adown the vale, in lone, sequester'd nook, To the high Temple† would my stranger go The mountain-brow commands the woods below: In Jewry first this order found a name, When madding Croisades set the world in flame; When western climes, urged on by pope and priest, Pour'd forth their millions o'er the deluged East: Luxurious knights, ill-suited to defy To mortal fight Turcéstan chivalry. Nor be the parsonage by the Muse forgot— The ruins of a Priory, founded by Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester. The remains of a Preceptory of the Knights Templars; at least it was a farm dependent upon some preceptory of that order. I find it was a preceptory, called the Preceptory of Suddington; now called Southington. |