Page:White - The natural history of Selborne, and the naturalist's calendar, 1879.djvu/404

 ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE 8VO EDITION, PUBLISHED IN 1802, EDITED BY JOHN WHITE, THE BROTHER OF THE AUTHOR.

favourable reception with which the works on natural history of my late respected relation, the Rev. Gilbert White of Selborne, have been honoured by the persons best qualified to judge of their merit, has induced me to present them to the public in a collected and commodious form, free from the encumbrance of any extraneous matter. His largest work, entitled 'The Natural History of Selborne,' has probably been supposed by many to be formed upon a more local and confined plan than it really is. In fact, the greater part of the observations are applicable to all that portion of the island in which he resided, and were indeed made in various places. Almost the only matter absolutely local is the account of the antiquities of the village of Selborne; and this seemed to stand so much apart, that, however well calculated to gratify the lovers of topographical studies, it was thought that its entire omission would be considered no loss to the work, considered as a publication on natural history. Its place is occupied by the 'Naturalists' Calendar, and Miscellaneous Observations,' which appeared in a separate volume since the author's decease, extracted from his papers by Dr. Aitkin. That gentleman has also made some farther selections from the papers, which are now all in my possession; and has undertaken the revision and arrangement of the whole. A very valuable addition to the calendar and observations has been obtained from the kindness of William Markwick, Esq., F.L.S., well known as an accurate observer of nature, whose parallel calendar, kept in the county of Sussex, is given upon the opposite columns.

"The Editor flatters himself that the publication in its present form will prove an acceptable addition to the library of the naturalist; and will in particular, be useful in inspiring young persons, and those who pass their time in retirement, with a taste for the very pleasing branch of knowledge on which it treats.

"J. W.

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