Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
by Gilbert White
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Gilbert White (1720-1793) published his Natural History and Antiquities as one volume in 1789. Both works consist of a series of letters written by White to the barrister Daines Barrington (1727-1800) and the zoologist Thomas Pennant (1726-1798). The letters in Natural History, White's best-known work, contain detailed information about his observations of local flora, fauna and wildlife. White was a pioneer of the study of birds and animals in their natural habitats, rather than as show more specimens removed from their environments. His methods of observation enabled him to identify and record many previously unknown species. (He was the first, for example, to distinguish the chiffchaff from the warbler by differences in song.) The letters in Antiquities are concerned with the topographical, social and ancient history of Selborne. They include details of important Roman coin finds and are an indispensable source for the history of local churches and buildings. show lessTags
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THE FACSIMILIE EDITION OF THE FIRST EDITON OF 1789. A FINE COPY, QUARTO, RECENTLY REBOUND BY SOTHERAN IN HALF LEATHER OVER ORANGE CLOTH, TEG, RAISED BANDS, MARBLED ENDPAPERS. ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS. BOOKPLATE ON FEP. A VERY HANDSOME COPY
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... a more delightful, or more original work than Mr. White's History of Selborne has seldom been publised. The natural history, which is the first part, and consists of 305 pages, is written in letters to Mr. Pennant and Mr. Daines Barrington. The antiquities also in letters, with the appendix, fill up the remainder of the volume, which contains in the whole 468 pages. Natural History has show more evidently been the author's principal study, and of that, ornithology is as evidently his favourite. The book is not a compilation from former publications; but the result of many years attentive observations to nature itself, which are told not only with the precision of a philosopher, but with that happy selection of circumstances, which mark the poet. Throughout therefore, not only the understanding is informed, but the imagination touched. And if the criterion of excellent, that Dr. Johnson, I think, somewhhere in his lives of the poets, proposes, be true, (as it certainly is,) Mr. White's book is excellent; for I beheld the end of it with the pensive regret with which a traveller looks upon the setting sun. ... show less
added by Cynfelyn
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831 works; 53 members
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- Canonical title
- Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
- Original title
- Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
- Original publication date
- 1788-12 (1st ed., tho the t/p says 1789) (1st ed., tho the t/p says 1789)
- Important places
- Selborne, Hampshire, England, UK
- First words
- The author of the following letters take the liberty, with all proper deference, of laying before the public his idea of parochial history, which, he thinks, ought to consist of natural productions and occurrences as well as ... (show all)antiquities.
Advertisement, 1 Jan. 1788.
No one who has had the good fortune to be introduced to, or has already discovered, the work of Gilbert White can fail to be impressed by his exceptional gift of observation.
Introduction, Ian Niall, Folio Society ... (show all)ed.
The parish of Selborne lies in the extremely eastern corner of the county of Hampshire, bordering on the county of Sussex; is about fifty miles south-west of London, in latitude 51, and near midway between the towns of Alton ... (show all)and Petersfield.
Letter I. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The motives that impel him to undertake these rambles seem to be of the amorous kind; his fancy then becomes intent on sexual attachments, which transport him beyond his usual gravity, and induce him to forget for a time his ordinary solemn deportment.
- Original language
- English
- Disambiguation notice
- "The Antiquities of Selborne" by Gilbert White is NOT the same work as "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne", nor "The Natural History of Selborne". The first and third are contained within the second. Please ... (show all)do not combine these three different works.
"The Natural History of Selborne" by Gilbert White is NOT the same work as "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne". The first is contained within the second. Please do not combine these two works. NB: Th... (show all)e 1880 Macmillan edition of "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne" has a cloth cover with gilt titling of "The Natural History of Selborne" but it is NOT "The Natural History of Selborne".
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- Members
- 162
- Popularity
- 201,489
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.63)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 17
