There is a tranquillity in Gilbert White's life and outlook!
. that has always had its attraction among the fevers of
. zation. Movements and causes left him unconcerned. lie . vegetated in Selborne, like a Chinese sage, with his own village the centre of his world. a large puffball or a bird's
flight the most important subjects of his attention. Iii " Gilbert White : Pioneer, Poet and Stylist (Murray, 15s) Mr.
• Walter Johnson explains away this very notable quality : lie tries to show that when White refers in his diary to the embar4.
kation of soldiers to America he is really being interested in World affairs and high polities. This is surely misleading ; it was plainly a mere natural fact that came under White-4 observation. It is agreeable to wander with Mr. Walter Johnson through White's own writings : he has corrected White's errors, proved his general accuracy, and composed' pleasantly discursive account of his life.
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