in all its curves and
indentings, does not comprise less than thirty miles.

The village stands in a sheltered spot, secured by the Hanger from the
strong westerly winds. The air is soft, but rather moist from the
effluvia of so many trees; yet perfectly healthy and free from agues.

The quantity of rain that falls on it is very considerable, as may be
supposed in so woody and mountainous a district. As my experience of
measuring the water is but of short date, I am not qualified to give the
mean quantity. I only know that

Inch. Hund.
From May 1, 1779, to 28 37!
the end of the year,
there fell
Jan. 1, 1780, to 27 32
Jan. 1, 1781
Jan. 1, 1781, to 30 71
Jan. 1, 1782
Jan. 1, 1782, to 50 26!
Jan. 1, 1783
Jan. 1, 1783, to 33 71
Jan. 1, 1784
Jan. 1, 1784, to 33 80
Jan. 1, 1785
Jan. 1, 1785, to 31 55
Jan. 1, 1786
Jan. 1, 1786, to 39 57
Jan. 1, 1787

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 industrious, and live
comfortably in good stone or brick cottages, which are glazed, and have
chambers above stairs; mud buildings 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
neighbouring town, by some of the people called Quakers; but from
circumstances 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 muc