The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne

The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne

For a book concerning itself with the natural history of a very small district in England in the eighteenth century to remain in print since its first publication (1789) is astounding. Once I became aware of The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, by Gilbert White I wondered what made this book so special. Why would publishers keep it continuously in print for over two hundred years? Demand and profits obviously; but why is there such a demand today for a book of observations about birds and such from so long ago?

 

I purchased a copy and read it. The book exceeded my expectations. I’ll admit, it’s certainly not a book for everyone, in fact, at the very least, one must be a naturalist in heart, mind and spirit - with a bent toward ornithology. The book is written, or at least presented, as a series of letters to a fellow naturalist, describing his observations of the local (Selborne) flora and fauna I found it mesmerizing, and exciting.

 

Mr. White was a person I think I could have shared a pint of Porter with and been at ease. Hard to find such people these days.

 

I made this note in February of 2017, hoping to find time to elaborate on my response/reaction to this book. Some things take time.

Jig-Saw Puzzle Update

A Gustave Caillebotte Jig-Saw Puzzle Update

Not to sound like Santiago in Hemingway’s classic story but we’ve been seven (thankfully not 84 - yet) days chipping away at this monster of a jig-saw puzzle. We have exhausted the few areas that display distinct colours or form and are left with most of the puzzle pieces just as they tumbled from the box. Most are in subtle shades of gray or black and present no obvious, discernible pattern. And, to add to the difficulty, many of the pieces look alike, even to the placement and shape of the die-cut edges. I finally decided to separate the pieces into groups based on total, overall colour. I started with the black pieces, (yet even here there were at least three different shades of ‘black’). Then I separated the blacks into sub-groups, ie those in which all four sides were ‘innies’, then those where all four sides were ‘outies’, if you get what I mean. Then those with three ‘outies and one ‘innie, then ’three ‘innies’ and one ‘outie’. etc., etc. After this was accomplished I subdivided these groups into  ‘fatties’ and ‘thinies’, as some pieces are decidely taller than they are wide. Then I drank a bottle of Cabernet and went to bed for a couple of days.

Well, this approach seems to be working, though the time involved to place each piece might best be measured with an hourglass.

And thank goodness we have a table where the puzzle and its pieces can remain undisturbed while we plan our next move.

Working on this puzzle has hopefully refreshed my eyes regarding my perception of colour, and may yet make me a more reliable observer identifying the colours in a birds plumage, or the true colour of a passing cloud, or a swath of fabric viewed from a distance, etc. I tell myself, if nothing else comes of this, I am re-training my eyes to really see.

In the meantime, to quote from one of my favorite authors, Samuel Beckett:

“You must go on, I can’t go on. I’ll go on.” 

The Unnamable

or

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Worstward Ho!