The Natural History of Selborne

Snow deep, & drifted thro’ the hedges in curious, & romantic shapes.

Sent Thomas as Pioneer to open the road to Faringdon: but there was little obstruction, except at the gate into Faringodn Hirn.

This evening the frost has lasted 28 days.

Snow covers the ground.  Hares again in the garden.

No hares have frequented the garden since the man shot, & killed one, & wounded an other.

Sowed 48 bushels of peat-ashes on the great meadow, which covered more than half.  31 bush: were bought of my neighbours.

Hard frosts.  Paths thaw.  Fleecy clouds.  Sky muddled.  Halo.

A near neighbour of mine shot at a brace of hares out of his window; & at the same discharge killed one, & wounded another.  So I hope our gardens will not be so much molested.  Much mischief has been done by these animals.

A long-billed curlew has just been shot near the Priory.  We see now & then one in the very long frosts.  Two, I understand, were seen.

The dung & litter freeze under the horses in the stable.  The hares nibble off the buds of the espalier-pear-trees.