SEPTEMBER. 157 



be marred by heaps of brick and mortar, called villas, 

 into which the wind finds its way through the walls, and 

 the inhabitants of which choice structures may think 

 themselves well off if they escape death by the contrac- 

 tion of chronic rheumatism. But to proceed; Hamp- 

 stead Heath is a large sandy elevated plain, on which 

 many patches of furze, fern, broom, brambles, &c, lux- 

 uriate ; it is dotted over also by many patches of small 

 trees, besides good hedge-rows, in which trees of larger 

 growth are found, including some noble old oaks, elms 

 and alders. Keeping the main road from the village 

 of Hampstead (which may be reached by omnibus) 

 across the heath in the direction of Highgate, we shall 

 see a little off the road, on the heath, on our left, a 

 group of tall firs (these firs are said to have been a 

 favourite resort of Steele and Addison) ; and a little far- 

 ther on, on our left, we shall come to the " Spaniards" 

 tavern, to reach which, in the days of the " Spectator" 

 was a pilgrimage, and to have a game of bowls on its 

 level green the height of enjoyment. On the right of 

 the road is situated " Caen Wood," the seat of the 

 Earl of Mansfield, whose manly battles with the lord 

 of the manor to prevent the enclosure of the heath de- 

 serve all praise ; while on our left, a little further along 

 the road, and separated from it by a field, we shall see 

 a large and fine wood : this is the spot to which I pur- 

 pose conducting my readers — this is the " Bishop's 

 Wood," or the " Big Wood," Hampstead, as it is more 

 generally called. 



In order to gain access to the wood we must turn 

 down the lane (the first turning on the left from " The 

 Spaniards," and nearly opposite the entrance gates of 



