With thefe fcenes I propofe, in the fol- 

 lowing book, to illuftrate the obfervations, 

 which have been made in the two preceding 

 books j and fhall in feveral excurfions, through 

 the different parts of this woody country, 

 endeavour to point out it's peculiar beauties. 

 But tho I fhall chiefly confider it in a pic- 

 turefque light, I fhall vary my fubject by 

 giving a general idea of the ancient hif- 

 tory, and prefent ftate, of this celebrated 

 foreft. 



This tract of wood-land was originally made 

 a forefl by William I. in the year 1079, about 

 thirteen years after the battle of Haftings ; 

 and is indeed the only foreft in England, 

 whofe origin can be traced. It took the 

 denomination of New-forefl from it's being 

 an addition to the many forefts, which the 

 crown already pofferTed; and which had 

 been appropriated in the earlieft feudal times. 

 The original name of this tract of country 

 was Ytene. 



As feveral forefts were more commodioufly 

 fituated for royal diverfion than New-foreft, 

 the hiftorian hath been fometimes led to 



conceive, 



