( '52 ) 



There is alfo a circumftance connected 

 with this wood, which is rarely found in 

 thofe woods, which occupy the middle regions 

 of the foreft j and that is a hamlet of thofe 

 little trefpafling cottages fcattered about it, 

 which have already been mentioned*. They 

 commonly ftand detached, and one or other 

 of them meets the eye in various parts, and 

 adds much to the fcene. I have already ex- 

 plained, how far fuch circumftances aiFecl 

 both natural, and artificial landfcape -f-. 



In a few years however, all the beautiful 

 fcenery of Norley-wood will vanim. It's 

 deftruction has long been expected j and was 

 lately determined. In the beginning of the 

 year 1781, a band of wood-cutters- entered 

 it, with orders from the furveyor of the 

 fqreft to cut a hundred of the beft trees, which 

 he had preYiqufly marked^ for the ufe of the 

 navy. Thefe trees were fet apart for building 

 fhips of the firft and fecond rates. The next 

 year another fall of the fame kind of timber 

 was ordered : and in three or four years, when 

 all the noble trees are gone, the refufe will 



* See vol. i. page 226. f Ibid. 



be 



