8 The New Forest : its Histori/ and its Scenerj/. 



England — and I am glad to think so, — it gives, more than any 

 other place, a far greater range of subject, in sea, and moor, and 

 valley ; because too, the traveller can here go where he pleases, 

 without any of those lets and hindrances which take away so 

 much pleasure ; and, lastly, because here can best be seen 

 Nature's crown of glory— her woods. 



And, first, for a few words of general bearing upon this 

 point. I do not think we ever estimate the woods highly 

 enough, ever know their real worth, until we find some favourite 

 retreat levelled to the ground, and then feel the void and irre- 

 parable blankness which is left. Consider, too, the purposes to 

 which Nature turns her woods, either softening the horrors of the 

 precipice, or adorning spaces which else would be utterly without 

 interest, or adding beauty to beauty. Consider, further, how 

 she beguiles us when we are in them, leading us forward, each 

 little rise aj^pearing a hill, because we cannot see its full extent ; 

 how, too, the paths close behind us, shutting us out with their 

 silent doorways from all noise and turmoil, whilst the soft green 

 light fills every dim recess, and deepens each pillared aisle, the 

 floor paved with the golden mosaic of the sunlight. 



Consider not only their beauty, but their use, breaking, for 

 the plants, the fall of winter showers, and storing for them, 

 against summer's drought, their wealth of springs and streams — 

 giving to the cattle shade from the heat, and shelter from the 

 storm. This for the plants and beasts of the field, — but for 

 man, binding together the sandy shore, carrying off the fog 

 and miasma from the marsh, raising the strongest bulwark 

 against the sea, and truest shield against the pestilence. 



For all these things is it that the woods have been, since the 

 beginning of the world, the haunt of the flowers, the home of 

 the birds, and the temple of man. The haunt of the flowers, 



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