18 The New Forest : its History and its Scenery. 



be found, but nowhere that quietness so typical of English 

 scenery, yet mixed with wildness, nowhere so much combined 

 in one. 



I say, too, this, strange as it may doubtless appear, that 

 Government, whenever it fells any timber, should spare some 

 of the finest trees for the sake of their beauty, and for the 

 delight they will give to future generations. Cut down, and sawn 

 into planks, they are worth but so many pounds. Standing, 

 their value is inappreciable. We have Government Schools of 

 Design, and Government Picture Galleries, but they are useless 

 without Nature to assist the student. Government, by keeping 

 here some few old trees, will do more to foster true Art than 

 all the grants of Parliament. The old thorns of Bratley, the 

 beeches of Mark Ash, and the yews of Sloden, will teach more 

 than all the schools and galleries in the world. As we have laws 

 to preserve our partridges and pheasants, surely we might have 

 some to protect our trees and our landscapes. 



Lastly, from its very nature, the New Forest is ever beautiful, 

 at every season of the year, even in the depth of winter. The 

 colouring of summer is not more rich. Then the great masses 

 of holly glisten with their brightest green ; the purple light 

 gathers round the bare oaks, and the yews stand out in their 

 shrouds of black. Then the first budding branch of furze 

 sparkles with gold, and the distant hill-side glows with the 

 red layers of beech-leaves. And if a snow-storm passes up 

 from the sea, then every bough is suddenly covered with a silver 

 filigree of whitest moss. 



This joyful tyranny of beauty is ever present, at all times and 

 hours, changeful in form, but the same in essence. Year after 

 year, day after day, it appears. 



I know, however, it is impossible to make people see this 



18 



