PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



The idea of writing a Guide to the Forest oc- 

 curred to me when I observed how small a 

 percentage of our summer visitors ever venture 

 far from the point at which they are set down by 

 train or vehicle. This is hardly a desirable state 

 of things; and as steam merry-go-rounds and 

 "five shies for a penny" can be enjoyed with equal 

 facility in London, it seems a pity not to encourage, 

 as far as lies in one's power, a more enterprising 

 spirit. It appears that this reluctance to enter 

 the thicket springs, not from indifference to the 

 attractions of the Forest, but solely from a dread, 

 not unnatural to those unaccustomed to the country, 

 of losing the way ; and I hope that clear directions 

 how to find, and follow, the most beautiful and in- 

 teresting routes, will be appreciated. I trust I 

 am not egotistical in thinking that, as I have lived 

 all my life in one or other of the Forest parishes, 

 and for many years have been in the constant 

 habit of exploring its inner recesses, the public 

 cannot have a better adviser than myself in this 

 matter. 



I am aware that some excellent cheap Guide- 



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