104 THE FORESTS OF ENGLAND. 



hood, long enabled the Norman kings to retain the island 

 as a wild hunting-ground. Originally a deer forest, it was 

 only in the reign of Henry III. that the island was dis- 

 afforested, and thenceforth considered only as a ' warren of 

 conies/ The hunting rights remained to the crown for 

 many centuries, King James the First having exercised 

 them in 1615. Throughout this long period the pre- 

 servation of game necessitated the discouraging of roads 

 and fences, and the enforcing of stringent regulations, 

 interfering sadly with commerce and industry. Strangers 

 were thus excluded; new ideas filtered in but slowly; arid 

 the indigenous inhabitants came to think and act very 

 much as if the whole world were enclosed within the limits 

 of the Royal Warren. Wherever one wanders in Purbeck, 

 the effects of this ancient seclusion are obvious in the self- 

 contained small townlets, with their institutions complete 

 as those of populous cities ; in the remains of mere hamlets 

 which we know by old records to have had their fairs and 

 market-places all to themselves in times gone by ; in the 

 numerous little manors, each with its ancient house in a 

 local phase of the architectural style prevalent at the 

 period when it was built ; and in many other directions, to 

 be discovered only when one knows the country well. So, 

 although there may be no one thing in Purbeck of com- 

 manding interest to all, except the unique ruins of Corfe 

 Castle, still this kingdom in little is a microcosm, to 

 appreciate the full quaint flavour of which as a whole, it 

 is necessary and pleasant to make oneself acquainted." 



Of many of the spots, beautiful etchings produced by 

 the process designated " Typographic Etching," are given. 

 The prettiest and quaintest corners, are often altogether 

 destitute of carriage roads, and some can only be con- 

 veniently visited by water; but detailing a series of 

 rambles by foot or otherwise, illustrated abundantly by 

 plates and cuts of sketches made by a companion of his 

 tour, the characteristics of the locality are by, Mr Robin- 

 son Hamilton, graphically depicted. 



