OF BRITISH FORESTS. 735 



surprise ; but the king informed liim that it was the custom 

 of Highlanders to burn those habitations which they de- 

 serted. The Earl's hospitality was estimated at the expense 

 of a thousand pounds daily ; at present equivalent, at least, 

 to three thousand pounds sterling. 



OF BRITISH FORESTS. 



The term forest implies a large extent of wood, which is 

 thus defined by Manwood, in his Forest Laws. " A forest 

 is a certain territory of woody grounds, and fruitful pastures, 

 privileged for wild beasts, and fowls of forest, chase, and 

 warren, to rest and abide there in the safe protection of 

 the king, for his princely delight and pleasure ; which terri- 

 tory of ground so privileged is meered, and bounded by un- 

 removable marks, meeres, and boundaries, either known by 

 matter of record, or else by prescription, and also replen- 

 ished by wild beasts of venery or chase ; and with great 

 covert of vers'" for the succour of the said wild beasts; 

 for the preservation and continuance of which said place, 

 together with the vert and venison, there are certain parti- 

 cular laws, privileges, and ofiicers, belonging only to the 

 same." 



Forests are instituted in the following manner : — " The 

 king sends out his commission, under the great seal of 

 England, directed to certain discreet persons, for the view, 

 perambulation, meeting, and bounding of the place he mind- 

 eth as a forest ; which being returned into the chancery, pro- 

 clamation is made throughout all the shire where the ground 

 lyeth, and none shall hunt or chase any manner of wild 

 beasts in that precinct, without the king's special licence ; 

 after which he appointeth ordinances, laws, and officers, fit 



* F^r^, which in French signifies "green," and signifies everything 

 in the forest which bears green leaves. 



