34 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



still on foot; but tlieir numbers are greatly re- 

 duced, and the charm of quiet is beginning to 

 settle down upon previously frequented roads. 

 The evenings, it is true, are ' closing in ; ' but 

 the days are bright, as it always is in true 

 autumn weather, the air though crisp and fresh 

 is still genial, the sun shines gloriously, and 

 there is, for the pedestrian, a sense of exhilaration, 

 which, in its especial character, is peculiar to 

 this delightful season. 



It is at such . a season of genuine autumn 

 weather that we form the plan of a pedestrian 

 tour around the New Forest. We determine to 

 proceed by rail from London to Brockenhurst, 

 and to walk thence to Boldre ; to return to our 

 point of departure at Brockenhurst; to explore 

 the Brockenhurst lanes ; and then to make the 

 entire circuit of the beautiful woodlands, by way 

 of Burley, Kingwood, Fordingbridge, Bramshaw, 

 Stoney Cross, and Lyndhurst, returning, in the 

 direction opposite to that from which we had set 

 out, to Brockenhurst. 



Perhaps it would be difficult in any part of 

 these islands to find a route more likely to pro- 



