70 'AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



already observed the beauty of this estuary when 

 seen from the higher grounds as it enters the sea. 

 The scenes are equally interesting which it affords 

 when the eye pursues it up the stream from its 

 recesses in the forest. One of the best of them 

 opens from the stable-yard of the Angel Inn in 

 Lymington, and the parts adjacent.' 



Returning to our own itinerary and to the 

 forest of to-day which though beautiful in its 

 untouched parts has fallen from the splendour of 

 a hundred years since we must retrace our steps 

 to the wicket gate, through which we had passed 

 to get a better view of the tide-forsaken estuary. 

 From the gate we follow a path which leads us 

 along the bank of the Lymington River, passing 

 the harbour with its shipping. Just beyond we 

 cross, by the ferry, to the opposite, or eastern, 

 side of the Lymington River on our way up- 

 stream towards Boldre, following the road which 

 runs by the riparian marshy tract. On both sides 

 of the valley wooded uplands run down to the 

 river, and the hedgebanks, on either hand, glow 

 with the colours of autumnal leaves and autumnal 

 flowers white bindweed flowers contrasting 



