PEEFACE. 



It is too mucli to expect that these pages will 

 altogether escape criticism ; my object will have 

 been gained, however, if I have succeeded in collect- 

 ing and placing intelligibly before the reader 

 such noticeable facts as are interesting matters 

 of local history. Should it appear that there has 

 been imported into the work too many details 

 touching the earlier features of the country, the little 

 that is generally known on the subject, the close 

 connection of cause and effect, and the influences the 

 old forests may have had in perpetuating a love of 

 sport among some members of a family whose name 

 appears to have been derived from pursuits connected 

 therewith, must be my excuse. Dr. Arnold once 

 remarked upon the close connection existing between 

 nature and mankind, and how each in turn is affected 

 by the other, whilst a living writer, and a deeper 



