CHAPTER X 



Wolmer Forest Charm of contrast and novelty in scenery Aspect 

 of Wolmer Heath and pine Colour of water and soil An 

 old woman's recollections Story of the " Selborne mob " 

 Past and present times compared Hollywater Clump Age 

 of trees Bird life in the forest Teal in their breeding haunts 

 Boys in the forest Story of the horn-blower. 



THE first part of the story of that Selborne mound 

 in a strange place was heard at Wolmer Forest, over 

 five years ago, during iny first prolonged visit to that 

 spot. I have often been there since, and have stayed 

 many days, but a first impression of a place, as of a 

 face, is always the best, the brightest, the truest, and I 

 wish to describe Wolmer as I saw it then. 



It struck me on that visit that the pleasure we 

 have in visible nature depends in a measure on con- 

 trast and novelty. Never is moist verdure so refresh- 

 ing and delightful to the eye as when we come to it 

 from brown heaths and grey barren downs and up- 

 lands. So, too, the greenness of the green earth 

 sharpens our pleasure in all stony and waste places ; 

 trim flower gardens show us the beauty of thorns and 

 briars, and make us in love with desolation. As in 

 light and shade, wet and dry, tempest and calm, so 

 the peculiar attractions of each scene and aspect of 

 nature are best " illustrated by their contraries." 



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