CHAPTER II 



THE CROWN AND THE COMMONERS 



IT is curious how little is known of the New 

 Forest except among those who either reside in 

 its neighbourhood or else visit it regularly. 

 People often say, "Oh! I know the New Forest 

 well I motored all through it the other day." 

 That is to say, they dashed to Bournemouth or 

 Ringwood and back along one of the few main 

 roads, and barely saw even the roadside as it 

 flashed past. There are only two ways really to 

 see the New Forest and realise what it is like. 

 One is to go on foot with a pair of extra stout 

 boots and a walking-stick, but this takes a long 

 time, and is a fatiguing process. The other 

 the only way fit for a gentleman is from the 

 back of a pleasant, well-mannered horse, with 

 good shoulders and a trained eye for ruts and 

 rabbit holes. With such a conveyance, the most 

 delightful summer's day imaginable can be spent 

 in rambling about the beautiful heaths and 

 woodland scenes of all kinds that make up this 

 beautiful Forest. 



