80 THE NEW FOREST 



an immense amount of unearthing and the aid of 

 those who can readily translate the language of 

 Norman-French and dog-Latin combined, in which 

 they are written. I have never had leisure for 

 such researches in the course of my life. 



The Stewart records that I have had access 

 to relate more to timber growing and building 

 than to the deer. In 1670, however, we have a 

 record of an order of Charles II for enclosing 

 with pales certain land adjoining New Park "for 

 the preservation of our red deer, newly come 

 out of France." Whether the stock had fallen 

 very low during the time of the Commonwealth 

 (as is very probable), or whether His Majesty 

 merely desired to introduce a cross of fresh blood, 

 we are not told. But in this same year 1670 

 there was drawn up a very interesting census 

 of the New Forest deer. Whether it had any- 

 thing to do with the importation of fresh red 

 deer from France at that particular date or not, 

 is not apparent. 



This return was found at Bolton Hall, Wens- 

 leydale, by a member of the family in possession 

 there, who are the direct descendants of those 

 Dukes of Bolton who for over a hundred years exer- 

 cised so great an influence in New Forest, and 

 took their title from Bolton Castle in Wensley- 

 dale. This paper was found among ancient 



