210 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



where he spent part of his youth, and close to Clare- 

 mont, where he died, after wearing a crown between 

 two revolutions. The whole modern history of England 

 and France agrees in this, that here is always storm, 

 there always peace. 



Hampshire comes next to Sussex, continuing along the 

 south coast. People arriving in England from France, 

 and disembarking at Southampton, make acquaintance 

 first with Hampshire, as those landing at Brighton do 

 with Sussex, and with Kent when they land at Dover. 

 This county is considered to be one of the most agree- 

 able as a residence, on account of its mild and healthy 

 climate. The Isle of Wight, for which the wealthier 

 class of the English have such a predilection, and where 

 the Queen has her favourite residence, belongs to Hamp- 

 shire. 



Generally speaking, the soil is bad, especially towards 

 the north. There was formerly an immense moor here, 

 known as Bagshot Heath the Sologne of England. 

 Several portions of it have been cleared, and others 

 planted with pine trees; but for the most part it re- 

 mains in its original state, and what has been cultivated 

 has not paid the expense. Moors again make their ap- 

 pearance towards the south, where there is a large forest, 

 called the New Forest, made by William the Conqueror, 

 who, it is said, destroyed towns and villages, and inter- 

 dicted population over an immense space, that he might 

 have it for a hunting-ground. It is this open and 

 desert space which was then called, and still retains, the 

 name of Forest, from the old French word fors, without, 

 derived from the Latin. The ground, left in a state of 

 nature, gradually became covered with brushwood, and 

 then with large trees ; this is the origin of most of the 

 existing forests. The New Forest covers sixty-five thou- 



