( i6 ) 



to a point towards the north ; contained withiii 

 a circumference of about fifty miles. It's 

 limits on every lide are very accurately knov^^n, 

 and defcribed : but in a w^ork of this kind, 

 it will anfv/er no end, either of amufement, 



or of utility, to walk it's bounds. So far 



indeed am I from intending to be accurate in 

 this matter, that I propofe in the following 

 defcriptive view of New-foreft, to take very 

 great liberties with it's boundaries ; and to 

 confider the forefl in it's ancient, and moft 

 extended Jiatey limited by the bay of South- 

 ampton on the eaft; by the river Avon on 

 the weft ; and by the fea on the fouth. 

 Without taking this liberty, I ftiould lofe 

 the defcription of fome of the moft beautiful 

 fcenery, that formerly belonged to it. 



But before I enter on the piBurefque part 

 of my work, it remains, as I have already 

 given a fhort account of the ancient Jlate of 

 New-foreft, to add a fhort account alfo of 

 it's prefent Jlate-, it's government, demeifns, 

 and inhabitants. 



SECT. 



