( 2 ) 



With thefe fcenes I propofe, in the foU 

 lowing book, to illuftrate the obfervations, 

 which have been made in the two preceding 

 books 'y and fhall in feveral excurfions, through 

 the different parts of this woody country, 

 endeavour to point out it's peculiar beauties. 

 But tlio I fliall chiefly confider it in a p'c- 

 turefque light y I fliall vary my fubjed: by 

 giving a general idea of the ancient hif- 

 tory, and prefent ftate, of this celebrated 

 foreft. 



This tradt of wood-land was originally made 

 a foreil: by William I in the year 1079, about 

 thirteen years after the battle of Hailings ; 

 and is indeed the only foreil in England, 

 whofe oriiiin can be traced. It took the 

 denomination of New-forefh from it's being 

 an addition to the many forefls, which the 

 crown already pofleiTed^ and which had 

 been appropriated in the earlieft feudal times. 

 The original name of this trad of country 

 was Ytene. 



As feveral forefts were more commodioufly 

 fituated for royal diverfion than New-foreft, 

 the hiftorian hath been fometimes led to 



conceive, 



