543 NETLEY ABBEY. [September, 



Edward III., tlie Black Prince his son, and Henry V., wrested 

 tlieir laurels from the proud armies of France, and laid the 

 foundation of that superiority which all subsequent encoimters 

 between the forces of France and England have only confirmed. 

 It will not be forgotten that at the period when this country was 

 threatened with an invasion by the haughty Spaniard, this port 

 furnished a quota of the brave men and gallant ships which effec- 

 tually humbled the Spanish grandees. 



But to the lover of the picturesque, the views along the shore 

 of Southampton Water Avill furnish the greatest treat. On the 

 right-hand the noble estuary stretches away south-eastwardly 

 towards the Isle of Wight, and north-westwardly towards the 

 centre of the New Forest ; for many miles its breadth, even at 

 low- water, is at an average above three miles. On the left bank, 

 viz. that on which the abbey stands, and along which the visitor 

 walks or rides, there is an extensive heathy moor, which occupies 

 all that tract or peninsula which is bounded on three sides by 

 the Itchin, the Southampton Water, and the Test, another small 

 stream, but enlarged into a broad tidal river where it joins the 

 main body of water. 



This table-land is skirted along the waters by more or less 

 steep declivities or hangers, which are fringed with wood, which 

 sometimes descends to the salt water of high tides. 



The opposite shore, about three miles from Southampton, is 

 bounded by the New Forest, as it is called ; and here the 

 scenery appears very beautiful, as the trees approach the very 

 verge of the tide, either fringing the water or dipping into it. 

 The philanthropist and economist will be gratified with the 

 contrast between the Forest in its present condition, and 

 in its probable future. Both will remember that many a fire 

 was quenched for ever; that many human creatures were de- 

 prived of their homes; that many a bold peasant became an 

 outlaw and a felon ; and that all this misery, physical and moral, 

 was occasioned by the selfishness of those who purchased their 

 gratifications at a heavy cost, but not at their own expense. 

 The fearful retribution which overtook the Red King, William 

 Hufus, the Conqueror's son and successor, who paid the penalty 

 of his own and his father's rapacity, will not be forgotten. 



The situation of the abbey-remains is very beautiful ; not grand 

 and imposing, as the site of Tintern Abbey, environed with ma- 



