SELBORNIANA 
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dumb, brings solace, comfort, assurance that in due time the 
woods will again resound with the voices of all the feathered 
choir. 
Where the forest ends, and the wide heath comes into sight, 
and the stream broadens, and goes gurgling and sparkling 
through banks of heather and moss, long-tailed tits fly one 
by one across the path, like little winged barbs, their many 
voices chattering farewells. From distant trees the coo of a 
wood-pigeon murmurs a benediction. 
And so, across the wide heath to Brockenhurst, with the 
gorse popping, rabbits scuttling out of the path, and cheery 
little meadow-pipits bustling away with much simulated alarm. 
Brockenhurst lies basking in the afternoon heat, whilst 
swallows and martins, as numerous and as busy as though 
summer had just begun, circle through the air. Under some 
eaves, a pair of martins still tend a family of clamorous and 
belated youngsters. In the thatch of the cottage roofs many 
holes bear witness to the swifts who have nested there and gone. 
Close to the railway-station a robin sings, and with his 
gentle music in my ears I step into the train. 
J. Rudge Harding. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Bad Taste. 
“ Why do certain people persistently disregard the proprieties when visiting 
private grounds thrown open to the public by their owners? Picnicking will not 
account for it, since the Continental workman taking his ai fresco meal with 
his family at holiday time will leave no unseemly litter behind. At home, 
unfortunately, people who rank themselves much above the working classes 
in the social scale are by no means so careful. Evidence of this is to be 
seen in the rubbish strewn about the parks, open spaces, and public gardens. 
This is distinctly blameworthy when the offenders have a right of entry either 
as members of the general public or by payment. But it becomes far more 
reprehensible when it occurs in places to which they are admitted by the 
courtesy of the owners. It is an ungracious return for benefits freely bestowed, 
and likely to lead to the withdrawal of privileges highly appreciated by all 
right-thinking persons, who form the great majority of the visitors to private 
grounds generously thrown open to them. It would be a great loss to many 
Nature-lovers were Mr. Egerton compelled to refuse them access to St. George’s 
Hill, near Weybridge, yet it seems as if he might be driven to take this step, 
since some people will not keep to the footpaths, and, not content with littering 
the place with paper, commit actual damage. It is to be hoped that his warn- 
ing as to the consequences that will follow persistence in such conduct will be 
effectual. Last year a party of beanfeasters pulled up a number of young trees 
in the grounds of Reigate Priory, as they said, “ to make walking-sticks” ; and 
this wanton damage caused Lady Henry Somerset to close the place. Similar 
conduct constrained Lord Sheffield to take a like step at Uckfield some years ago. 
Other instances might be adduced, but these are sufficient to show that the 
owners were justified in their action. The pity of it is that the innocent suffer 
with the guilty. It is difficult to suggest a remedy for such conduct as that of 
which Mr. Egerton justly complains. Education in the true sense of the term 
would of course supply one. Unfortunately, at the present day manners are too 
often dmitted from the curriculum.” — Fie'd, April 25, iqoS. 
