SELBORNIANA 
135 
publisher with the responsibility of the production of these 
pictures. I may now tell Selbornians that, although I had 
Kirnished to the artist all the details which were known respect- 
ing Gilbert White’s personal appearance, and had asked that 
his sketches should be submitted to me, the whole of the 
pictures were finished during my absence abroad, and promptly 
photogravured, so that 1 had no voice in the matter of their 
publication. As specimens of the “ black-and-white ” drawing 
for which Mr. Sullivan is famous these pictures have been 
greatly admired, but that they in no way represent Gilbert 
White can be seen at once by a comparison of the dress of 
the Georgian clergymen depicted in the original edition of 
“ Selborne.” 
Among the articles exhibited were various editions of Gilbert 
White’s book and the White family Bible. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Marble Hill. — The London County Council have resolved 
to exercise their option of purchase with regard to this important 
part of the Richmond Hill view. 
A New Epping Forest. — We have received the following 
from Mr. W. Cole, F.Z.S., the Hon. Secretary of the Essex 
Club : — 
It will be most welcome news to our members and all taking an interest in 
the vitally important work of securing open spaces near London, to hear that 
Mr. E. N. Buxton has been occupied for some months with a scheme for the 
re-afforestation of a large part of Old Hainault Forest, so unhappily destroyed in 
the “dark ages,” circa 1850. One portion is that now called Fox Burrows 
F'arm, of 475 acres, lying about the highest range of the ridge separating the 
Roding and the Thames Valleys. The scheme also embraces Lambourne Forest 
(188 acres), Chigwell Manor and Common (68 acres), and an intervening tract of 
arable land of 52 acres ; the whole being roughly a square of nearly 800 acres ! 
It is also proposed to acquire Grange Hill Forest, of 70 acres, which is detached 
from the main portion, but which is a charming piece of the old woodlands. Mr. 
Buxton has had to conduct five separate negotiations to secure the agreements for 
sale of these lands and manorial claims. The cost will be about ;^20,ooo for 
the Lambourne and Hainault lands (including cost of “ laying down ”) and 
;^7,ooo for the Grange Hill Forest. 
The scheme has aroused great enthusiasm and it is anticipated that the locali- 
ties will largely contribute. Mr. Buxton will ask the great City Corporations 
and the Essex County Council to bear the main cost, but much is anticipated 
from private munificence and the several local bodies. We are glad to say that 
even at the time of writing the financial outlook is very promising. 
Should Mr. Buxton’s efforts prove successful, the re-afforesting of Hainault 
will rank as the greatest scheme of “ open-spacing ” (with the exception of Epping 
Forest) ever carried out near London ; it indeed partakes of the character of a 
national commemoration of the Coronation year. Much of the land is 300 feet 
above O.D., and affords commanding and beautiful views. The possibilities from 
the naturalist’s point of view are almost infinite, and the gradual upgrowth of 
a “ reserve” within 12 miles of London will present a fascinating field for study. 
