Chapter II

New Forest -- Retains more of its Forest Character than any other
-- Boundaries now nearly the same as in Charles II.’s time --
Places in the Forest -- Its Features as you pass through it -- as
compared with other Forests -- not the Ruin of a Forest, but a
Forest in its Prime -- the Cause of this -- Picturesque Style of
the Cottages and small Enclosures in its Neighbourhood -- a Day’s
Stroll through it by the Author -- Feelings inspired by its
Solitude and Air of Antiquity -- Forest Farms, Swine, Cattle and
their Bells -- Spot where Rufus was killed, near Stony-Cross --
the Descendants of Purkess, who conveyed the body of Rufus to
Winchester -- Tradition of the Cart-wheel -- Gilpin’s Parsonage
and School -- his Opinion of the Origin of the New Forest Horses
-- Wild Population of the Forest -- Adventure of a Physician with
them -- Forest Walks and Lodges -- Stirrup of Rufus preserved at
Lyndhurst -- the Forest Court a singular Scene, as described by
Mr. Stewart Rose 366

CHAPTER III.

Sherwood Forest -- In a very different State to New Forest --
Celebrated as the Scene of Robin Hood’s Exploits -- the Norman
Kings, especially John, fond of Hunting there -- Formerly of great
Extent; containing Nottingham, Mansfield, Annesley, Newstead, etc.
-- Its Constitution and Affairs -- Curious Fact regarding the
Byrons and Chaworths -- Present Extent of the Forest -- Bilhaghe
an unique and impressive Remains of a Portion of it -- Birkland a
beautiful Tract of Birch Woodland -- Its Fairyland Character --
Concluding Remarks 380

CHAPTER IV.

Forest Enclosures -- Injuries to the Arts, Manufactures, and the
Intellectual Taste of the Public to be apprehended from such
Enclosures -- Logic of Lawyers and Land-Surveyors -- Open Lands
needed for Public Enjoyment -- that Open Lands are Unproductive,
shewn to be a very false Notion -- the Unchristian Principle on
which Enclosures have been conducted -- Enclosures inimical to our
National Interests -- Numbers who seek the Refreshment of Summer
Visits to our Forests, Coasts, Moors, and Mountains -- the
Utilitarian Enclosures of certain Lands recommended 388

CHAPTER V.

Wild English Cattle -- Places where they still exist -- Bewick’s
Description of them -- the Author’s Visit to Chillingham Park in
1836, to see the great Herd -- Lord Tankerville’s Account of them 393

PART VI.

HABITS, AMUSEMENTS, AND CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

CHAPTER I.

Cottage Life -- Wide Space between the Life of the Hall and that
of the Cottage -- the Routine of the Labourer’s Life -- a Blow
aimed at his Domestic Security -- a Highland Hut -- a Night passed
in one -- Abodes of Poverty called Rookeries -- the Beauty of
English Cottages in some Parts of England -- a Thought on seeing
such by Professor Wilson -- Delightfulness of some of the Cottages
of the Wealthy and Refined 402

CHAPTER II.

Popular Festivals and Festivities -- Sketch of their History -- of
Catholic Origin -- The great Change in the Public Taste regarding
them traced to the Reformation -- Subsequent co-operating Causes
pointed out -- the Intellectual Character of the Popular Taste
still Progressive 414