THE FOREST OF DEAN.

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on the 2nd of July. The injuries it received on these occasions hastened its decay, and we believe that no relic of it is now left.

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is one of the most celebrated Forests in England. It was formerly reckoned to be not less than twenty miles in length, and half as many in breadth; but since Lord Gage's estate has been added to it, it has become considerably larger. The Severn and the Wye run through a portion of it. Large plantations have been made in this Forest under the skilful management of the resi dent Surveyor of the Crown, and promise in future years to afford a large supply of Navy timber, which has always been in great request from this Forest.

Perhaps the most antient, the most picturesque, as well as the most interesting trees belonging to the Crown, are to be met with in what was once Windsor Forest. It has been divided and subdivided, alas, and what was once the finest apanage to a Royal Palace, is now in the hands of private individuals, with the exception of that portion adjoining the great Park allotted to the Crown. The hundred miles of green drives have to a certain extent disappeared. Many of the old pollards have been cut down and disposed of as firewood, and the whole face of the country has been changed. Some of the old pollards, however, still remain, and there are also some fine specimens of them near Cranbourne Lodge, as well as some noble beech trees near the Royal Lodge.

Windsor Forest was formerly the property of Queen Emma, and afterwards distinguished by William the Conqueror, who built lodges in it, and established forest law. He used commonly, after the chase, to sleep at an Abbey in the neighbourhood. The scenery, in many parts of the park, is beautiful, but chiefly from the disposition of the trees, which form its greatest ornament, with the exception of the views of the Castle from some of the higher grounds. The Culloden Duke of Cumberland, made, as Mr. Gilpin says, magnificent improvements in the Park. He introduced great herds of red and fallow deer, and encouraged a breed of wild Turkies, and it is to be regretted that the latter are extinct. The Park could hardly have had a more beautiful decoration. Birds are among the most picturesque objects, for both their forms and plumage make them so; yet they are generally so diminutive, that, beautiful as they are, they produce little effect. But the Turkey is both a large bird, and, being gregarious, forms groups, which become objects of consequence. shape also is picturesque, as well as its actions. colour, too, especially if it be of the bright copper, varying in the sun-beam, is more beautiful than the plumage of any other bird, not excepting the Peacock. As the Turkey was reclaimed from the unbounded woods of America, where it is still indigenous, its habits continue wilder than those of any domestic fowl. It strays widely for its food-it flies well

Its

Its

considering its apparent inactivity, and it perches and roosts on trees.

In the reigns of George I, and II, Richmond Park could boast of a flock of two thousand wild Turkies; but being situated near London, there were constant fights between the keepers and poachers, which occasioned the destruction of the birds. It must have been a most interesting sight to have seen them in their wild flights.

Sussex has always been remarkable as one of the finest timber counties in England, and it formerly abounded with Forests, there being not fewer than seven, St. Leonard's, Word, Ashdown, Waterdown, Dallington, Arundel and Charlton, which last Forest was settled on the Dukes of Richmond. The Sussex Oak is particularly hard and lasting and fine in the grain, and I have been assured that if land remains fallow or uncultivated for two years, it will be covered with young oaks.

Selwood Forest, near Frome in Somersetshire, will always be famous in British history, while the remembrance of Alfred the Great continues. Here he retired before his enemies, the Danes, only to attack them with more advantage. Seeing the time ripe for action, he emerged from his retreat, sent his emissaries around, and called his friends together in the forest of Selwood, which sheltered and concealed his numbers. Here arranging his followers, he burst from the Forest, like a torrent, upon the Danes. They gave way at

once, and suffered so terrible a defeat, that they never again molested his country.

I might enumerate various other Forests, many of which were disforested and changed into private property by an act of Charles I, which was wrested. from him in consequence of his having revived the vexations of forest-law at the beginning of his difficulties. Woolmer, Waltham, Dean, Whittlewood, Salcey, Whichwood, the New Forest, Bore, the Holt, and Delamere Forests are, I believe, the only ones which are reputed to have preserved any of their rights. The New Forest, however, has perhaps preserved its ancient consequence more than any of the others. Next to Dean Forest, it is of larger extent than any other, and has had many plantations made in it. Owing to the facilities afforded to poachers and timber stealers, the population in and around the forest is in a very demoralized state, and it is to be regretted that some steps are not taken to remove the deer from it; for, as long as they exist, deerstealing will be carried on. Mr. Gilpin was assured by a notorious deer-stealer that in five years he had killed on an average not fewer than a hundred bucks a year. He had a ready market for his venison, for it is an old forest adage-"non est inquirendum unde venit venison."

The immediate neighbourhood of Windsor Great Park is rich in varied woodland Scenery. There are not only fine thriving Oaks, throwing out their gigantic

BEECHES AT WINDSOR.

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arms, but sturdy pollards without end, which seem to have set time, and seasons, and decay at defiance. They are gnarled and knotted, twisted and distorted, yet at the same time vigorous and sound at heart; putting one in mind of a weather beaten old sailor whose limbs are firm and his body healthy, although his hair is grey and his face seamed with wrinkles. The Beeches, too, may be seen of all ages and sizes, picturesque and beautiful in their decay, but while in full vigour and dotted with their sparkling leaves, they are the richest ornament of the wood. The Holly loves to nestle under the shelter of their graceful pendulous branches, affording a contrast to the smooth white trunk, on which here and there some pretty lichen may be seen, as if placed there on purpose by the hand of Nature to decorate her favourite tree.

I love a Beech at all seasons of the year. In the early spring it seems the peculiar resort of the Throstle, "that attic songster;" and from the topmost branches we hear

that sprightly wildness in its notes,

Which clear and vigorous warbles from the Beech;

the soft green leaves burst forth, covered with a silvery down, and nothing then can be more delicate than their hue, or more refreshing to the eye.

In the summer its foliage assumes another character, but still a beautiful one. Its leaves are indeed green, but not of that delicate green we see in the spring. A slight tinge of brown may be perceived