Cobbett's Hampshire, 1830

	Old Hampshire Mapped

	Cobbett's Hampshire Transcription (93)
Beaulieu Marchwood New Forest mill woods	previous From the former station of the Templars, from real Beaulieu of the New Forest, we came back to the village of Beaulieu, and there crossed the water to come on towards Southampton. Here we passed close along under the old abbey-walls, a great part of which are still standing. There is a mill here which appears to be turned by the fresh water, but the fresh water falls, here, into the salt water, as at the village of Botley. We did not stop to go about the ruins of the abbey; for you seldom make much out by minute inquiry. It is the political history of these places; or, at least, their connection with political events, that is interesting. Just about the banks of this little river, there are some woods and coppices, and some corn-land; but, at the distance of half a mile from the water-side, we came out again upon the intolerable heath, and went on for seven or eight miles over that heath, from the village of Beaulieu to that of Marchwood. Having a list of trees and inclosed lands away to our right all the way along, which list of trees from the south-west side of that arm of the sea which goes from Calshot castle to Redbridge, passing by Southampton, which lies on the north-east side. Never was a more barren tract of land than these seven or eight miles. We had come seven miles across the forest in another direction in the morning; so that a poorer spot than this New Forest, there is not in all England; nor, I believe, in the whole world. It is more barren and miserable than Bagshot heath.
New Forest woods oak ship Royal Navy	There are less fertile spots in it, in proportion to the extent of each. Still, it is so large, it is of such great extent, being, if moulded into a circle, not so little, I believe, as 60 or 70 miles in circumference, that it must contain some good spots of land, and, if properly and honestly managed, those spots must produce a prodigious quantity of timber. ... In the year 1608, a survey of the timber, in the New Forest, was made, when there were loads of oak timber fit for the navy, three hundred and fifteen thousand four hundred and seventy-seven. Mark that, reader. Another survey was taken in the year 1783; that is to say, in the glorious Jubilee reign. And, when there were, in the same New Forest, loads of oak timber fit for the navy, twenty thousand eight hundred and thirty ... next

	Cobbett's Hampshire 1830, contents
	General index (to Old Hampshire Mapped)
	Old Hampshire Mapped

Text HMCMS:B1999.483