PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.
The idea of writing a Guide to the Forest oc-
curred to me when I observed how small a
percentage of our summer visitors ever venture
far from the point at which they are set down by
train or vehicle. This is hardly a desirable state
of things; and as steam merry-go-rounds and
"five shies for a penny" can be enjoyed with equal
facility in London, it seems a pity not to encourage,
as far as lies in one's power, a more enterprising
spirit It appears that this reluctance to enter
the thicket springs, not from indifference to the
attractions of the Forest, but solely from a dread,
not unnatural to those unaccustomed to the country,
of losing the way ; and I hope that clear directions
how to find, and follow, the most beautiful and in-
teresting routes, will be appreciated. I trust I
am not egotistical in thinking that, as I have lived
all my life in one or other of the Forest parishes,
and for many years have been in the constant
habit of exploring its inner recesses, the public
cannot have a better adviser than myself in this
matter.
I am aware that some excellent cheap Guide-