without a review of its origin in the past. I have therefore devoted my first volume to sketches of the operation of the old forest laws, as far as we know from the materials which have come down to us. The forest laws of Canute are the earliest on our records: and the operation of those of the Norman kings ceased from the first session of the Long Parliament. The tales of this volume therefore lie between these dates.

Some illustration will be given of the state of things in the next marked period, between the Revolution of 1688 and the change of the law in 1831. But the two remaining volumes will be chiefly occupied with an exposition of the working of the system at the present time, in regard to the interests of all the parties related to it.

I am deeply indebted to many, both friends and strangers, who have supplied me with the materials necessary to my object, from the oldest lore obtainable to the Evidence of the Parliamentary Committee of last session. This aid has enabled me to prosecute and present my work with the

courage justified by the fact that my tales are all, though bearing the form of fiction, essentially true. What invention there is is merely in order to the more life-like and faithful exposition of facts. I trust there will be found in the whole no important representation of any effect of the system which may not be substantiated from the history of the past or present time.

AMBLESIDE,

Nov. 6th, 1845.

Η. Μ.