A LAWLESS OFFICIAL.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") STE,-*Will you allow me to challenge your view that the democracy do not care for beautiful things P I should have said that they are very open to appeals from this side ; indeed, feeling as strongly as I do about the strict limitation which should be put to the use of public money, I should be inclined to say almost too open. On this very question of public money —although I naturally care much for preserving the New Forest as it is—I always refuse to assert that the nation is right in keeping this great pleasure-ground in its own hands ; only I plead strongly that as long as it remains a national property, it should be treated in a manner worthy of a very beautiful thing that recalls past phases of our English life, and that its old timber should not be sacrificed, either because those who are in office are endowed in too prodigal a fashion, or because they like to carry out expensive whims of their own. May I explain that the yews were cut in old days, not by our present Deputy-Surveyor ? His crime is cutting large quantities of oak in the old (King William DI.) woods, which are, unfortunately, within his legal powers, and cutting some trees—a considerable number, but I do not yet know how many—in the oldest woods, which are clearly outside his powers. In fact, in doing it he simply defies Parliament. May I thank you for your sympathy in the matter, and add that I am glad to send papers about our Old Woods Protection Society—the subscription of which is one shilling a year—to all persons who write to me ?--I am, Sir, &c.,
AIIBERON HERBERT.
Old House, Berry Wood, Ringwood, April 30th.
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