The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-15 00:00:00

THE ROYAL FORESTS.

We promised our readers, on a recent occasion,
some details respecting the actual condition, ma-
nagement, and produce of the Royal Forests. The
principal domains of this class are eleven in number
—four of which, including the New Forest, lie, for-
tunately, contiguous to the public dockyards in the
county of Southampton; three are situated in North
arnptonshire, one in Gloucestershire, one in Notting-
hamshire one in Oxfordshire, and one in Essex.
In two of these—viz. Rockingham and Sherwood
forests—the rights and interest of the Crown have,
with the sanction of Parliament, been decisively
alienated ; in some others the respective in-
terest of claimants have been completely defined
and separated; but in the New Forest, and one
or two more, these conflicting rights remain sill
without any satisfactory regulation. Besides the
woods above mentioned, there are also the Royal
Forest of Windsor, with which most of our readers
will be acquainted, Parkhurst Forest in the Isle of
Wight, and Delamere Forest in the county of Ches-
ter. The aggregate extent of all these domains is not
exactly stated, but it must considerably exceed
100,000 acres. The rights of the Crown, however,
over these lands are not, as we have said, absolute,
and in some cases a material limitation is placed upon
the number of acres which may at one time
he enclosed for plantations. We take the
New Forest as the most conspicuous and
important specimen of the class. This forest
contains about 66,000 acres of land, hut
though the title of forest is given to the whole,
there are no fewer than 45,000 acres on which no
trees are growing, so that the actual timber land is less
than 20,000 acres. Of these, 7,200 have bean planted
since 1808, and 1,200 are now thrown open ; that is
to say, as we presume, 1,200 acres of plantations out
of the 7,200 have arrived at such maturity as to re-
quire no further inclosure nor tending. Indeed, of the
whole 7,200 an experienced surveyor reports, that
they " demand no further expenditure, but should
yield a considerable annual income independent of
the accumulating value." When we come to figures,
however, we find that the "income" of the matured
plantations for the three years, ending 1847.8, was
only some 8,0001., while the "expenditure on planta-
tions generally," was upwards of 17,000/, although
the inclosures effected during this period extended
only to 850 acres. The cost of planting an acre is
set down at about ten guineas, so that the following
statement has been given, though not yet adopted
by the committee, as representing the balance of the
account:—

Expenditure in three years ... ... £17,256 15 2
Deduct for planting 850 acres, at 101.
103. per acre ... ... ... ... 8,925 0 0

Remains for management of plantations 8,332 0 0
Receipts from ditto 8,388 0 0

Surplus income in three years £56 0 0
It appears by Mr. Clutton's evidence that the 7,200
acres only, in their existing state, should produce an
average rent of 10s. per acre, which for three
years would be 10,8001., so that the difference be-
tween the actual surplus income and the surplus in-
come fairly due, even according to this limited esti-
mate, would on the three years be no less than
10,745/. This, our readers will admit, is a highly
unsatisfactory conclusion ; and although it is true
that the difficulty of making a calculation is very
great, yet such a result far exceeds the mar-
gin which might be left for errors inci-
dent to an estimate of this kind, and is
strangely inconsistent with what is represented as
possible under different management. The total
value of the area of the New Forest, exclusive of the
timber, has been calculated at amounts varying from
less than a quarter of a million sterling to upwards of
a million and a quarter—a discrepancy which is of
itself enough to show the extreme uncertainty of

estimates in these matters. Still, we gather from the
able and unprejudiced testimony of Messrs. Clutton
that the general quality of the soil is not only good,
but is admirably adapted to the growth of that
timber which is most valuable in this country—
namely, oak , indeed, there is a concurrence of evi-
dence to the effect that at least 30,000 or 35,000 acres
of the forest are as well calculated for growing
oak as any land in the whole kingdom. When,
therefore, we learn from the same authorities, that
" a rental of timber land under good management
should be as large and as sure, after a certain period,
as the rental from a like portion of cultivated land,"
we are warranted in regretting that the New Forest,
in the 750th year of its existence, should not have
been brought to pay its own expenses. Yet, as far as
recent inclosures go, the highest encomiums are
passed by the several witnesses on the hedging, ditch-
ing, planting, and general management ; and planta-
tions of oak timber are still recommended as the most
promising method of cultivating the land. The deer
are loudly condemned as a serious source of damage
and no source of gain ; but some readers may, per-
haps, be interested in learning that the fern which
forms so becoming an undergrowth in these woods is
decidedly favourable to the growth and stature of the
oak. We have not left ourselves much space for par
ticularising the cost and produce of the smaller
forests. Wychwood Forest, in Oxfordshire, is per-
haps as striking a specimen of management as any.
In this case the accounts are not embarrassed by any
charges for inclosing and planting, so that we can see
our way a little more clearly. The rights of the
Crown, it appears, comprise, inter alia, a title to
certain drifts of underwood, the value of which royal
privilege is determinable by the following figures :
Receipts for the thee years ending 1847-8 £9OB 9 6
Expenditure during the same period...

Excess of the cost of cutting over the value
of the wood .... £G4 18 5

To this estimate should be appended the circum-
stance that s‘rions differences have occurred between
the Crown and the Hereditary Ranger on the sub
ject of their respective rights, and that the " expenses
of the suit" between the said parties " had amounted
in 1 ‘45 to a sum exceeding 7,0001." Yet it is
calculated that this land, if cleared and let, would
produce from 225. to 255. an acre rent; or if sold,
100,0001. The timber on it is valued at 60,0001.,
but no accounts represent the total net income of
the whole property for the last ten years as reach-
ing 1,0001. Waltham Forest may, perhaps, be a
more interesting subject to a Londoner than other
more important hut less contiguous demesnes. The
administration of the Royal estate exhibits a highly-
edifying relic of antiquity. It should possess a Ranger,
but it appears to be altogether unascertainable in
whose person this honour is now vested. It still, how-
ever, boasts a Court of Verderers, four in number ; but
" as these officers are equally divided in opinion upon all
subjects, it was found they could transact no business
at their meetings, and they have therefore ceased
to attempt it by holding any meetings at all."
The result of these complexities has been " sus-
pension of all legal authority" over the district
in question ; but we are greatly inclined to agree
with Mr. Pusey's suggestion, that considering the
opportunities of public recreation afforded by this
tract of land, and the interminable expenses likely
to follow on litigation, it may be inexpedient
to disturb the state into which things have
settled themselves. As much, however, cannot be
said of the other Crown lands. Here are many
thousands of acres, either producing returns ridicu-
lously inadequate to the value of the land, or posi-
tively entailing an annual expense, although it is
clearly certified that if properly managed as planta-
tions they should yield a fair rent; if enclosed,
should be as productive as any other land ; or if sold,
should realise very considerable sums. One of those
alternatives must be adopted without delay, for the
country, when once informed upon the subject, will
assuredly never permit the continuance of matters as
they are.—Times.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
WORSHIP-STREET.

A poor woman, who stated her name to be Murray,
applied to Mr. Arnold for assistance under these
circumstances :

The applicant stated that, in consequence of the
badness of trade in this country, her husband, who
was a shoemaker, was advised by his acquaintances a
short time since to go over to America, where he was
assured he could get plenty of employment, and sup.
port his family in comfort. His friends subi.cribed
together to pay the passage- money, and her husband
ket sail in a merchant vessel, with directions to her to
follow him, with the family, in a few weeks after-
wards; but the next information she heard of him
was that the ship in which he had taken his
passage had been run down by one of the large New
York packets, and that her husband, with several
others, had lost his life in the collision. She applied
to the shipping agents in Change-alley, who con-
firmed the distressing intelligence, and she and her
aye children were now left entirely destitute, and
without any means of support, except 2s. a-week and
loaf or two of bread which the parish overseer was
kind enough to allow her. The applicant handed in
a letter from a lady named Cainplin, of Compton-
terrace, Islington, and a second from a person named
Cooke, head master of a school at which two of her
children had been educated, the writers of both of
which spoke in the highest terms of the woman, her
dead husband, and children, and seconded her applica.
don to the magistrate with much earnestness.
Holland, the warrant-officer, also stated that on
being referred to Mr.lngoldby, a surgeon inllinsbury-
square, to inquire into the facts of the case, he had
done so, and that the character given of the family by
that gentleman was couched in similar terms to those
employed by the schoolmaster and lady mentioned
in the letters produced.
Mr. ARNOLD said that it certainly appeared to be
a very distressing and sudden bereavement, and or-
dered a donation to be presented to the applicant
from the funds of the poor-box, which the poor
woman very thankfully received.
Mr. ARNOLD requests us to acknowledge his receipt
of letters enclosing the following donations :-31.
from a gentleman using the initals " E. M. W." for
the relief of poor families suffering from visitations of
cholera; ss. for an aged woman named Jennings,
whose cruel robbery by her grandson, a watchfinisher,
25 years old, was lately mentioned in this paper; and
1/. from " A Friend to Humanity;" ss. from " J. M."
Birmingham ; 10i. from "S. D." and ss. from Mr.
Hunter, of the Vane Arms, Stockton-upon-Tees, for
the benefit of a working gunsmith named Jones,
whose oppressive treatment by a loan society, under
execution from the Palace Court, we have more
than once noticed. All the benevolent donors expressed
I wish to see an acknowledment of their contributions
in this paper.
CLERKENWELL.

Mary Anne Carney, a pauper girl, inmate of the
Holborn Union-workhouse, Gray's Inn-lane, was
charged by the parish officers under the following
outrageous circumstances :
The board of guardians and other parish officers
were present, and their clerk, Mr. James, attended
and stated the particulars of the case.
The master of the workhouse was called as a wit-
ness, but he could not give a general description of
what took place in the boardroom, when
Mr. James said, that he could tell everything that
occurred. He was then sworn. He stated that on
Thursday morning last the gentlemen forming the
board of guardians assembled in the boardroom for the
purpose of transacting parish business and listening
to the application of paupers. The prisoner, who had
been brought up in the workhouse, and who was an
orphan, had conducted herself in a most violent and
refractory manner, and was in the habit of discharg-
ing herself from the workhouse without permission
from the board. She left the workhouse a short time
ago with a moiety, and returned again in a short time
and remained in the workhouse until Wednesday,
when she wished to discharge herself. Knowing her
violent disposition and temperament, the board deter-
mined on not granting her any money, but they were
willing to let her leave the house ; and she was called
before the gentlemen of the board, as was the usual
custom, to know what she required. She told them
that she wanted to go out of the house.
Mr. Mallett (the chief clerk)—You did not prevent
her going out ? Mr. James—Certainly not ; she
might go, but we would not give her anything, be-
cause we suspected that she wanted it for an improper
purpose. She was in the habit of comiug in and
going out. She is a most violent girl. She has been
brought up and educated in the workhouse. There is
nothing will control her.
Mr. COMBE—Come to the point ; what did she do ?
Mr. James—Why, your Worship, she was called into
the board-room before the gentlemen of the board, and
when she was asked what she wanted, she said " I
want to go out, and a little money." She was re-
fused, and told to go, when she took up a large ink-
stand, peculiarly made- with a plate stand to save the
cloth on the table from the ink, and with a desperate
aim, threw it bang at the head of Mr. Lloyd, one
of the board of guardians. It narrowly escaped
his head, and the ink splashed over all the gentle•
men of the board, and he (Mr. James) did not
escape.
Mr. CO BE told her that he would commit her to
the House of Correction for three months, with hard
labour.

The prisoner—l have been in prison all my life
through them. Where is the good of saying any-
thing here when everybody is against me ? I got a
situation, and wanted two caps which would only
cost 25., and they would not give me anything, but
told me to go out ; and what was Itodo ? I felt
vexed, and knowing that Mr. Lloyd (pointing at
him), that thorough bad man, refused me, I took up
the inkstand and threw it at him.

She was locked up, when
Mr. Lloyd was sworn as to the ass cult.

Two officers were also sworn as to assaults upon
them.

Mr. COMBE directed Nesbitt, the usher, to bring
the prisoner back in order to reverse his decision.
On entering the cell Nesbitt found the prisoner
hanging, and nearly dead. She was brought into the
court helpless, and in a faint state she said to the
parish officers, " You drove my sister to this, and
you'll drive me to it. I won't live."
The prisoner was fined 51. for the assault upon Mr.
Lloyd, or two months' imprisonment, and 605., or
six weeks for the assault upon the officers.