Punch,  58 (1870), 171.

Farewell to the New Forest

An Old Badger

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Environmentalism, Industry, Pollution, Human Development, Progress


    Responding to proposals to enclose the New Forest, Hampshire, the poet expresses the hope that he will die before mammon reigns 'sole master' and the 'Flowers and verdure all have fled'. Believes the 'blithe and blooming' land of 'Merry England' is fast becoming a 'Land of Philistines' with 'factory chimneys' and model farms. Thinks that if advocates of the enclosure were turned into 'forms of sordid swine' they would appreciate 'that Hampshire forest fair'. Wonders whether 'Business men of pudding head' have pondered William Shakespeare's value, and laments that 'drear and sooty' England will no longer be able to grow 'a race of nobler men'. Concludes with further morose reflections on the ill-effects of 'a great progressive nation' on the woodlands.



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