es in the
Forest, in droves of ten or fifteen together, the bells on the horses
merrily jingling as they moved along. Connected with which circumstance
it may be observed that the old roads of the district abound in
horsepools, or watering-places, wherever a spring could be made available
for their supply. At this time the two Mitcheldean toll-bars, situated
on the Gloucester and Monmouth line of road, were let at 250 pounds per
annum. The only link connecting in these respects the past with recent
times was supplied until the last five years by our old friend Mr.
Yearsley's coach, running three times a week between Coleford and
Gloucester.

For the next thirty years the Crown does not seem to have laid out any
money upon the Forest roads, although their condition was so bad that it
was urged as a reason for building churches and schools in the Forest,
those of the surrounding parishes not being readily accessible to the
inhabitants. But in 1828 and the two following years the Roads Trustees
borrowed 5,000 pounds, with which they made the road

Leading from Park End to Bream 1.5 miles.
,, Nail Bridge to Little Dean 3 ,,
,, the White Oak to Lydbrook 1 ,,

besides widening and improving the road through Lydbrook for Bishopswood.
They likewise formed the road

Leading from Berry Hill to 1 mile.
Shortstanding
,, Christ Church to Symmonds 2 ,,
Rock
,, White Oak to Eastbatch Lane .5 ,,
End

when other parts of the roads were also improved.

In 1841 the large sum of 5,000 pounds was expended by the Commissioners
in constructing roads

From Park End to Blakeney 5 miles.
,, Nail Bridge to Mitcheldean 2 ,,
,, Drybrook to the Bailey Lane 1.5 ,,
End
,, Bishop's Wood to Nail 3.5 ,,
Bridge
,, Long Stone, Berry Hill, and 2 ,,
Fetch Pit

To which may be added a short length of road made from the Hawthorns to
the top of the Stenders, by a grant from the Operatives' Relief Fund.
{197}

The total length of the roads comprised within the present limits of the
Forest is 41 miles 3 furlongs 31 yards. The tolls are not let, but
collected in the name of the Commissioners, and yielded, in 1856, as
follows, at their respective gates:--

pounds. _s._ _d._
Moseley 26 18 7
Nibley 97 16 6
Yorkley