HISTORY OF COMMON'S. 23 



as detrimental to the interests of the labouring people. 

 The Inclosure Commission proceeded on the principle 

 that its main function was to facilitate inclosures, 

 whether public interests were involved or not. Many 

 Commons were undoubtedly extinguished under its 

 authority, where no public interest whatever was con- 

 cerned by the increase of cultivation or otherwise, and 

 where it would have been more to the advantage of the 

 public that they should remain (pen. 



Between the years 1845 and 1869, 014,800 acres of 

 common land were inclosed under orders approved by 

 the Commission, and sanctioned by Parliament in the 

 annual Confirmation Acts. Of this great extent only 

 4,000 acres were set apart for public purposes namely, 

 1,742 acres for recreation grounds, and 2,220 acres for 

 garden allotments for the labouring people. In great 

 numbers of cases the provision was miserably scanty 

 and inadequate. The plots selected for such purposes 

 were often the least suitable, and at a great distance 

 from the villages. No regard was had to public 

 interests. Commons were often inclosed in the neigh- 

 bourhood of towns, where the land was not required or 

 suitable for cultivation, and where the interests of the 

 public were more concerned in leaving them open for 

 the recreation of the people. 



Until, however, about the year 1864 little or no 

 public attention was directed to the subject. The annual 

 Acts confirming the schemes of the Inclcsure Commis- 

 sioners were passed as a matter of course, with very 

 rare discussion. The general drift of opinion was still 



