vi PREFACE. 



determined opposition before Select Committees of both 

 Houses, has sanctioned a scheme for the regulation of 

 these Commons, under which they will be placed under 

 the control and management of a body of Conservators 

 elected by the ratepayers of the district. It has 

 therefore decided that a Common may be practically 

 taken out of the control and management of the Lord of 

 the Manor and placed under that of an elective body 

 in the interest of the district. 



These two important measures may be considered as 

 having Virtually effected a legal revolution in the re- 

 lation of Lords of Manors and their Commoners to 

 the public with respect to Commons. Tlie fitting 

 occasion, therefore, has arisen for putting on record 

 the history of the movement, and for describing in 

 detail the course of litigation which has had so large 

 a part in forming public opinion and in rendering 

 possible this legislation. 



I should have preferred that some other person 

 than myself should have undertaken this task. But, 

 in fact, of those who were concerned in the initiation 

 of the movement, I find that I am the only survivor, 

 who has continuously taken an active part in directing 

 the policy of the Society for the Preservation of Com- 

 mons, and who is conversant with all its proceedings. 

 I must claim excuse, therefore, if I have occasionally 

 lapsed into a narrative in the first person, and have 

 referred to my own action. 



I have to render special thanks to Sir Eobert Hunter 

 and Mr. Percival Birkett, who were professionally 



