n AMPS TEAT) HEATH. 55 



Sir Spencer Wilson had already advertised his 

 property for building leases, and with a view to 

 this, had converted it into an offensive and unsightly 

 brick-field. It was understood that Lord Mansfield 

 had no idea of selling his Ken Wood property or any 

 part of it ; but he was already of a great age, and his 

 heir, the late Lord Stormont, made no secret of his 

 intention to realise the building value of the land 

 whenever he should come into possession of it. 



Under these circumstances, a Committee of a repre- 

 sentative character was formed early in January, 1884, 

 for the purpose of effecting the enlargement of Hamp- 

 stead Heath by the purchase of as much of the properties 

 of Lord Mansfield and Sir Spencer Wilson as would be 

 possible. The Duke of Westminster was President 

 of this body, and the writer was Chairman of its 

 executive Committee. Among other active members 

 were Mr. Burdett Coutts, Mr. C. E. Maurice, Mr. 

 Harben, Mr. F. E. Baines, C.B., Mr. Robert Hunter, and 

 Miss Octavia Hill. The difficulty of the scheme consisted 

 in effecting an arrangement at the same time with both 

 landowners, and in providing the means for the purchase 

 of a very large amount of land out of funds, more or 

 less of a public character, not under the control of the 

 Committee. Lord Mansfield's property consisted of 348 

 acres, and Sir Spencer Wilson's of CO acres, immediately 

 abutting on the Heath. 



The whole of 1884 and the best part of 1885 were 

 occupied in difficult and delicate negotiations with 

 the two landowners. Sir Spencer Wilson agreed to 



