EPPIKG FOREST. 149 



wrongfully inclosed by the Lords of Manors, and had been 

 sold or given to other persons, the Commission made the 

 extraordinary proposal that these persons should be 

 quieted in possession of the land thus stolen from the 

 Forest, but that they should be required to pay certain 

 rent-charges towards the fund for managing the remainder 

 of the Forest, which was to be kept open. The effect 

 of this proposal would have been to diminish the 

 area of the Forest by 700 acres, dispersed about, and 

 greatly to interfere with its general aspect and 

 beauty. 



This project gave general dissatisfaction, and as there 

 was reason to fear that the Government, in framing 

 their measure for dealing with the Forest, would act 

 upon it, and would not insist upon the abatement of 

 these inclosures, the Commons Society took early steps 

 to prevent this objectionable part of the scheme being 

 carried into effect. They organised a deputation to the 

 First Commissioner of Works, introduced by the writer, 

 which protested in the strongest manner against the 

 proposal. They indicated their intention to oppose the 

 "whole scheme, if this arrangement should form part of it. 

 They also urged the Corporation of London to resist it. 

 Their view was further supported by the action of Mr. 

 George Burney, an active member of the Society, who 

 was' also a landowner and Commoner in the Forest. 

 He determined, without waiting for the decision of the 

 Government, to take matters into his own hands. 

 With the aid of a large body of men, he forcibly 

 removed the fences from many of the inclosures. 



