BANSTEAD COMMONS. 201 



of parties to conduct them, and much to the relief 

 of those who desired to save the whole of the Commons. 

 Lord Egmont at this point, finding that Sir John 

 Hartopp was no longer in a position to carry out any 

 understanding with him, felt himself relieved of any 

 obligation under his uncle's agreement, and transferred 

 his interest to the side of the Commoners. As his 

 property within the Manor consisted of no less than 

 2,000 acres, and his rights of common were propor- 

 tionately extensive, this made a most important accession 

 of strength to the Plaintiffs. About the same time 

 also, Mr. Francis Baring purchased the Banstead Park 

 estate, and became greatly interested in maintaining 

 the Commons. He joined the Committee for their 

 preservation, and contributed largely to their funds. 

 Sir Charles Eussell also bought the Tadworth Court 

 estate in the parish, which gave him interest in the 

 matter, and induced him to join the Committee. 



Thus reinforced, the Committee found itself able 

 to push forward the litigation with energy, and was 

 supported with funds, which had before been greatly 

 wanting. Moreover, Lord Egmont's adherence to the 

 Commoners' cause altogether altered the proportion 

 between the acreage of land to which common rights 

 were attached, and that of the Common. Thence- 

 forward it became absolutely certain that inclosure 

 could no longer be justified under the Statute of 

 Merton. It was hoped indeed that the bankruptcy of 

 Sir John Hartopp would lead to an abandonment of the 

 defence to the suit, and of further attempts at inclosure. 



