ITS HISTORY 



a committee, called the " Epping Forest Com- 

 mittee," which has all the powers of the conserva- 

 tors, and which consists of twelve members of the 

 Court of Common Council and four verderers, 

 resident within the Forest, to be elected by the 

 commoners. A superintendent has since been 

 appointed, and a staff of twelve keepers preserve 

 order in their respective beats. The section of 

 the Act which concerns us most, and which ought 

 to be written in letters of gold, is that which pro- 

 vides that the Forest is to remain for ever " as an 

 open space for recreation and enjoyment." This 

 is probably the first time that the public right of 

 the use of open spaces has been recognised in 

 law. That it is fully appreciated is shown by the 

 increasing numbers who annually visit what is 

 theirs by inalienable right. 



It remains only to say one word as to the future 

 of this beautiful woodland. The Act provides 

 that "the conservators shall at all times as far as 

 possible preserve the natural aspect of the Forest." 

 Such a reminder was perhaps hardly needed. 

 The body to whom this charge has been com- 

 mitted are fully impressed with the importance of 

 providing, for those who live the artificial life of 

 our great city, the means of studying nature where 

 it is unrestrained by art. If there were any fear of 

 their forgetting this, it is probable that they would 

 hear of it from the Essex Field Club — a society 

 which comprises some hundreds of members more 

 or less interested in natural history, and who bring 

 to bear a vigorous public opinion in favour of the 

 preservation of all the wild life which finds a home 

 in the "waste." It is in its varied aspects that 

 the greatest refreshment is to be found for the eye 



