SOME VERDERERS, OLD AND NEW 43 



a long time to bring this about, and the law 

 officers were changed at least once during the 

 negotiations, but at last a settlement was effected 

 which, after some little trouble, has worked well 

 enough, and I do not think anyone, of late years, 

 has desired to revive or to hear any more of the 

 "sawing engine case." It is to be hoped that, 

 with the various changes of time, the feelings 

 which led to it have become greatly modified. 



One good effect, however, was produced ; com- 

 promised as it was, this miserable case led to the 

 expenditure of a considerable sum by each side. 



The amount which the verderers had to pay 

 used up nearly all the capital with which they 

 had been started under the Act of 1877, to hold 

 on behalf of the commoners. There was no little 

 disgust among that body when they heard that 

 their capital had vanished. But the lack of 

 funds to fight with had a wonderfully peace- 

 making effect, and was most serviceable in keep- 

 ing the litigious section of the verderers out of 

 court for a time at any rate. 



