SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL ASPECTS 185 



able.' They make a similar statement, which it is not 

 necessary to quote, as regards wool. 



Thus this second inquiry ended with a report, 

 signed by all the members of the Commission, as 

 completely exonerating deer forests from the charges 

 brought against them as did that of the Select 

 Committee of 1872-73. 



It is right, however, to say that the Royal Com- 

 mission did make a suggestion, in deference, it will be 

 suspected, to public opinion rather than from any 

 hope that a practical way could be found by which to 

 carry it out. They proposed, but in .very guarded, not 

 to say hesitating terms, that the appropriation of land 

 for the purposes of a deer forest might be limited to 

 an altitude not less than 1,000 feet above sea level 

 on the east side of Scotland, and on the western sea- 

 board to a lower level than 1,000 feet. They do not 

 say how much lower it should be in the latter case, 

 while, in order to guard against practical difficulties 

 which might arise, the Commissioners present as an 

 alternative scheme the inspection by a Government 

 officer, with a view to ascertain its adaptability for 

 other uses, of all land which it is proposed to 

 convert into a deer forest. 



Taken together, it is impossible to conceive a 

 more thorough or exhaustive inquiry than that under- 



