TOWN COMMON 
now generally disappeared, and may be entirely forgotten. In 
a number of instances they were simply common pasture lands on 
which livestock could be kept, and especially on which the live- 
stock might be assembled at night so that they would not be run 
off by the Indians. The idea of providing a central parcel of ground 
for such common use was undoubtedly the primary purpose in a 
large number of cases. 
A little later came the use of the common as a military drill 
ground. Military service was practically universal and military 
practice frequent. On training days the common was the center 
of animated doings. Add a lot of gay flirtation and hard drinking 
to the military manoeuvres and the picture gains in truth and com- 
pleteness. This use of the town common diminished rapidly after 
1812, but was revived again in some places in 1861. 
Historically the next use to which town commons was generally 
given was the local fair or cattle show. In a very few instances 
the annual fair still uses the common, though under increasing 
protest. 
At the present time public sentiment has quite other ideals as 
to the purpose of the common, though these ideals are seldom as 
clearly formulated as might be desired. The common is understood 
to be a sort of sacred ground, though nobody may be able to tell 
why nor for just what uses it is reserved. 
First of all the modern town common is a civic beauty spot. 
Nothing adds charm, dignity, and distinction to the New England 
town more emphatically than a good, well-kept common. While 
many persons affect an attitude of indifference to a mere question 
of looks, all good citizens really have a very substantial pride in 
such matters. Everybody likes to have his home town appear to 
good advantage in the eyes of visitors, and indeed most men and 
women find for themselves a real personal satisfaction in the at- 
tractiveness of their home surroundings. 
The common has become, in a majority of towns, a modern 
civic center. The principal civic buildings, such as the town hall, 
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