HISTORY OF COMMONS. 23 
as detrimental to the interests of the labouring people. 
The Inclosure Commission proceeded on the principle 
that its main function was to facilitate inclosures, 
whether public interests were involved or not. Many 
Commons were undoubtedly extinguished under its 
authority, where no public interest whatever was con- 
cerned by the increase of cultivation or otherwise, and 
where it would have been more to the advantage of the 
public that they should remain cpen. 
Between the years 1845 and 1869, 614,800 acres of 
common land were inclosed under orders approved by 
the Commission, and sanctioned by Parliament in the 
annual Confirmation Acts. Of this great extent only 
4,000 acres were set apart for public purposes—namely, 
1,742 acres for recreation grounds, and 2,220 acres for 
garden allotments for the labouring people. In great 
numbers of cases the provision was miserably scanty 
and inadequate. The plots selected for such purposes 
were often the least suitable, and at a great distance 
from the villages. No regard was had to public 
interests. Commons were often inclosed in the neigh- 
bourhood of towns, where the land was not required or 
suitable for cultivation, and where the interests of the 
public were more concerned in leaving them open for 
the recreation of the people. 
Until, however, about the year 1864 little or no 
public attention was directed to the subject. The annual 
Acts confirming the schemes of the Inclcsure Commis- 
sioners were passed as a matter of course, with very 
rare discussion. The general drift of opinion was still 
