47 
CHAPTER IV. 
Hampstead Heratu. 
Tue first case of attempted inclosure which the Society 
had to grapple with was that of Hampstead Heath: 
perhaps the most important of all the London Com- 
mons, not by reason of its size, but from its position, 
and its natural beauties, and salubrity, which make it 
more popular and frequented than any other. On 
Bank Holidays it is often visited by over 100,000 
persons, and is most inconveniently crowded. It con- 
sisted in 1868, before the addition of Parliament Hill, 
of not more than 240 acres, but these were so dispersed, 
that the Heath appeared to be much larger. From its 
great height above London, it enjoys healthy breezes, and 
presents beautiful views over the surrounding country. 
The Manor of Hampstead, of which the Heath is 
the waste, is conterminous with the Parish. It is 
mentioned in Domesday Book as having always 
belonged to the Abbot and Convent of Westminster. 
It remained in these hands till the dissolution of the 
religious houses by Henry VIII., who granted it to 
Sir Thomas North, from whom it passed through 
various hands, by descent or purchase, till it became, 
in 1743, the property of the Maryon family, the 
ancestors of the present owner, Sir Spencer Maryon 
Wilson, of Charlton. His predecessor in the title, Sir 
